Dependency Practice Tips

High-potency synthetic opioids (HPSO), like fentanyl, pose serious risks in child welfare involved families. In 2024, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released Public Health Guidance on High Potency Synthetic Opioids in response to the legislative mandate passed in SB 6109. Check out this Dependency Practice Tip infographic to learn more about HPSOs and

The purpose of the fact-finding timeline is to help ensure timely resolution of cases. Check out this Dependency Practice Tip infographic to learn about the importance of timely fact-finding hearings and newly created court codes for tracking exceptional circumstance findings.

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress instability that accompany forced removal by child welfare. Check out this Dependency Practice Tip infographic to learn how child dependency courts can help ensure smooth transitions and reduce developmental harm.

This infographic contains information about Protein for ALL, which helps alleviate the stress and anxiety that families involved with child welfare often experience by offering high protein snacks. Click to learn more.

This infographic contains general information about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) in WA and was adapted from content contained within the Washington State Court Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Classification Bench Book and Resource Guided, created by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Click to learn more.

This infographic contains ten recommendations that judicial officers can use to help ensure adequate findings of fact in child dependency and termination cases.  Full guide created by retired Judge Beth Andrus and retired Judge Helen Halpert.

This infographic provides information on how dependency courts can better engage with Lived Experience Experts (LEEs) and meaningfully include them in systems change efforts.

This infographic provides information on the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program which provides an opportunity for young adults who were a dependent of Washington State at age 18, to voluntarily agree to continue receiving foster care services.

This infographic provides information on the complex needs of women who are pregnant or post-partum and have a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), along with resources that support dependency court systems in improving outcomes for these families.

This infographic provides information on the initial licensing process for relative and suitable other caregivers created by the Keeping Families Together Act (HB 1227).

Data is an essential component of child dependency court systems. This infographic provides a brief overview of the importance of using accurate data in dependency court system improvement, along with the data sources available to courts that allow access to performance metrics and case-level data.

Students in foster care face significant educational challenges and have worse outcomes than peers on every academic measure, including achievement, attendance, and graduation. This infographic provides a brief overview of dependency law in WA and the resources available to support dependency court judicial officers.

In recent years, the WA Supreme Court has handed down a number of decisions that have added additional clarification and guidance to the practice of reasonable and active efforts. This infographic focuses on these significant decisions and how they impact practice in dependency court communities.

The co-occurrence of domestic violence and family involvement in the child dependency system can take many different forms. This infographic contains information on how dependency courts can effectively address domestic violence within child dependency cases.

The eligibility standards, procedures, and available support for the child and family differ between types of minor guardianship (Title 11 vs. Title 13). Understanding these intricacies helps courts more effectively and efficiently engage families in the guardianship process.  Check out this infographic on the basics of minor guardianship in WA and the importance of kinship

One of the most underutilized, and undervalued, tools to address these backlogs is the use of settlement conferences to resolve termination cases without the need for trial. Not only does this tactic help decrease case backlogs – it often results in less trauma to the family and decreases time to permanency for children.

ICWA is vitally important to Native children and families. When ICWA is applied properly it helps lead to better outcomes. ICW Courts are dedicated dockets of child welfare hearings involving Native children.

For many judicial officers, large workloads and complex cases can make giving each family enough time and attention feel impossible. Effective docket management can make a real difference in the ability to engage families and children, make informed decisions, and strengthen dependency systems.

The role of the dependency court judge involves leadership responsibilities including on-the-bench judicial leadership via strong judicial oversight of cases and off-the-bench leadership which involves working with court, system, and community stakeholders to address the needs of the children and families who appear before the court. 

HB 1194 makes significant changes to the court’s role in ordering visitation with the goal of providing the maximum parent, child, and sibling contact possible, while keeping the child safe. A statute-by-statute overview of these changes is provided, along with resources and implementation information.

Over 5,700 Washington State children and youth in out-of-home care will be starting school soon – in person, online, or with a combination of both.  For all students and families, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the stability and routine that school provides, along with important social connections to friends and teachers.  For children and youth

In-Person Family Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic Family Time and Washington’s Pandemic Response to Date In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, Governor Inslee signed Proclamation 20-33 on March 26, 2020, waiving RCW 13.34.136 family time visit requirements that DCYF provide the “maximum” contact “possible” and permitting the Department to limit, but not entirely suspend,

June is National Reunification Month. Last year eighteen counties held Family Reunification Celebrations. This year we face many difficult realities. Although they may look different this year, a county’s reunification day can serve as an opportunity to instill hope and remind us all why we do this work.  Please consider organizing a Family Reunification Celebration

Early engagement of parents in dependency cases is important for successful reunification, however, parents often feel blame and shame as they deal with the trauma of removal and find it difficult to trust those working in the child welfare system.  Some of you are aware of Parents for Parents (P4P), which is an early engagement