Regional Resources
Region 2
Welcome! You’re in Region 2, which includes Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties.
Mentors help you by providing emotional support, sharing their experiences, and connecting you to regional and state resources. They are experienced caregivers who are familiar with the supports and services available in your region. Mentors are generalists who can help all types of caregivers statewide find the resources and support they need for successful placements. Mentors do not offer legal, medical, or mental health advice.
Sylvia Cardenas
CaRES Mentor Region 2 & Spanish Speaking Community Specialist
sylviac1@uw.edu
Sylvia obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through Central State University. She has lived in Eastern Washington all her life and really enjoys the large variety of outdoor activities. Sylvia and her husband became kinship caregivers in 2017. This experience lit the fire in them to do more and both decided to become licensed foster parents. She has a passion for helping others understand the need for foster parents in our communities. She noticed there was a need to assist limited English speaking individuals who wanted to become foster parents. This is when she began to serve as a foster parent recruiter/mentor for monolingual Spanish speaking individuals. She understands not all individuals can become foster parents, but there is always a way to support our children in foster care.
Tyann Whitworth
Tyann and her family began their fostering journey in 2008 while living in Utah. There they specialized in fostering older youth specifically struggling with addiction and/or behavioral support needs. They relocated to Yakima in 2013 and within a year were licensed as foster parents in Washington State and switched their focus from teens to elementary aged kiddos- specifically wanting to open their home to sibling groups in order to provide kiddos with as much connection to their own family as possible. In total the Whitworths have fostered over 60 children and in 2018 they were blessed to have the opportunity to adopt their youngest daughter. The Whitworth’s have 4 children in total and one amazing daughter-in-law!
In 2014 Tyann began working as a foster parent mentor and led the mentoring program in Region 2 from 2015-2000. Tyann also has experience working with a local private agency supporting youth with Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS) and briefly worked for DCYF as a social worker. Caregiver support has become part of her DNA and she loves to help families navigate through their fostering/kinship caregiver journey.
We know caregivers feel successful in their journey when they are connected to other caregivers. That is why Alliance CaRES is in the community to help you come together with other local foster and kinship families to share common challenges, feel heard, and solve problems.
Our Community Connectors are foster parents and other supporters who coordinate local in-person events to bring together caregivers in their communities. Say hi to your local Connectors Ashley and Audrey, at the next event you attend!
September
Yakima Community Group and Threads of Haven grand opening!
Join foster mom and CaRES Community Connector Ashley on Sunday, September 17 for a wonderful meal and the opportunity to build your network of support. This monthly group is open to all relatives, fictive kin, and foster families. Children are welcome. We can’t confirm childcare for September but hope to have it for future months.
September’s Community Group will coincide with the grand opening of Threads of Haven, a clothing closet for Yakima Valley families raising children with system involvement. The event will begin at 4:00pm, with dinner and the community group continuing from 5:00-7:00pm. Gourmet frankfurters will be provided by Sausage Daddy to the first 175 attendees with treats by Peachy Sweets.
The Yakima Community Group and Threads of Haven can be found at the Westside Church, 6901 Summitview Ave., Yakima. RSVP appreciated but not required: yakimacares@gmail.com
Prosser-area Park Playdate
Join foster parent and Community Connector Audrey from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Friendship Baptist Church (enter through the doors at the back of the church, 1801 Paterson Road, Prosser). We are asking attendees to bring a potluck item to share but it is not required; you are always welcome. There will be activities and back-to-school items for the children and the adults will have time to build connections as they problem-solve, discuss issues and support each other. RSVP for the Prosser Group to prossercares@gmail.com.
Kittitas County Community Group
Sunday, September 24th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Mountain View/Lions Park. This casual event provides an opportunity for you to problem-solve, share resources, and build relationships with other caregivers who “get it.” You may even leave with a contact for respite care! Look for Heidi in a blue t-shirt near the Play Plaza. All are welcome. Mountain View/Lions Park, 1200 E. Seattle, Ellensburg.
Topic Support Groups
Topic-based conversations bring caregivers with similar needs together to find solutions while earning training credit. Caregivers’ knowledge is the foundation for shared problem-solving and self-advocacy skills.
Check the calendar below for current listings or, for a complete list of our Topic Support Groups, click here.
Join us for a CaRES Summer Book Club!
TBRI Book Club: Relating through the senses (The Connected Therapist): This 3-week book club is an extension of the Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) modules or the TBRI book clubs: The Connected Child and The Connected Parent. Based on selections from “The Connected Therapist” by Marti Smith, discussions during the three sessions will focus on understanding sensory processing challenges, developing sensory processing strategies, and the practical application of those strategies in everyday caregiving. This TBRI book club is an encouraging and welcoming space for foster parents and kinship caregivers to engage in a next step in peer-to-peer support, problem-solving, and learning facilitated by a TBRI practitioner.
Caregivers who have completed either both TBRI book clubs or the TBRI modules can register. Register here!
And
Dancing with a Porcupine: The CaRES team leads you through a reading and discussion of “Dancing with a Porcupine” by Jennie Owens. This book shares the compelling story of the author’s struggle to save her own life while caring for three children she and her husband adopted from foster care.
During the three sessions, you will discuss themes including: self-care; trauma-informed care; expectations and hurt feelings; compassion fatigue; and balancing real life with the outside pressure to look like you are doing it all well. Register here!
Drop-in Discussions
Drop-In groups provide a chance for caregivers to connect with each other online for support and resources informally. Sometimes you just need to have a conversation with someone else who “gets it”. As Drop-In groups are not specific trainings and have no curriculum, they do not qualify for training credit.
What can I share in the group? Will my social worker or licensor know I attended this group? Will I receive training credit for attending? Find the answer to these and other questions by clicking here and reading the Drop-In Group FAQ.
It’s All Relative: Kinship Support Drop by for kinship resources, help with licensing, and answers to your kinship questions.
First Thursday from 7:00 – 8:00 pm Click here to join the Zoom session.
TBRI Tuesday: Dive in and discuss parenting challenges using Trust Based Relational Intervention principles! Gather with other caregivers as we discuss how to connect, empower and correct children the TBRI way.
*There is no need to have completed a TBRI training to attend this group. Just come and learn more!
Second Tuesday of each month 7:30 – 8:30 PM Click here to join the Zoom session.
Tuesday, September 12th – How to be mindful and proactive when dealing with Power Struggles
When you give children from chaotic backgrounds choices in how they respond to the need for control in their life, you are building life skills such as making choices, negotiation and overall social skills. Gather with other caregivers as we discuss parenting challenges and how to connect, empower and correct children using TBRI principles!
Most of these are available to foster and kinship families, some require proof of caregiver status, usually in the form of a foster care license. This is noted whenever we are aware of it. The Alliance CaRES program does not support or endorse any of the listed items; they are compiled for your convenience. We make every effort to keep these up-to-date, if you know of a correction or an item not listed, please let us know by emailing notifycares@uw.edu
Check out these places in your area that offer discounts or free opportunities or items to families in the care system:
- Beautiful Threads: Offer a variety of clothing and other items for all ages of youth in foster care.
- Compassion Closet: Clothing closet in Ellensburg.
- Mo’s Place: Supports foster families in the TriCities, Walla Walla, and the surrounding areas through networking, encouragement, training, and engagement.
- Gold’s Gym in TriCities: Provide a valid foster care license or pocket card to receive the discount. $0 enrollment fee, $29 per month, $39 annual fee 60 days from the starting point. This is per person. It is also a 1-year agreement. Members do have to be 12yrs and up to use the gym floor. Email judy@goldsgym.fitness for more information and to sign up.
- Splash & Swim School: In TriCities offers 20% discounts for foster families. Please show your foster parent license or pocket card to receive the discount.
- Threads of Haven: Caregiver Clothing Closet serving the Yakima Valley; developed and run by an area foster parent who also serves families as an Alliance CaRES community connector.
- Voices for Children: Gives buddy bags and has a Wish and Need fund available throughout the Yakima Valley.
The Alliance CaRES program does not support or endorse any of the listed items; they are compiled for your convenience. We make every effort to keep these up-to-date, if you know of a correction or an item not listed, please let us know by emailing notifycares@uw.edu
Check out the full guide with even more Free and Discounted Resources for Foster and Kinship Caregivers:
Boys & Girls Club: Members ages 6 to18 years-old get a no-cost Boys & Girls Club basic membership, covered by Coordinated Care.
DCYF Who to Contact Resources for Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers: Knowing who to contact for different needs can be really hard for foster parents and kinship caregiver in a large child welfare system. This guide lets caregivers know who to contact about different topics.
DSHS Reduced Cost Service Guide: The Reduced Cost Services Guide highlights a variety of products and services available in or near Washington state that are offered at reduced cost for people meeting certain income levels.
Fosterful: Through trauma-informed care practices, provide nurturing environments and basic necessities to kids entering foster care. Located across the state and expanding.
Foster Parents Association of Washington State (FPAWS): Support and advocacy organization representing adoptive/foster/kinship and birth parent voices at the Regional, State, and National levels. They offer a multitude of supportive services, trainings, and opportunities.
IFoster: A free, members-only community supporting children in or at-risk of entry into child welfare, to access the resources and opportunities they need to become successful, independent adults.
Imagination Library of Washington: Enroll your child online. In 6-8 weeks, your child will receive their first book in the mail, ‘The Little Engine That Could’. Books arrive in the mail monthly until your child’s 5th birthday.
Treehouse: Offers many programs to youth across the state including educational support, holiday gifts, driver’s assistance, a clothing closet and just in time funding program.
CaRES Statewide Mentors & Specialist
Mentors and Specialists can help you by providing emotional support, sharing their experiences, and connecting you to regional and state resources. Specialists can help caregivers by providing emotional support, sharing their experiences, and connecting them to resources. They have an area of dedicated knowledge that may be especially important for a caregiver looking for understanding. Mentors and Specialists do not offer legal, medical, or mental health advice.
Camille Hereth
CaRES Trauma-Informed Caregiving Specialist
Camille has worked in foster care for over 16 years in many different capacities, including being a foster parent, a foster home licensor, providing in home counseling to foster kids, and teaching evidence based parenting classes to foster parents and post adoptive parents. Camille is passionate about supporting families with newborns, helping people understand how trauma impacts function, and supporting families who have children that are neurodivergent.
Christa Murray
Post-Permanency Specialist
christa6@uw.edu
The time spent in kinship care as a youth, started Christa’s awareness for the needs of families within the foster care system and opened her heart to becoming a foster parent. Christa has received support and encouragement from many during her foster/adoptive mom journey. She is honored to be able to help others as they navigate the system. Christa has written several articles on supporting foster children in child care. Her family spends much of their time exploring the outdoors or cozily tucked inside reading.
Christina Urtasun
CaRES Statewide Mentor
Curtasun@uw.edu
Christina has been a licensed foster parent, in Oak Harbor, for twenty years. She has been involved in many aspects of the foster care community including providing liaison services with Fostering Together program for 13 years and being a co-trainer with the Alliance for Child Welfare. Christina is excited to join the Alliance CaRES program as a mentor so she can continue supporting and encouraging families as well as help them navigate the system. Christina has four sons and one daughter. In her spare time, Christina loves to be hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with her family.
Deshanna Brown
CaRES Mentor Region 3, 4, & Culturally Conscious Caregiving Specialist, Caregivers and Children of Color
dbrown27@uw.edu
Deshanna has been working in the Foster Care field in various roles for six-plus years. She has been a visit supervisor, a case manager, and is a current volunteer Child Appointed Advocate in Pierce county. Most recently, she worked at Amara as a Foster Care Specialist. Along with these roles within the system, she is also a kinship caregiver. Deshanna’s passion for working with children and families in foster care comes from her drive to help every child find permanency. She loves helping families find the resources they need to help a child in their home thrive and helping foster parents and kinship caregivers navigate the world of foster care.
Emmanuel Camarillo
Spanish Speaking Community Specialist
Ec2643@uw.edu
Emmanuel Camarillo holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington Tacoma. His research focused on understanding the connection between the training that therapeutic foster parents receive and placement disruption. In addition, his research provided recommendations to foster care agencies looking to retain skilled foster parents and increase the quality and stability of children’s experience in therapeutic foster care programs. Prior to working in child welfare, Emmanuel worked in higher education for six years. Emmanuel and his fiance Francisco have been foster parents for the last three years. He has volunteered at The Foster Closet in Bellingham since 2018. He also serves as a board member of Foster Hearts, an organization that strives to improve the lives of children in foster care, ensuring each child has their basic needs met and providing life-enhancing opportunities. Most recently, Emmanuel was selected as a 1624 Region 3 representative to serve as a liaison between caregivers and DCYF.
Francisco Javier Contreras Alvarez
Spanish Speaking Community Specialist
Fc886670@uw.edu
Francisco is currently a licensed foster parent. Francisco and his partner have fostered over 13 children and youth in their home and are currently fostering a 14 yr old boy for about 2 years now. Francisco obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with a minor in Spanish from Western Washington University. Francisco currently holds the position as case manager which brings skills and knowledge working with and for families by supporting and providing sources to help them reach their goals and meet their needs. Francisco is also a volunteer for the Foster Closet in Bellingham since 2018 and serves as a board member of Fosters Hearts, an organization that strives to improve the lives of children in foster care, ensuring each child has their basic needs met and providing life-enhancing opportunities. Francisco is passionate about supporting and advocating for marginalized and underrepresented communities where families and children from these communities can reach their potential by providing resources to further the knowledge and education of the community.
Nathan LaChine
CaRES Mentor Region 5, 6, & LGBTQIA+ Community Specialist
nlachine@uw.edu
Nathan has been a therapeutic foster parent with Community Youth Services serving BRS Youth for the past 16 years. He has held a variety of roles within the foster care community and has been a strong advocate within the LGBTQ2IA+ community. Through his teaching and public speaking, Nathan hopes to elevate and provide a voice for system involved families.
Sarah Rachael Edwards-Strode
CaRES Mentor Region 5 & Medically Complex Caregiving Specialist
Srstrode@uw.edu
Sarah and her husband David have been licensed foster parents for nearly 15 years. Before changing her goals to pursuing an education in nursing, Sarah was a ballet director for 20 years. While originally the Strode’s were focused on caring for drug affected infants, their concentration morphed into a focus and advocacy for medically complex and medically fragile foster children. The Strode’s have 8 children. Two biological, four adopted through foster care, and currently two medically fragile foster children. Sarah has a passion for advocating for the unseen and unheard. She specializes in burn survivor care as well as caring for those with intellectual and chronic illnesses and diagnosis. Sarah is thrilled to be part of Alliance CaRES and working along side other families wanting to care for the medically complex foster child as well as those just starting their foster care journey.
Sylvia Cardenas
CaRES Mentor Region 2 & Spanish Speaking Community Specialist
sylviac1@uw.edu
Sylvia obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through Central State University. She has lived in Eastern Washington all her life and really enjoys the large variety of outdoor activities. Sylvia and her husband became kinship caregivers in 2017. This experience lit the fire in them to do more and both decided to become licensed foster parents. She has a passion for helping others understand the need for foster parents in our communities. She noticed there was a need to assist limited English speaking individuals who wanted to become foster parents. This is when she began to serve as a foster parent recruiter/mentor for monolingual Spanish speaking individuals. She understands not all individuals can become foster parents, but there is always a way to support our children in foster care.
Would you like to have one of our wonderful mentors reach out to you for individualized support? Send us an email or leave a voice mail with your contact information, a sentence or two about what general areas you need support in, and if you need language support or interpretation.
If you are sending a referral on behalf of a caregiver, please also let us know if they are expecting a call from us. Mentors will respond within 48 hours.
alliancecares@uw.edu or call 206-221-4913
If you are a caregiver going through an investigation, be sure to visit our page on support for allegations and investigations.
Never Miss an Event with CaRES: To add the Region 2 Calendar to your personal Google Calendar, click on the plus sign in the bottom right corner of the calendar. This will open your personal Google Calendar webpage and give you the option to add the CaRES event calendars for this region and the state.
