Join the DCYF Mid-Session Legislative Update Webinar
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is hosting a webinar from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, to provide updates on the 2025 Legislative Session. You will hear updates on the funding included for DCYF in the proposed House and Senate budgets and other proposals affecting DCYF.
Join the 2025 Governor’s Budget Webinar: DCYF Investments
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is hosting a webinar from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 to discuss the agency's 2025 budget investments. Join the webinar to hear about DCYF's investments in the 2025-2027 Governor’s budget and learn about proposed funding levels for DCYF, including our 2025 Legislative Session requests.
Secretary Hunter Welcomes Legislators to 2023 Session
DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter provided the following update and welcome to the legislature on Monday, Jan. 9, the start of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Welcome to the 2023 legislative session.
Juvenile Rehabilitation Capitol Classroom Heads into Legislative Session
Through the Capitol Classroom program in Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR), young people have the opportunity to work alongside peers and youth engagement specialists to learn about and propose legislation that can dramatically affect juvenile justice.
Community Capacity Expansion Decision Package
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks to expand and enhance less restrictive, community-based settings for youth and young adults placed in the agency’s Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) institutions.
Home Visiting Advisory Committee Provides Recommendations for Improvement
Home visiting programs are voluntary, family-focused services offered to expectant parents and families with new babies and young children to support the physical, social, and emotional development of a child. Through the Home Visiting Services Account (HVSA), Washington State funds 44 programs with the capacity to serve about 2,800 families statewide.
DCYF Asks Legislature to Repeal Parent Pay Statute
DCYF proposed a bill to the Legislature that would repeal RCW 13.40.220, Washington’s “Parent Pay” statute, which charges families for their child’s incarceration. The law currently requires parents to pay a percentage of their income to DCYF for the cost of their child’s support, treatment, and confinement in Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR).
Major Wins for DCYF During Successful 2021 Legislative Session
The 2021 Legislative Session resulted in strong investments and positive policy changes for children, youth, and families across Washington state. Legislators displayed an immense amount of trust in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to implement major initiatives and distribute new resources on ambitious timelines.
2021 Legislative Session Opens Today
The 2021 Legislative Session convenes virtually today, Jan. 11, and will last 105 days. While the unprecedented virtual structure presents many challenges, rest assured we will be hard at work communicating with lawmakers throughout the session.