Implementation of the Protocol for Safe & Affirming Care: Implementation Overview
Who: The Center for Children & Youth Justice (CCYJ) is creating better lives for generations of children and youth through reform of child welfare, juvenile justice, and related systems of care. At CCYJ, the eQuality Project works to create safer and more affirming systems for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth.
What: CCYJ is partnering with juvenile courts, homeless service providers, and Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) across Washington to implement the Protocol for Safe & Affirming Care , a guide for professionals, volunteers, and caregivers on creating safer and more affirming systems of care for LGBTQ+ youth.
Why: CCYJ’s eQuality Project aims create safer and more affirming systems for not only LGBTQ+ youth–but all youth–in child welfare, juvenile justice, and related systems of care. Through implementation of the Protocol, eQuality also aims to prevent and intervene with LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.
Where: CCYJ has currently implemented or is planning to implement the Protocol in eight Sites:
- King County Juvenile Court
- Klickitat County Washington Gorge Action Programs
- Pend Oreille County Y.E.S
- Pierce County Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- Spokane County Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- Spokane County Juvenile Court
- Walla Walla County Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- Whatcom County Northwest Youth Services
- Yakima County Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Resource Maps
2018 Evaluation Report
From Spring 2017 through Summer 2018, eQuality piloted implementation of the Protocol in three sites: King County Juvenile Court, Spokane County Juvenile Court, and the Adolescent, Legally Free, and Indian Child Welfare Act units of the Spokane office of Children’s Administration. MEM Consultants evaluated the pilot and provided a final evaluation report. This experience and evaluation provide valuable lessons and insights for expansion.
You can view the Final Evaluation Report here.
Want to become an implementation site?
Our Request for Applications details directions on applying to become an implementation site, and provides an overview on implementing the Protocol for Safe & Affirming Care. We accept applications on a rolling basis.