Fathers from around the state gathered at October's Fatherhood Convening. Patrick Dowd, father advocate and Washington State ombudsman, facilitated the event. |
Bringing Fathers to the Table in Washington State
Participants from across the state gathered in October to discuss ways to strengthen and support fathers’ involvement with their children and with the child welfare system.
Jason Gonzales, a veteran father from Grays Harbor County, shares his experience of the convening.
Read more about the project in King County that is providing peer support and services to non-resident fathers of children in the child welfare system.
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Spotlight on Housing
The need for safe and affordable housing is of critical importance to PAC members. Housing was identified as a policy priority at the PAC’s first Birth Parent Convening in November 2008. Every parent in the room identified with it and it remains a PAC priority today.
Housing affects families at each decision point in the child welfare continuum. Research validates the personal experiences shared by parents, demonstrating that children from families with housing problems are more likely to be investigated by CPS and to be placed in out-of-home care, and they will remain in foster care for a longer period of time than will other children.
Fortunately, our child welfare and housing systems are beginning to recognize the need to work together to improve outcomes for children and families. Catalyst for Kids and the Washington State network of Parent Advocacy Committees are among the leaders addressing this important issue.
Learn more about the Family Unification Program, a program-based Section 8 Housing opportunity for families involved in the child welfare system.
Thanks to a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Catalyst for Kids, Parent Advocacy Committees in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties will be working to strengthen the collaboration between the child welfare and housing systems.
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Washington State PAC Prioritizes Parents' Rights
At its January 10 meeting, the Washington State PAC adopted the rights of parents developed by Rise Magazine as the foundation for their advocacy work, tweaking a few to meet local circumstance and prioritizing those that will guide their work for 2011.
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A Story of Change
Jeremiah Donier shares his emotional two-year journey through the child welfare system, how he brought his family back together and how he see things differently now.
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Jeremiah and his daughters |
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IN THIS ISSUE
Bringing Fathers to the Table in Washington State
Fathering Our Children ~ Shaping Their Futures: 2010 Fatherhood Convening
A Father's View of the Convening
King County Fathers Engagement Project featured in this month's Children's Bureau Express
Spotlight on Housing
Making housing a priority
What is the Family Unification Program?
Housing/Child Welfare System Collaboration
Washington State PAC Prioritizes Parents Rights
Parent rights guide PAC work for 2011
A Story of Change
One parent’s story:
An ‘emotional monster’ no more
Policy Update
Helpful Links
WSPAC Mission
The mission of the Washington State Parent Advocacy Committee is to maintain and/or safely reunite children with their parents or other relatives. It brings the parent voice into the development of child welfare policy and practice; promotes improved and equitable outcomes for all children and parents regardless of their race, gender, or circumstance; and advocates for parent leadership in the direct service, training, and public awareness activities that strengthen and support those families.
Kudos
Special thanks to contributing writers: Jeremiah Donier, Jason Gonzales, Irene Hauzinger, Laurie Lippold
Editor:Cydney Gillis
Design: Mariko Ohiso
Production:
Mariko Ohiso
Nancy Roberts-Brown
Contact Us
For more information about the Washington State Parent Advocacy Committee, email:
For information about our newsletter or to submit a story to People Change, Families Reunite, email Mariko Ohiso or 206.695.3238
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