YDEKC Shared Advocacy Agenda – March 2018 View this email in your browser
Youth Development Executives of King County
Working to advance the youth development field
Deep Dive into Advocacy: Our Shared Agenda
The 2018 Legislation Session has come to a close and we have had many successes for children, youth and families. This good work came to pass due to the chorus of advocates that have been meeting, marching, writing and calling their WA state Representatives and Senators for years. I personally thank you for any part you played in this work. Please read on for updates at the various levels of government where YDEKC staff and members are engaged.
Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to have access to timely information between our more formal newsletters.
My thanks,
René Murry
Public Policy Manager, Youth Development Executives of King County
ydekc.org | rmurry@ydekc.org | 206.336.6913
King County Activity
Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account
The funding for the Puget Sound Taxpayers Accountability Account came through at the very end of the legislative session. The YDEKC advocacy committee has decided that YDEKC should convene a meeting regarding this account, which sets aside funding during the building of ST3 for “educational supports for vulnerable, foster and homeless youth” in King County. The funds will be distributed by King County council. A consultant will be hired by King County to evaluate the issue and make recommendations to council in the fall. YDEKC will hold a conversation regarding these funds in April.
Best Starts for Kids
BSK is now accepting applications for Trauma-Informed and Restorative Practices due April 9th.
Washington State Activity
2018 Legislative Session
We had several successes in YDEKC supported areas in the 2018 legislative session! Funding for High Quality Expended Learning Opportunities was included for $750,000. HB 1570 was passed, increasing the document recording fee and stopped the sun setting of this fee. This money will go to support services for the homeless. HB 2330, a bill to strengthen Extended Foster Care, was also passed, and the Expansion for the Passport for college, adding more youth from foster care and homelessness that can qualify. The ability for Youth to consent to participate in the King County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) was also successful. The Legislature also agreed to fully fund the State Need Grant over the next four years.
YDEKC supported FINS (Families in Need of Services) but this legislation was a big body of work changing the way the courts respond to children and families in need. Opposition occurred from judges and the court system, so more work will need to be done to put this bill forward in the 2019 session.
There was amazing progress in Children’s Mental Health. Breakfast after the Bell, serving children and youth breakfast after they get to school, was also passed this session.
Please find the link here from Partners for Our Children for a review of other bills and issues that you may find of interest regarding the population we serve:
https://partnersforourchildren.org/policy/updates/week-nine-sine-die
Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Secretary Hunter and his staff are holding community conversation across the state. They have heard from YDEKC about the value of including a Youth Development office or something similar into the new DCYF, but it would be helpful to have more of a CHORUS than a lone voice or two! Secretary Hunter and his staff will be hosting a South Seattle listening session on March 27th.
Talking points include:
- Prevention and keeping children and youth out of the welfare or juvenile rehabilitation system is a primary goal of the work of this new Dept effort. Given this directive, it would be helpful to have an office at the state level that could speak to that priority and perhaps even direct funds in the future to preventive work.
- We recommend a model that could collaborate with EXISTING Community Based organizations and connect with OSPI in Expanded Learning efforts.
- Oregon has a model with a Youth Development office that could be considered.
- An office for Adolescent Services is a start, but our concerns speak to the ages of 5-young adult and would request that the Department take that age range into consideration.
City Level Activity
Seattle Issues
Seattle City Council Conversation on Education
Seattle City Hall – Bertha Knight Landes, 3/23/2018, 9:30AM-3:30PM
Councilmembers González, Johnson, and Mosqueda invite education advocates, families, and students to join us for the first of several conversations with Council on what education could look like in Seattle. Please RSVP via Facebook or via email; you can also email questions to Vy Nguyen at vy.nguyen@seattle.gov. Childcare and interpretation available upon request by end of day 3/21.
Seattle Human Services Coalition has begun their budget recommendation process. If you would like to consider applying for new money in the general fund for your organization, please see the information below to participate in this process:
All SHSC members have the opportunity to submit recommendations directly to SHSC for inclusion in our recommendation portfolio for City of Seattle 2019-20 Budget Policy.
Recommenders’ Charette
East Cherry YWCA, 2820 E. Cherry St, 4/16/2018, 10:30AM-2:30PM
Members writing recommendations will describe their idea then hear from each other, giving them/you the opportunity strengthen your recommendation by reaching across service-area silos, benefit from different perspectives, or hear if anyone else has a similar idea and wants to collaborate. RSVP for these trainings by contacting Kim Chae at SHSC, 206/325-7105, kchae@shscoalition.org.
Seattle Community Police Commission
Roxana Garcia has taken a position with the Community Police Commission as the Community Engagement Supervisor. She is interested in meeting with anyone who would like to know more about the Community Engagement work and would like to connect with those who are interested in Police Accountability. The Commission will be opening up applications for commissioners soon; please contact her atroxana.garcia@seattle.gov if you have more questions regarding the process.
Safe and Thriving Youth and Adults
Catherine Lester met with several Executive Directors from Youth Programs on March 7th to speak to the new RFP that will be released in April titled Safe and Thriving Youth and Adults. She spoke to Results Based Accountability and some key points for the upcoming RFP. More information is available on the Seattle Human Services website, its funding opportunities page, Catherine’s slidedeck, and baseline data.
Resources & Opportunities
Boards in Gear: Online and in Seattle
University Heights Center, 3/27/2018, 4:00PM-8:00PM
The why, what, who, and how of board leadership! Presented by Nancy Bacon. $15 for Washington Nonprofits Members, and $20 for Not-Yet-Members.
Amplifying Youth Voice:
- Youth Led March For Our Lives: Cal Anderson Park to Key Arena, 3/24/2018, 10:00AM
- Voter Registration and Civic Engagement Summit hosted by YDEKC & SOAR: Spring 2018, Date and Location TBD
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Youth Development Executives of King County (YDEKC) is a coalition of youth-serving organizations working together to improve outcomes for young people.