The Department of Children, Youth, and Families has big goals. We want to make life better for all families, not just those we serve. We want to take a new approach to contracting that will support providers throughout the state to make an even bigger impact for families and communities.

By building a new agency, DCYF is preparing to integrate and align early learning, child welfare, and juvenile rehabilitation services in Washington. Before we can effectively improve programs and services for children, youth and families, we need to first set goals by which we can measure our effectiveness.

State agency will take preventative approach to child welfare, help children and families overcome barriers to success

Governor Inslee signed HB 1661 on July 6, 2017 creating the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The DCYF will restructure how the state serves at-risk children with the goal of producing better outcomes for at-risk kids.

On Aug. 1, 2017 I officially stepped into my new role as Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. I can’t fully describe how excited, nervous, and hopeful I am about taking on this work.

The monumental task of creating a new agency is well underway, and I am eager to share with you our progress thus far. We’re trying to take a thoughtful and inclusive approach to this work, one that brings to bear the immense expertise from staff and the field as we make critical decisions for the new agency.

I am very excited to have submitted the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ very first budget request to the Governor’s office this week. Even though we’re working towards only a supplemental budget, it feels like a milestone in “realness” for the new agency.