Office of Innovation, Alignment, and Accountability: Addressing Foster Parent Complaints and Concerns. Report to the Washington State Legislature

This report is prepared in compliance with HB 1661 Sec 104(2)(k), which requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF, or the Department) Office of Innovation, Alignment, and Accountability (OIAA) to submit to the Governor and the appropriate policy and appropriation committees of the Legislature: (1) A review of the current process for addressing foster parent complaints and concerns through the Department and through the office of the family and children's ombuds established in chapter 43.06A RCW that includes an examination of any deficiencies of the current system; and (2) Recommendations for expanding, modifying, and enhancing the current system for addressing individual foster parent complaints to improve child welfare, the experience of foster parents, and the overall functioning of the child welfare system. This report provides a broad review of the processes in place for the Department to learn of, and respond to, foster parent concerns; and a brief review of data on foster parent complaints and concerns. In addition, it summarizes steps the Department is taking to enhance system responsiveness to foster parent concerns.