Weekend Listen: Washington made it harder for CPS to separate families. Critics say kids are less safe episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 31, 2026 · 23 MIN

Weekend Listen: Washington made it harder for CPS to separate families. Critics say kids are less safe

from Seattle Now · host KUOW News and Information

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom… Removing a child from their home can be very harmful for them. And historically, child welfare workers were much more likely to take Black and Native American children away from their birth parents than other kids. So, over the last several years, Washington state made policy changes to keep more birth families together. But now, critics say those changes have gone too far and made children less safe, and they should be reversed. A note to listeners: This story discusses child abuse and death. Read Eilis’s story here. We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom… Removing a child from their home can be very harmful for them. And historically, child welfare workers were much more likely to take Black and Native American children away from their birth parents than other kids. So, over the last several years, Washington state made policy changes to keep more birth families together. But now, critics say those changes have gone too far and made children less safe, and they should be reversed. A note to listeners: This story discusses child abuse and death.

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Weekend Listen: Washington made it harder for CPS to separate families. Critics say kids are less safe

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Today, we’re bringing you the best from the KUOW Newsroom… Removing a child from their home can be very harmful for them. And historically, child welfare workers were much more likely to take Black and Native American children away from their birth...

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