May is National Foster Care Month

In 1912, the United States created the Children’s Bureau to oversee child welfare and foster care. It was the first federal agency within the U.S. government to focus on children and families. Prior, child welfare and foster care services were largely conducted privately. At its inception, the Children’s Bureau was also tasked with looking at infant mortality, the birth rate, juvenile courts, and child labor.

The Children’s Bureau was responsible for developing and publishing the Minimum Standards of Child Welfare in 1919 and Foster-Home Care for Dependent Children in 1923. Later, the Children’s Bureau oversaw the temporary placement of over 8,000 children who had been evacuated to the U.S. during World War II. In 1970, the Children’s Bureau created The Rights of Foster Parents, which was discussed by participants at the first National Conference of Foster Parents in 1971. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating May as National Foster Care Month, to “demonstrate our esteem and appreciation for those who devotedly and selflessly share their lives with foster children…”.

In Washington State today, there are over 10,000 predominantly school-aged children living with relatives or foster parents, in group homes, shelters, or independently under supervision. Over 2,000 of them are waiting to be adopted. In 2005, the Washington State Supreme Court issued the first order establishing the Commission on Children in Foster Care, which collaborates with child welfare programs to meet the needs of foster care families. The same year, the Commission sponsored the state’s first National Adoption Day, which occurs annually in November.

The Washington State Law Library’s collection includes family law materials and research tools for further study of foster care and adoptions. State Law Library staff put together a short list of online legal resources to commemorate National Foster Care Month:

· Changes were recently made to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) chapters 388–145 Group Care Facilities and 388–148 Foster Homes. The new language will be available on the legislative website by June.

· Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Children’s Administration, Becoming a Foster Parent

· DSHS, Foster Parenting Resources

· DSHS, Driver’s Assistance Program

· Washington Law Help, Family Law Section

· National Center for State Courts (NCSC), Judicial Leadership and Improving Child Protection Outcomes (LE)