Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services & Early Learning Committee

HB 1644

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning the creation of a youth development work group within the department of children, youth, and families.

Sponsors: Representatives Ortiz-Self, Lovick, Kilduff, Valdez, Frame, Goodman, Davis and Leavitt.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes a youth development work group within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Hearing Date: 2/12/19

Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).

Background:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created in 2017 with the stated intent of improving delivery of services and outcomes for children and families by housing early learning, child welfare, and juvenile justice services in the same agency. The DCYF is required to establish outcome measure goals and report on those measures and progress toward goals annually. The outcome measures include:

The DCYF submitted the first annual report on outcome measures, actions taken, progress toward goals, and plans for the future year to the Governor and the Legislature in December 2018.

The Oversight Board for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is authorized to monitor and ensure the DCYF achieves its stated outcomes and complies with relevant statutes, administrative acts, rules and policies.

Summary of Bill:

A youth development work group (work group) is created within the DCYF with the purpose of developing a mission, vision, and goals over the 2019-21 biennium for supporting youth ages 5 to young adulthood with a racial equity and inclusion lens.

Work Group Duties.

The work group must:

Beginning December 1, 2019, the work group must submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature. The report must include recommendations that:

Work Group Membership.

The work group consists of 19 voting and nine nonvoting members. The DCYF must appoint 15 voting members and ensure racial and geographic diversity. The remaining four voting members consist of two Members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two Senators, appointed by the President of the Senate.

Voting members include:

Non-Voting Members include:

The DCYF must provide up to five stipends to cover travel and time for work group members who do not have the resources or job classification to participate in a statewide work group, such as parents and youth. The DCYF must provide staff support for the work group.

The work group expires December 31, 2021.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 7, 2019.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.