A few moments ago, Governor-elect Ferguson announced Rep. Tana Senn as the next Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. You can find the announcement in the attached release.
Tana Senn, current State Representative from the 41st Legislative District, serves as the Chair of the House Human Services Committee and has been very engaged in the DCYF work from this role for years. Her career spans the private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.
Tana shared, “Supporting kids and families has been a longstanding priority of mine. After more than a decade of shaping policy in this critical space, I am honored to be asked to serve as Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and I look forward to creating a direct, meaningful impact for our most vulnerable communities.”
Tana Senn will assume the role on January 16.
- DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter
Governor-elect Ferguson Announces New Department of Children, Youth, and Families Director
State Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) will serve as the next Director for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The mission of DCYF is to ensure that all Washington youth grow up safe and healthy. DCYF administers a variety of early learning and child welfare programs, including child care and foster care programs, child protective services, and more.
“Tana Senn is a well-respected, innovative leader on issues related to supporting Washington children and families,” said Governor-elect Ferguson. “I am thrilled that she will serve as Director at DCYF and confident she will ensure this critical state agency works better for the kids and the families of our great state.”
“Supporting kids and families has been a longstanding priority of mine,” said Representative Senn. “After more than a decade of shaping policy in this critical space, I am honored to be asked to serve as Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth and Families and look forward to creating direct, meaningful impact for our most vulnerable communities.”
Tana Senn is a dedicated and experienced State Representative for Washington's 41st Legislative District, having served in this role since 2013. Throughout her tenure, she has been a champion for children, education, and behavioral health. As the current chair of the Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning Committee, she has played a key role in advancing major policy initiatives and state investment aimed at improving the well-being of families and children in Washington state.
Senn is widely recognized for her leadership on significant pieces of legislation, including the Fair Start for Kids Act, which focuses on early learning and child care, the Equal Pay Opportunity Act, which seeks to close gender wage gaps, and the zero emissions school bus bill, which aims to reduce pollution and create a healthier environment for students. In addition to her work on these transformative laws, she has been instrumental in shaping state policy on child welfare, youth mental health, and human services.
Before entering the Washington State Legislature, Senn worked in government relations and communications for 15 years in the private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. She also served on the Mercer Island City Council, maintaining a commitment to city issues throughout her legislative tenure.
Senn earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in public policy and administration from Columbia University. This academic foundation has informed her work on critical policy issues affecting children, families, and communities.
In addition to her legislative work, Senn is highly involved in her community and nationally. She currently serves as co-president of the National Association of Jewish Legislators and is active on the boards of local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and the University of Washington’s Master's in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology program. She has previously held leadership roles with several other organizations, such as Hopelink, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and the Mercer Island Youth & Family Services Foundation.
Senn is deeply committed to public service, balancing her work in the legislature with family life alongside her husband, Kevin. They have two grown children, one of whom serves as an officer in the U.S. Army, while the other is attending college.
Senn’s broad experience in public policy, communications, and community engagement has made her a respected leader in Washington state, particularly in areas affecting youth, families, and underserved communities.
The appointment is effective January 15, 2025.
(Source: Media Release from Governor-elect Bob Ferguson)