WHEREAS, The State of Washington lost a tireless advocate for children and families with the death of Rosalyn "Rosie" Oreskovich on February 28, 2003; and
     WHEREAS, Rosie earned degrees from the University of Montana and the University of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Rosie began her career with the Department of Social and Health Services in 1976 as an "after-hours" social worker and advanced through the ranks as a supervisor and area manager. Rosie served as a coordinator of the Children's Mental Health Service in King County and was responsible for implementing mental health reform, including the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) initiative and was a leader in the development of a publicly funded mental health system; and
     WHEREAS, Rosie returned to DSHS in 1994 as the assistant secretary for the Children's Administration and subsequently established the "Kids Come First Action Agenda," was responsible for increasing the number of foster homes, the percentage of foster children placed with relatives, made it possible for more children to be safely reunited with their parents and doubled the number of former foster children ages 18 through 21 who received independent living services; and
     WHEREAS, Her leadership and commitment to instilling best practice reforms enabled the Vancouver, WA DSHS Division of Children and Family Services office to become the first state child welfare agency in the West to achieve accreditation status by meeting rigorous and nationally recognized standards of social work; and
     WHEREAS, Rosie was a respected national speaker on child welfare issues and served on the executive committee of the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators; and
     WHEREAS, Thousands of children and their families are leading better lives because Rosie led a dedicated staff through the difficult and demanding tasks necessary to nurture children in need while working to heal and reunite families; and
     WHEREAS, Rosie was held in the highest regard by staff and elected officials as well as colleagues in Washington state and nationally;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and honor the lifetime contributions and the legacy of caring for children and families made to the great state of Washington by Rosie Oreskovich.