HOUSE BILL REPORT

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Human Services & Early Learning

Title: An act relating to the creation of a youth development work group within the department of children, youth, and families.

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 History:

Committee Activity:

Human Services & Early Learning: 2/12/19, 2/15/19 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & EARLY LEARNING

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Senn, Chair; Callan, Vice Chair; Frame, Vice Chair; Dent, Ranking Minority Member; Eslick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Corry, Goodman, Griffey, Kilduff, Klippert, Lovick and Ortiz-Self.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative McCaslin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.

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 DCYF is authorized to monitor and ensure the DCYF achieves its stated outcomes and complies with relevant statutes, administrative acts, rules and policies.

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Summary of Substitute 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 16 voting and five nonvoting members. The DCYF must appoint 12 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:

Nonvoting 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 DCYF may form an agreement with a private entity to receive matching contributions to support the activities of the work group including youth, parent, and guardian engagement activities.

The work group expires December 31, 2021.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill:

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 18, 2019.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There were hopes to have a youth development work group incorporated at the onset of the new DCYF. The work group will look at missing prevention programs that could be implemented and where are the gaps in services for youth. The work group is time-limited and intentional in making recommendations to the DCYF to align and expand local programming tailored to specific groups and ensure expanded learning opportunity groups and after school programs are working together. Youth with barriers will have a supportive environment and additional pathways to adult success with this work.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Ortiz-Self, prime sponsor; and Lyset Cadena, Schools Out Washington.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.