DCYF’s Government Affairs (GA) team works with agency leaders, staff, and community partners to support the goals in DCYF’s Strategic and Racial Equity Plan.

The GA team also works with divisions within DCYF and other government agencies to help put new laws into action and remove barriers that keep programs from reaching their goals. The team provides support to DCYF divisions and programs to help them create and carry out policies that lead to better results and more fairness for children, youth, and families.  

DCYF Agency Request Legislation

The GA team works with DCYF staff and leaders to create proposed bills that DCYF asks lawmakers to consider called Agency Request Legislation. These ideas are sent to the Governor’s Office for approval. If approved, a legislator can introduce the bill during the legislative session. The goal is to improve how Washington serves children, youth, and families by revising state law. 

DCYF and the State Budget

The GA team works with staff to create annual budget requests called Decision Packages. These requests make sure there is enough funding for all DCYF programs and help move the agency toward its goals of better serving children, youth, and families. Every fall, DCYF sends these requests to the Governor to be considered for the state budget. You can find other agency budget requests on the Office of Financial Management's website.

DCYF 2026 Budget Requests

OFM agency decision package documents:

Please see below for one-page summaries of DCYF’s budget proposals:

• Reducing Barriers to Employment
• JR IT Infrastructure & Secure Communications
• Additional Medium Security Capacity - Parkland
• Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Forecast & Eligibility Adjustment
• Critical Incidents Response
• Updating Child Welfare Licensing Requirements
   

DCYF 2025 Budget Requests

OFM agency decision package documents:

Please see below for one-page summaries of DCYF’s budget proposals:

• Child Care Subsidy Base Rates
• Comply with New Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Requirements
• Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP) Entitlement
• Licensing Complaint Unit
• Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Eligibility to 75% SMI & Dual Language Rates
• Adolescent Services
• Combined In Home Services and Positive Indian Parenting
• Family Reconciliation Services Community Based Model
• Home Visiting Rates
• Prevention – Community Pathways
• Supporting Trafficking Survivors 

DCYF 2024 Agency Request Legislation

• DCYF has submitted Agency Request Legislation for the 2024 Legislative Session related to ESIT monthly counts.

DCYF 2024 Budget Requests

OFM agency decision package documents:

Please see below for one-page summaries of DCYF’s policy-level budget proposals:

• Family Reconciliation Services – Community-based Model
• Home Visiting Pilot Proposal - Budget Proviso

DCYF 2023 Agency Request Legislation

• DCYF has submitted Agency Request Legislation for the 2023 Legislative Session related to the Guardianship Assistance Program and Background Check and Licensing Fees and Schedules. 

DCYF 2023 Budget Requests

OFM agency decision package documents:

DCYF has produced one-page summaries about our budget proposals:

• Prevention
• Combined In Home and Transition Services
• Placement Supports for Caregivers
• D.S. Compliance
• Licensed Kinship Placements
• JR Community Capacity Expansion
• Housing Access and Supports
• Making Child Care work for Families
• Supporting Providers to Increase Child Care Access
• WCCC Rate Increases
• Preparing for ECEAP Entitlement
• Early Learning Facilities Fund Grant Program
• Culturally Relevant Language Access Program
• Organizational License Pilot Continuation
• Rising Strong Western Washington

Updates and Webinars

DCYF holds regular webinars and meetings to keep partners updated on new laws and budget changes that affect our work.