Olympia — The holiday season is the time of year people take a particular interest in the well-being of families and children in the state of Washington and across the nation. It is also an appropriate time to reflect on what families, educators and caretakers have accomplished for the youngest among us. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families launched six-months ago is examining its progress toward providing the best possible care and services. The Secretary of the new agency delivered his assessment of where DCYF stands as the end of the year approaches. In his message today, he thanked staff for their diligence and dedication in responding to a challenging mission.

“It’s the end of the year, which means I have been spending some time reflecting on the work of our new agency over the last few months. Since we officially began our journey as one agency on July 1, we have accomplished what once seemed impossible,” said Ross Hunter, secretary of DCYF.

DCYF’s secretary visited nearly every field office from Everett to Walla Walla to get feedback on the needs of the agency and staff as well as the families and children under state supervision. The overall legislative agenda and key funding priorities proposed for the 2019 fiscal year address necessary to correct deficiencies affecting the fundamental goal of caring for and protecting children. The secretary emphasized the importance of addressing increasing caseloads for DCYF staff members, the majority of whom engage in high-profile work with child welfare and soon juvenile rehabilitation.

“The increase in caseloads over the past few years has prevented the system from adequately supporting staff or meeting national standards. The failure to do so puts children at risk and leads to excessive staff turnover in the agency. The Governor’s Budget adds $54.3 million and over 300 new social workers by June 2021.  Juvenile rehabilitation is receiving over 70 additional staff to ensure that incarcerated youth are safe from sexual assault and children at Echo Glen can receive appropriate mental health services,” Hunter said.

Governor Inslee’s budget addresses other priorities that include the expansion of ECEAP, the state’s preschool program for three- and four-year-old children who are furthest from an opportunity for success in school and in life, and expansion of in-home education services for families with new babies and young children, support that is crucial to the physical, social and emotional health of children.

 “The Governor’s budget spends almost $80 million next biennium on establishing a universal home visiting program, piloting early ECEAP, and expanding preschool access.  $50 million is provided for expanding and supporting the existing ECEAP program.  $127 million in rate increases for child care providers.”

Another critical element in the proposed budget for DCYF is the $25 million request from Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS) to help alleviate hotel stays, stabilize placement options and bring some youth home from out-of-state facilities.

“BRS includes therapeutic group home and facility-based placements for children whose severe behavioral issues make it difficult for them to be successful in private foster home placements. With the rate increase, we can build our capacity and better serve the behavioral needs of our youth,” Hunter said.

Secretary Hunter also stated that the upcoming legislative session is one of the most critical for DCYF because of the importance of securing funding essential for the agency’s success. He sees the additional resources for programs and services as an incredible opportunity to transform how the agency operates in the future.

For more DCYF budget information view the following attachment.

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