Growing Support for Caregivers: A Look Inside the Y's Caregiver Support Program

Foster care is not something any family should have to navigate alone. That's the idea behind the Department of Child Youth & Families’ (DCYF) Caregiver Support program (CGS) offered through the YMCA of Greater Seattle's Social Impact Center. 

Launched in 2024, the program provides case management and behavioral case aide services to help families supporting foster youth reach permanency. Through a partnership between DCYF and community agencies, the initiative has expanded to 14 affiliated programs across Washington. The Y Social Impact Center provides CGS services to families throughout South King County, helping caregivers navigate challenges, access resources, and build the support they need to thrive.

A Program on the Rise

In just two years, the program has grown significantly. The YMCA's CGS team has doubled in size and now serves 59 families and 83 youth, about half of whom are kinship caregivers. The program's service area spans South King County, from Renton to the Pierce County line, west to Vashon Island, and east across King County.

That growth continues. To meet increasing demand, the program is currently hiring a second team of four case managers and two behavioral case aides. Interested candidates can find the case manager and case aide openings on the YMCA careers page. 

What Caregivers Receive

The Caregiver Support program surrounds families with a wide range of services designed to provide practical support, guidance, and connection.

• Case Management: Individualized case plan support and navigation, with a dedicated person in your corner.
• Behavioral Case Aide: For qualifying youth, monthly support with transportation, life skills, homework, and school navigation.
• Caregiver Support Group: A monthly gathering with a short training and space to connect with fellow caregivers.
• Foster Parenting Support and Coaching: Free online sessions with a parent coach to work through parenting challenges, built on each caregiver's strengths.
• Caregiver Newsletter: Monthly updates on the program, DCYF news, community events, resources, and trainings.
• Caregiver Resource Hub: An online hub with forms, policies, trainings, discounts, and parenting resources.
• On-Call Crisis Support: 24/7 access to on-call leadership for assistance and crisis support.
• Respite Care: Connections to licensed respite providers, allowing caregivers an opportunity to rest and recharge.
• YMCA of Greater Seattle Membership: A free household membership, including two free hours of Kid Zone care and discounts on camps and classes, active for as long as the caregiver is active in the program.

Learn more about CGS services on the YMCA website, or explore the statewide initiative on the DCYF website.

Meet the Leadership

That growth is guided by an experienced leadership team: Program Director II Waneh Abnoos, Program Director I Morgan Hambleton, and the program's newest Program Director I, Cami Hubbard.

Waneh Abnoos, Program Director II
Waneh has been with the YMCA for seven years and has more than eight years of experience in housing and foster care. She has led the Caregiver Support program since its launch in 2024 and also oversees the foster care licensing case management team and the Foundational Community Supports housing program.

Morgan Hambleton, Program Director I
Morgan has been with the YMCA for five years and has been part of the Caregiver Support program since its beginning, helping build it into what it is today. With a background in case management for youth experiencing homelessness and education in psychology and religious studies, Morgan also facilitates the program's monthly caregiver support group.

Cami Hubbard, Program Director I
Cami joined the YMCA four years ago as a before-and-after school counselor before moving into housing and homelessness services, and more recently, foster care. She has more than eight years of experience working with youth and families and brings a background in counseling and psychology to her role supporting caregivers.

How You Can Help

As the program continues to grow, so does the need for community support. Donations of the following items are always appreciated:

• Diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes
• Laptops or tablets
• New car seats and booster seats
• Tickets to local attractions, such as the Woodland Park Zoo, the Children's Museum, or the Seattle Aquarium
• Gas, groceries, furniture, Amazon, Walmart, or Visa gift cards

Have questions, want to donate, or are interested in getting involved? Reach out to the CGS team at caregiversupport@seattleymca.org.