In 2011 FPAWS filed a lawsuit against the State of Washington, seeking a declaration that the State is failing to meet federal requirements under the Child Welfare Act to reimburse foster parents for costs associated with raising foster children. Earlier this year, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington ruled that FPAWS has standing to bring the lawsuit and has an enforceable federal right, which means that FPAWS may proceed with its lawsuit. The Court recently set a new trial date of September 30, 2014. The Honorable Benjamin H. Settle will preside over the bench trial, which will occur at the United States Courthouse in Tacoma.
The court ruling on standing can be found at: https://casetext.com/case/foster-parents-assn-of-wash-v-dreyfus
Hang in there, Mike and Beth