The Children’s Administration (CA) is the public child welfare agency for the state of Washington. CA staff work with children and their families to identify their needs and develop a plan for services that support families and ensure the safety and well being of their children. These services are designed to reduce the risk of abuse, find safe alternatives to out of home placement, and ensure safety and permanency for children in out of home care. CA’s core services focus on the following: Child Protective Services (CPS)—an investigation of allegations of abuse or neglect that must be conducted within a certain period of time; Family Assessment Response—a differential CPS response to low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect that is a voluntary option for families who qualify; Child and Family Welfare Services—working with the families and children in out of home care to reunify them or to find other permanent options for the children; and Licensed Resources—licensing foster homes, completing home studies for relatives, and investigating alleged violations of licensing standards as well as allegations of abuse or neglect by licensed providers. The Governor proposes combining the Department of Social and Health Services Children’s Administration program and the Department of Early Learning into the Department of Child, Youth, and Family Services effective July 1, 2018.

To transform lives by protecting children and promoting healthier families through strong practice and strong partnerships with the community and tribes.