The Mockingbird Society’s mission is to transform foster care and end youth homelessness.
For two decades, The Mockingbird Society has advanced policy by engaging those most impacted by the child welfare and homeless youth systems. Our youth advocates have successfully won 59 major policy reforms, including being the driving force behind creating the state's Department of Children Youth and Families and the Office of Homeless Youth. Over the last 20+ years, our policies have impacted m
05/31/2026
Thank you for honoring this month with us by listening to stories from those close to the foster care system. We've compiled some posts we created this month in case you'd like to revisit and share them with others.
The journey to transform foster care is challenging yet possible with strong support from community members like you. Keep getting involved and spreading the word!
05/30/2026
From the perspective of a Child Placement Agency, a “relationships first” approach has positive outcomes for both caregivers and young people in foster care. We believe that human connection is the root of success for individuals and communities.
Our dream is that the foster care system is intentionally and thoughtfully designed to ensure that young people and families are surrounded by multiple peers with similar experiences who care for one another and are able to build trust.
MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY ™ framework is built on this foundation and reflects how extended families have functioned across cultures for millennia.
--
Part of MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ Constellations? Share your story at mockingbirdsociety.org/MBFStory!
05/29/2026
Foster care journeys can sometimes feel lonely for some people.
Having small communities of foster caregivers and kinship families allows people to connect and support one another.
This is the spirit of MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ framework, which many people, including Rose Mowatt, have experienced. We believe that humanizing the foster care system by putting relationships first is key to transforming it.
Would you like to be part of it?
--
Part of MOCKINGBIRD FAMILY™ Constellations? Share your story at mockingbirdsociety.org/MBFStory!
As we honor National Foster Care Awareness Month this May, we are centering stories close to the foster care system. We had a conversation with Gaelin Elmore, a former foster youth who is now a speaker, trainer, and consultant on belonging. Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ZocIW46zHBA?si=DhIL0WAlcqWAUtkc
05/22/2026
ANNOUNCEMENT: Our office will be closed for mid-year break! We will be back on Monday, June 1, 2026. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
05/21/2026
As we advocate for systemic change in foster care, discussing Extended Foster Care (EFC) is an integral part of that work. In this post, you’ll find the evolution of EFC legislation in Washington State from 1999 to the present.
Read more on our website: mockingbirdsociety.org/EFCLegacy, and please let us know: what progress would you like to see in our foster care system?
05/20/2026
As we recognize National Foster Care Awareness Month this May, we are centering stories from voices close to the foster care system. Some of these perspectives can be found in Claudia Rowe's book, "Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care".
The book shares stories from Maryanne, Tina, Jay, Monique, Art, and Sixto, who have all experienced the foster care system and its many challenges. Read "Wards of the State" to learn about the history of foster care, the systemic problems within the American approach to foster care, and the need for serious transformation within this system.
A special thank you to Claudia Rowe for providing her perspective on why this book is important and why folks should consider reading it.
As we honor National Foster Care Awareness Month this May, we are centering stories close to the foster care system. We had a conversation with Gaelin Elmore, a former foster youth who is now a speaker, trainer, and consultant on belonging.
Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ZocIW46zHBA?si=Rczu95szaYQklNKb
05/14/2026
JOIN US NEXT MONDAY: MAY 18, 2026, as we honor National Foster Care Awareness Month! Join the live conversation on our YouTube channel. Visit mockingbirdsociety.org/MayLivestream to ask questions, engage, and interact with us in real time.
Pro tip: Click “Notify me” so you don’t miss it! See you!
05/13/2026
Youth and Young Adults in WA State! Join this!!