Catalyst for Kids is a statewide partnership of public and private stakeholders who understand that the welfare of children is an interest of the entire community and who collaborate to advance and support strategic reforms of the child welfare system.

Work to ensure child safety, permanency and well-being is complex and far-reaching. Among both public and private sectors, coordinated efforts to achieve these goals are ongoing. Yet much work remains. External assessments of the state?s child welfare system, including the federal Child and Family Services Review and the Gomez Child Fatality Review, as well as the Children?s Administration?s internal audit of its service delivery and stewardship systems, reveal continuing need for systems improvement. Most recently, the Settlement of the Braam v. DSHS lawsuit articulates key areas in which DSHS must better address the needs of youth in foster care. All of these events contributed to the development of a comprehensive plan for revitalizing and improving the child welfare system in Washington State: Kids Come First Phase II: Safe Kids in Healthy Families.

While endorsing and supporting the entire Kids Come First Phase II plan, the Catalyst for Kids Leadership prioritized three areas for joint planning and advocacy. One criterion was not to duplicate existing advocacy efforts. We also selected areas that require cross-system attention to make the needed improvements. Within each of these priorities we are strongly committed to reducing the disproportionate number of children of color in the child welfare system.

Each link below provides a brief, illustrative discussion of the status of each of these priorities, progress made and work to be done. We encourage public and private partners to join with us in support of these and related endeavors.

Increase early engagement of parents in services and active involvement in decision-making.

Increase the array of effective, timely, culturally competent services.

Improve the safety, well-being and permanency outcomes for adolescents.