YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Caregiver Support Program for Caregivers of Foster Youth in South King County

The YMCA of Greater Seattle has been licensing foster parents and providing therapeutic foster care services in King County for over 35 years. In partnership with the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), we’re excited to announce the Caregiver Support Program—available to all caregivers supporting youth in the child welfare system in South King County, with DCYF social worker involvement.

This program offers tailored support to meet the specific needs of the young person placed in the caregiver's home. The goal is to remove barriers that might disrupt a stable, successful placement. A dedicated Placement Support Manager works closely with each family, creating a Caregiver Support Plan that identifies gaps in services and connects caregivers to essential resources like community programs, school advocacy, healthcare referrals, parenting skills development, and respite care.

At the Y, we understand the critical role caregivers play in ensuring a safe and stable home for youth in the welfare system. Every caregiver deserves support, and our team of experienced professionals is here to ensure that support is accessible and effective. We've seen firsthand how comprehensive services can ease the stress on families and lead to successful placements.

Eligibility & Enrollment

Caregivers eligible for the Caregiver Support Program are referred directly by DCYF. Once referred, a Placement Support Manager will reach out to coordinate services via phone or email. If you believe you qualify, please contact your DCYF Social Worker, or reach out to us directly at caregiversupport@seattleymca.org.

Support Services for Caregivers

Support is divided into two levels—Basic and Enhanced Caregiver Support Services—determined by DCYF based on the youth’s needs. Those requiring additional support may also be eligible for Case Aide Services.

Basic Support Services

For caregivers eligible for basic support, services include:

• Education Advocacy: Connect with education advocacy coordinators for school-aged youth.
• Healthcare Coordination: Help with navigating services like Apple Health, Indian Health Services, and dental care.
• Childcare Access: Assistance with finding childcare or early childhood programs, including Tribal Early Head Start and ECEAP.
• Parenting Support: Tailored resources and training to enhance parenting skills.
• Culturally Relevant Services: Identification of culturally specific services for caregivers.
• Adulthood Planning: Support for planning the transition to adulthood for youth.
• Crisis Support: 24/7 crisis phone support and coaching.
• Respite Care: Help in locating and scheduling respite care.
• Case Aide Coordination: Assistance with case aide services for youth needing Level 3 Caregiver support.

Enhanced Caregiver Support Services

For caregivers who qualify for enhanced services, additional support is provided, including:

• School Support: Help with school-related needs.
• Healthcare Coordination: Ongoing assistance with Apple Health and Indian Health Services.
• Parenting Support: Expanded resources and training to address specific challenges.
• Crisis Support: 24/7 on-call crisis planning, phone coaching, and in-person support when needed.
• Respite Care: Coordinated respite care services.
• Supervision Plans: Assistance with creating and implementing supervision plans for youth.
• Case Aide Coordination: Coordination of case aide services as required.

Case Aide Services

Case Aide Services offer trauma-informed, direct support to youth whose behaviors or developmental needs require additional help. These services are available to youth receiving Enhanced Caregiver Support Services and focus on:

• Behavioral Support: Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the youth.
• Protective Supervision: Providing the necessary supervision as outlined in the child’s service and supervision plan.
• Positive Behavioral Support: Using supportive strategies to encourage skill development.
• Healthcare Support: Timely assessment of ongoing or suspected medical conditions to manage behavioral expectations.

Additional Resources for Caregivers

We also encourage caregivers to explore these helpful resources for additional support:

• Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Caregiver Supports Project
• Alliance Cares
• Amara Family Connections