About Us

The WACF strives to improve practice and connect organizations. It provides agencies with a unified voice by building collaboration and community among its members, working towards the same goal, and offering training and technical assistance to create best practices among private agencies.

The Washington Association for Children & Families (WACF) is a collaborative network of individuals and organizations committed to uplifting children, youth, and families across Washington State. We unite community partners and service providers to champion their cause, strengthen systems of care, and drive meaningful, lasting change.

Since 2018, WACF has been managed by Executive Director, Jill May, M.S.W., along with a diverse Board of Directors who are responsible for ensuring that the mission, values, and principles of WACF are carried out in its day-to-day operations. 

WACF informs and engages its members and partners through training and technical assistance.

These efforts aim to create a proactive approach to supporting families no matter how their unique needs evolve.

WACF works with member agencies to support advocacy efforts at an administrative and legislative level.

Each initiative is focused on providing critical services for families and children. Those services can range from preventing family removal to youth who are at risk of and have aged out of foster care. The goal is to ensure children and families' safety, permanency, and well-being.

Dozens of member agencies partner with WACF, demanding an active effort to promote collaboration and communication.

WACF is committed to driving these collaborative efforts. Our goal is to ensure that children and families can rely on the benefits of a network of allies.

The mission... The Washington Association for Children & Families (WACF) is dedicated to strengthening practice and fostering connection across child-serving organizations.

We unite private agencies under a shared voice, cultivating collaboration and community among members. Through targeted training, technical assistance, and collective advocacy, we promote best practices that elevate care and outcomes for children, youth, and families across Washington State.

Founded in 2012, the Washington Association for Children & Families is a non-profit association (Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) of child welfare providers working to strengthen families and champion bright futures for children across Washington State.

The Washington Association for Children & Families (WACF) is a statewide coalition of private agencies working together to strengthen the systems that support children, youth, and families. We serve as a unified voice for our members, advocating for effective policies, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration across the child welfare landscape. 

WACF partners with its member agencies to drive innovation, deliver training and technical support, and foster meaningful collaboration across the child welfare sector. Together, we amplify a unified voice to advocate for the well-being of children, youth, and families throughout Washington State.

  • Advocate for Change: We champion policies that promote safety, stability, and well-being for children and families.

  • Build Community: We connect agencies, leaders, and partners to share knowledge, resources, and support.

  • Elevate Practice: Through training, technical assistance, and peer learning, we help agencies deliver high-quality, culturally responsive services.

  • Lead with Equity: We are committed to inclusive, equitable systems that honor the dignity and potential of every child and family.

Whether you're a service provider, policymaker, funder, or advocate, WACF is here to partner with you in creating a stronger, more compassionate Washington.

Families—of every shape, size, and background are the threads that hold our communities together. The relationships between parents, children, youth, grandparents, extended relatives, and chosen family form the foundation of a healthy, thriving society.

Yet too often, families facing hardship are overlooked or underserved. When these vital bonds are strained or broken, the consequences can be profound and lasting.

At WACF, we believe every family in Washington deserves the support, resources, and respect they need to flourish. Families deserve a voice in the systems that affect them—and a network of allies committed to building a safer, more compassionate future.

We’re building that network. Together, we’re shaping a future where every child and family has the opportunity to thrive and where the organizations that serve them are equipped to do so for generations to come.

Our Impact

Diversity & Inclusion

At WACF, we believe that diversity is not just a value it’s a vital strength. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community where every voice is heard, respected, and empowered. Our member agencies serve children, youth, and families from all walks of life, and we recognize that equitable outcomes require intentional representation, cultural humility, and shared learning. We strive to dismantle barriers and build bridges across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and lived experience. By cultivating belonging and embracing diverse perspectives, we strengthen our collective capacity to advocate, innovate, and lead with integrity. Together, we work toward a future where every child and family can thrive in a system that honors their dignity and potential.

Unified Voice

  • A collective voice allows us to focus the strength of our diverse membership on specific initiatives. When faced with important issues and difficult decisions, we take clear and straightforward positions that represent the voices of all members.

  • Whenever we communicate, it is our goal to inspire, educate, and motivate others to take direct action that supports Washington State families.

  • With clear communication and a unified voice, we apply accepted standards of practice across the continuum of care. Aligning in this way allows WACF’s members to work together more effectively.

Collaborative Community

  • Just like the families we support, we thrive when we are working together. Collaboration allows us to utilize the talents and resources of our incredibly diverse community.

  • Bringing these perspectives together to address a problem leads to more innovative solutions that represent all Washington families. WACF relies on lively debate, thoughtful discussion, and clear communication practices to ensure that all agencies are heard and acknowledged.

  • Through this process, we ensure that we are responding to the unique needs of children and families that work directly with specific member agencies.