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Zarate v. Washington PERC - Unfair Labor Practice Claim Affirmed

The Washington Court of Appeals, Division III affirmed the Public Employment Relations Commission's order in favor of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in an unfair labor practice claim brought by Silvia Zarate. The court rejected Ms. Zarate's arguments that PERC misapplied the law, lacked substantial evidence, and failed to address her due process claim, finding instead that DCYF articulated legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for her termination. Ms. Zarate's employment was terminated after she admitted to misusing her employee credentials to access foster parent licensing files on FamLink, the DCYF child welfare database, without a business need for approximately two and a half years.

SF4776 DHS Child Services Forecast Modifications Passed

The Minnesota Senate passed SF4776 on March 25, 2026, implementing forecast adjustments for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The bill was introduced by Sen. Melissa Wiklund (D) and referred through the Health and Human Services Committee before advancing to the Finance Committee for passage. As a technical state budget and forecasting modification, this bill affects administrative processes within Minnesota's child welfare and social services departments.

Early Learning Grants Awarded to Create 2,056 Child Care Seats

The Washington state Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), awarded $55.8 million in grants to 74 early learning providers across Washington. The funds will create 2,056 new child care spaces in 40 cities and 17 counties through the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program. Commerce received 325 applications requesting a total of $277 million, demonstrating significant unmet demand for child care capacity statewide.

In re Parental Rights Termination - Racial Bias Claim Fails

The Court of Appeals of Washington, Division One, affirmed a superior court decision terminating Mr. M.'s parental rights to his biological daughter I.C.M.M. The court rejected Mr. M.'s claims that the termination decision improperly relied on his race and ethnicity and that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families failed to provide required services under RCW 13.34.180(1). The underlying case arose from child removal in March 2019 following criminal charges against both parents for abuse.