HELPFUL RESOURCES
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All foster parents (and individuals living in the home over age 16) are required to train in CPR/First Aid. Your training must include an in-person portion for CPR, and must cover infant, child, and adult CPR. Keep the Beat offers free classes to foster parents, and also meets the requirement for HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training.
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Fostering Together provides a variety of resources for foster parents. We encourage you to browse their website for resources, trainings, and support groups.
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The DCYF (formerly DSHS) contact directory is a great way to track down information for state social workers and supervisors.
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Looking for free/low-cost kids activities in Whatcom? Whatcom Kid Insider is an incredible resource!
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Looking for free/low-cost kids activities in Skagit? Skagit Kid Insider is an incredible resource!
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
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Intake Hotline: 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276)
For reports of suspected abuse or neglect
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Youthnet Emergency On-Call Support: (360) 421-2049
Traditional Foster Care Program
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Youthnet Emergency On-Call Support: (360) 202-7765
Therapeutic Foster Care Program
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
All foster parents are required to participate in relevant training each year. This is a great opportunity to gain parenting skills, better understand the effects of trauma, and meet other local foster parents. Here are some suggestions that might fit your training plan. As a reminder, if you wish to participate in a training that doesn't fit your training plan, please send us an email prior to signing up to make sure you will receive credit. Alliance provides many local and online trainings specific to foster care. Sign up to receive email updates about upcoming trainings in your area.
- So You Have Your First Placement, Now What? - Online webinar, 3 hours
- Multi-ethnic Placement Act (MEPA): What Caregivers Need to Know - Online, 0.5 hours
- Prudent Parenting - Online, 0.75 hours
- Youth Missing From Care - Online, 1.0 hour
- Parent-Child Visitation - Online, 0.75 hour
- Medication Administration for Caregivers - Online, 0.5 hours
- Mandatory Reporting Toolkit - Online, 0.75 hours
- Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act - Online, 3.0 hours
- Identifying and Supporting Commercially Sexually Exploited Children - Online,1.5 hours
- Infant Safety & Care - Online, 3 hours
- Effects of Abuse and Neglect on Child Development - Online, 3.0 hours
FORMS FOR CURRENT FOSTER PARENTS
Traditional Foster Care Program
Therapeutic Foster Care Program
Incident Report Forms - Please notify Youthnet immediately and submit IR within 24 hours
BACKGROUND FORMS
If you're planning to have a new household member over the age of 16 (for any length of time), a visitor for more than 7 days, or if you're planning to hire a nanny (caring for your children frequently, at least once a week), please submit these forms and a copy of their driver's license to your Youthnet licensor. These forms must be submitted immediately, and foster children cannot be left unsupervised with these individuals until their background clearance is received. Background clearances usually take 1-3 months to process.
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This form pairs with the Background Form. This form is required, even if you have not lived out of state within the past five years.
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This form pairs with the Background and Out-of-State forms.
Household members over 18 (and household members over 16 who will be providing babysitting) and nannies will also need to provide a copy of their driver's license, auto insurance, TB test, and current CPR/First Aid training.
