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What's New:

Resource Centers Help Families Hit Hard by the EconomyCHSW's Family Resource Centers offer "one stop shopping" for families in need in five communities throughout Washington. These essential centers allow children and families to access a number of different, vital services.
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Purchase holiday gifts and support kidsFor nearly 15 years, Simply Northwest, a Spokane based gift basket and specialty item business, has partnered with CHSW. They contribute 15% of sales on select items back to the CHSW programs that support Washington kids and families. In the last 5 years, Simply Northwest has generously given almost $100,000 to CHSW.
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Northwest Area Foundation poll shows families struggle with basic needsIn a recent poll conducted by the Northwest Area Foundation, more than half of Washington State residents reported a permanent downward change in spending habits, and nearly a third of households have experienced unemployment or have difficulty paying for necessities
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Child welfare programs to face possible budget cuts in 2010

Several budget reductions to the state's child welfare programs are slated to take place early in 2010, possibly as soon as January. The reductions would have a damaging impact on the following programs:

Responsible Living Skills Program that provides permanent placement settings and independent living skills to dependent youth, ages 14 – 18. Cuts to this program may leave children without a stable, long term place to live;
Home Based Services for families whose children are at risk for foster care placement or are in need of reunification from foster care;
Family Preservation Services that are geared towards ensuring that children can safely remain in their homes or return home.

We have also heard that budget cuts early in the year would reduce funding for family foster care payments, intensive out-of-home care services, and Medicaid treatment child care.

While not all of the reductions will affect CHSW's programs, the services children and families receive from partner agencies will suffer.

For the sake of our children, now is the time for our voices to be heard.

What you can do to help

Contact your local legislator urging them to preserve these and other critical programs in one of the following ways:

Call the Washington State Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message expressing your concern around the possible cuts.
Find out who your local legislator is and send them a letter or email using the sample letter copy.
Send a letter or email to Governor Gregoire.

Governor Chris Gregoire
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
E-mail:

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