When we have to turn children away.

A few times each month, state social workers call us to ask if we could care for children who do not precisely fit the terms of our license. They are hoping we can make an exception. But we can't. We have to turn those children away, and it breaks our hearts every time.

How can we change this?

Since January, we have been working with some key legislative partners to draft and pass a bill that would create some additional flexibility about the types of children who are permitted to spend time at The Landing, our emergency shelter. It's on the cusp of passing in both the House and Senate, and when it does we will get very busy around here.

"Resource and Assessment Center" is the technical name of the license we hold at our Landing locations in Bellingham and Ellensburg. It was created in 2009 in response to a raging crisis in our state's foster care system. Some plucky grassroots agencies (including Skookum!) wanted to help kids make smooth transitions into foster care. But many professional social workers were nervous that a volunteer-centric facility would be unreliable. 8 years and more than 800 children later, those fears have been well set to rest.

The Landing costs $120 per child per night to operate. And for the last few years we have averaged four children each week at our two sites. But with these regulatory changes, we expect those numbers will increase dramatically. So, will you give to ensure that every child who could benefit from a transitional stay at the Landing is able to receive it? We are doing everything we can to prepare for this sudden increase in demand. We will be ready to care for as many children as you decide to fund.