Bridge Receiving Center

There are many problems in the foster care system nationwide. There has been a serious shortage of licensed homes that often leads to the many “bounces” that children just entering foster care often experience. Children often spend their first days and weeks bouncing between the DCYF office, motels, shelters, and emergency care facilities. In addition, children have little chance to get their questions answered, let alone process the recent upheaval in their lives.

We’ve developed a therapeutic transitional residential program in a camp-like setting where children, ages 4 and older, will find an immediate safe place to stay for up to 30 days – or longer, if needed. This extended time gives social workers and the courts time to determine what’s next for the children - a return back home, moving in with relatives/family friends or their first placement in a foster home. Our receiving center in Snohomish County often results in family reunification, the ability to keep siblings together, more successful first placements and fewer multiple placements.