Seattle’s Child is proud to partner with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families Strengthening Families Washington to honor outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children.
All month long, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state: biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofits; some mentor others in their communities. Enjoy their stories.
Katie Biron, Duvall
We nominate Katie Biron to be a DCYF Unsung Hero because she is a phenomenal parent, foster parent and adoptive parent to four children, and she has worked tirelessly for years to build community among parents and caregivers, both in her personal and professional life. Katie’s work embodies all the Strengthening Families Protective Factors, and she helps other families build their strengths too.
Katie is a former pediatric nurse and has worked in the hematology/oncology unit at Seattle Children’s. Her passion for healing transcends the medical community and now drives her commitment to families experiencing the child welfare system. She is an advocate for these families and is passionate about driving systems change.
Katie not only identifies problems and solutions, she works with impacted communities to put solutions into practice. She is the creator of Fostering Connections for Families, a small business that provides family coaching services to help families navigate post-adoption relationships. She also is the creator and program manager of Amara’s Family Connections Program, which focuses on helping parents and caregivers build relationships centered on the well-being of children.
Katie participates with and activates communities to accomplish family-centered goals. As an active member of the Keeping Families Together Coalition and the Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition, and others, she works to create and drive legislative policies that benefit all children and families. Since 2018 she has been a 1624 representative for DCYF, and has also been a facilitator of Amara’s Strong, Tough and Resilient (STAR) Adoptive parent supports groups. Additionally, she has trained other STAR facilitators, helping more groups of adoptive parents find and build supportive communities.
Katie does all this and more while modeling humility, compassion and a willingness to be vulnerable. By sharing her own growth and understanding as a foster and adoptive parent, she makes it possible for others to see in themselves the capacity to put aside their fears and connect.
Nominators: Shrounda Selivanoff (a past honoree), Kelly Warner-King, Laurie Lippold, Jennifer Gears, Nicole Mazen, Jason Gortney and Marcia Jacobs
More Unsung Heroes:
‘Super mom’ advocates for kids with developmental differences
Dedicated single mom of 6 also helps parents facing tough times
