Equity Foster parents say ‘retaliation’ by caseworkers means fewer families to help kids in need Records portray a culture of fear, even as Washington state attempts to respond to a flood of new cases. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / January 15, 2020
Politics Washington schools don't have to teach sex education. That could soon change Advocates hope legislation requiring comprehensive K-12 sexual health education will be successful in 2020. by Liz Brazile / December 13, 2019 / Updated December 17, 2019 at 12:44 p.m.
Equity ‘It's like glorified day care’: Washington parents demand rigor in special education for young adults Preparing for adult life is critical for all high school students. But those with disabilities face a greater risk of missing postsecondary opportunities. by Liz Brazile / November 25, 2019
Politics New WA state budget won’t solve problem of foster kids in crisis The state Legislature approved nearly $16 million in new funding last week, but the effort may come up short in fixing an overwhelmed system. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / March 19, 2020
News WA advocates call for freezing foster care ‘age-out’ during pandemic Young adults aging out of foster care face unique challenges in normal times, say advocates. Now, they face even greater risks. by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / June 3, 2020
News Birth parents fight to visit kids in foster system during pandemic Seeing their children in person may put parents, as well as foster families and social workers, at risk, but can the state stop them? by Rachel Nielsen InvestigateWest / April 22, 2020 / Updated on Friday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Opinion Why I’m holding my applause for Washington’s new foster care law It’s laudable that the state law focuses on preventing family separations, but is it enough? by Claudia Rowe / May 11, 2021
Opinion WA still holds teens in solitary confinement — and worse, suit says A lawsuit claims three teenagers were handcuffed while in isolation, violating the state’s own policies and raising profound moral questions. by Claudia Rowe / April 22, 2021
Inside Crosscut Columnist Claudia Rowe on neutrality and what kids tell us about WA The longtime education reporter explains how decades of covering schools shaped the perspective she brings to her new column. by Claudia Rowe / April 6, 2021
News Pandemic pushes WA foster care group homes into lose-lose dilemmas With one group home losing a state contract after turning away infected youth, operators at other homes fear state retaliation. by Rachel Nielsen & Robert McClure InvestigateWest / August 14, 2020 / Updated at 5:53 p.m. Aug. 14