WACF works with its members to spearhead new initiatives, coordinate collaboration and conversation between agencies, and speak with a unified voice on the behalf of children, youth, and families.
Join our diverse and inclusive network of member agencies in collaboration, communication, improved service delivery, and mutual support among organizations.
Join us! We have three options for participation:
Dues for full voting Organizational Members are determined by annual child welfare expenses (excluding pass-through payments to foster parents, if applicable) and are recalculated annually. Child welfare expenses are agency expenses related to child welfare services. These include: foster care, group care, visitation, family preservation & support services, and independent living skills. It does not include: early learning, home visiting, child mental health, community mental health, homeless family prevention & intervention support services.
Self-reported annual child welfare expenses | x.005 |
Minimum | $1000 |
Maximum | $15,000 |
Partnering Organizations | $500 |
Supporting Organizations | $350 |
The Association year begins on July 1, and ends on June 30, of each year. Agencies joining the association later in the year will have dues prorated. Once your application has been approved you will receive an invoice.
Members of WACF can receive:
Family Preservation & Support Services (FPSS) Division — When families are separated, it creates lifelong trauma for children, youth, and parents. WACF supports agencies that provide in-home and community-based services to families, with the goal of stabilizing families to prevent children from entering more intensive services, including out-of-home care.
Child Placing Agencies (CPA) Division — There are more than 8,000 children in out-of-home care in Washington State. WACF supports private, community-based foster care agencies that recruit, license, train, and support foster families. CPAs work collaboratively with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to ensure timely permanency.
Intensive Services (IS) Division — WACF works with agencies that provide Behavioral Rehabilitation Services, Crisis Residential Centers, HOPE beds, Regional Assessment Centers, therapeutic foster care, and other services designed to serve children, youth, and their families with multidimensional and complex needs.
Independent Living (IL) Division — WACF supports agencies that provide Independent Living Services across the State of Washington. These services are designed to assist youth and young adults ages 15 - 23 in making the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency.