Child Welfare

Coverage of child protection, dependency proceedings, foster care, parental rights termination, and child welfare system policies and cases

State Government

Washington Legislature Knocks Out Key Social and Health Bills in Fiscal Deadline Fallout

Several high‑profile Washington bills—including proposals on psilocybin therapy, campus medication abortion, and short‑term rental taxes—were killed by Monday’s fiscal‑committee cutoff, highlighting how budget constraints continue to stall progressive reforms in Olympia.

The Feed

Feb 13, 2026

State Government

Washington State Senate Unanimously Approves SB 5977 to Boost Transparency in Child Welfare Reporting

Washington’s Senate has unanimously passed SB 5977, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, to require public reporting of child near‑fatality reviews by DCYF—closing a long-standing transparency gap in how serious child welfare incidents are disclosed.

The Feed

Feb 13, 2026

Courts and Justice

Oregon Boy Remains in Foster‑Care Limbo as Law Blocks Kinship Placement

A 9‑year‑old Oregon foster child remains in state custody despite his grandparents being fully licensed and ready to care for him. Lawmakers are questioning how a 2020 law meant to curb institutional abuse ended up blocking family reunification.

The Feed

Feb 12, 2026

Public Safety

Fire Damages St. Helens Fire Training Center; Investigation Ongoing

Columbia River Fire & Rescue crews contained a fire at St. Helens’ Lee Broadbent Training Center early Monday morning, after an ambulance ignited inside the station’s bay. Several vehicles were damaged, and the cause remains under investigation.

The Feed

Feb 12, 2026

Columbia Countercurrent

Child Welfare

Washington Legislature Knocks Out Key Social and Health Bills in Fiscal Deadline Fallout

Washington State Senate Unanimously Approves SB 5977 to Boost Transparency in Child Welfare Reporting

Oregon Boy Remains in Foster‑Care Limbo as Law Blocks Kinship Placement

Fire Damages St. Helens Fire Training Center; Investigation Ongoing

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Child Welfare

Washington Legislature Knocks Out Key Social and Health Bills in Fiscal Deadline Fallout

Washington State Senate Unanimously Approves SB 5977 to Boost Transparency in Child Welfare Reporting

Oregon Boy Remains in Foster‑Care Limbo as Law Blocks Kinship Placement

Fire Damages St. Helens Fire Training Center; Investigation Ongoing

Trending Now

Recent Updates

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Washington State Senate Unanimously Approves SB 5977 to Boost Transparency in Child Welfare Reporting