Fostering Change Washington, established in 2017, is a faith-driven, 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to protecting vulnerable children and upholding their God-given and constitutional right to life. As a faith-driven media and advocacy platform, they work to protect children from harm, equip communities with objective truth and encourage the Church to fulfill its biblical mandate to care for the vulnerable.
Guided by this biblical call to care for the vulnerable, their faith moves them to act. Through legislative advocacy, compelling storytelling, and public engagement, they aim to achieve lasting policy change and cultural transformation that prioritizes the well-being of every child. Their belief in God’s design for life, family, and freedom drives everything they do and His Word is their ultimate authority and guiding lens for advocacy.
Fostering Change Washington has four primary ‘Strategic Pillars’:
Legislative Advocacy
FCW actively engages with Washington State lawmakers to propose, support and monitor legislation that aims to improve the foster care and dependency system. They focus on policies that promote child safety, permanency and family reunification when appropriate. Tenants of their legislative advocacy include policy research and development, lawmaker engagement, coalition building and public awareness campaigns.
Their primary focus, at this time, is the urgent amendment of the “Keeping Families Together Act” (House Bill 1227). A critical flaw in this bill prevents the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and law enforcement from removing children from homes where known substance abuse, particularly fentanyl, poses a deadly risk. This unintended consequence has resulted in a 200% increase in preventable deaths of children in Washington.
“Change the Story” Podcast Launch
In an effort to reach and educate a broader audience about the complexities and needs of the foster care and dependency system, FCW will be launching a brand new Podcast entitled “Change the Story”. This podcast will target foster families, biological families, social workers, policymakers, community members and others interested in child welfare. The podcast is set to launch on August 19th and will be available on all major platforms including Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. FCW is planning to broadcast 2 – 3 podcasts per month.
Expanding the ‘Safe Families Program’
The Safe Families Program is a family preservation movement passionate about keeping children safe and out of the foster care system. The goal is to protect vulnerable children from abuse and neglect and partner with families facing crisis situations alone and in isolation. This program exists to host children and support parents with caring, compassionate community so they can work through their crisis and get back on their feet. By partnering with local churches, they create an extended support system for parents through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by faith to keep children safe and keep families together.
FCW is launching targeted campaigns to raise awareness about the Safe Families Program among churches, community organizations, state child welfare services and potential host families and support teams. In addition to these entities, they are also seeking to forge strong collaborations with faith-based organizations to establish Safe Families chapters in new regions of Washington State.
Community Engagement and Support
FCW plans to provide resources and opportunities for our Washington Defenders and others to get involved and support their mission. They will do this using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and FPIW’s Defender App. They also plan to organize virtual and in-person workshops and community events to raise awareness and provide training on foster care related topics.
How You Can Help FCW
As with nearly all nonprofit organizations, fundraising is an integral part of their business plan. FCW needs consistent financial support for operational costs, podcast productions, and legislative advocacy work. The Family Policy Institute of Washington strongly encourages you to consider supporting Fostering Change Washington with your financial gifts. In particular, monthly donations are vitally important in any amount. You can donate to FCW by simply clicking on their ‘Give Now’ button at: fosteringchangewa.org.
In addition to financial gifts, volunteer opportunities abound. If you have been involved in the foster care system in Washington, please consider sharing your unique story with Fostering Change Washington. Volunteer with the Safe Families Program or consider testifying in Olympia when amendments to House Bill 1227 are introduced during Legislative Session. Promote the ‘Change the Story’ podcast with family members, like-minded friends and neighbors, your church, and civic groups. Finally, you can ‘share’ the FCW website on social media.
Most importantly, pray for Fostering Change Washington. Pray that people’s hearts are stirred to action. Pray for the children currently in the foster care system. Pray for families and marriages. Pray for the financial viability of FCW and that God would spread their tent pegs significantly in the coming year.
I (Brad Payne) have personally met with Executive Director Shannon Love (left) and Board President Jessica Hanna. I have never met anyone more passionate about their calling than these two women. They are engaging, strongly motivated and laser-focused on creating a State where every child thrives in a safe, stable and nurturing environment – free from harm, protected by policy, supported by the Church and surrounded by a community that champions their voice, dignity, and future.