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Stevens County officials raise staffing, cost and child‑safety concerns about family‑preservation pilot
Summary
County staff and commissioners described a pilot tied to an "African American Welfare and Preservation" bill that they say could substantially increase staff needs and may change child‑protection priorities; board members asked staff to monitor pilot developments and fiscal notes.
County staff told the Stevens County Board that a pilot program presently limited to some metro counties could expand statewide in 2026 unless the Legislature acts, and that the pilot's implementation raises operational and fiscal concerns for rural counties.
A county representative said the pilot — referred to in the meeting as the "African American Welfare and Preservation Act" pilot — would bring covered cases toward Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)‑style standards and that early estimates show substantial staffing impacts. "Early estimates throughout the state are talking about a 30%…
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