The Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which oversees the state’s foster care system, celebrated a milestone last week:

The number of children in foster care has dipped below 5,000. That’s down significantly from 9,171 kids in foster care in 2018 – a reduction of more than 50% in six years. 

This is seen as progress among experts who have pushed for states nationwide to keep children with their parents whenever possible. Splitting up families can do lasting harm to kids and disproportionately affects people of color. 

But critics of the approach say the policy shift has created a situation where the state may be leaving children in harmful situations too long, especially when parents struggle with addiction or mental health issues. 

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Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Guests:

• Nina Shapiro, social issues reporter at the Seattle Times

Relevant Links:

• Seattle Times: Why WA’s foster care system is shrinking fast
• Seattle Times: Is Washington state taking too many children from their parents? Movement seeks to overhaul foster care