Greetings YDEKC Members and Friends –
I would like to introduce myself to you! My name is Rene Murry and I have joined YDEKC as the Public Policy Manager for the organization. I began working with YDEKC Feb 22nd and I have been working in Olympia for the end of the Legislative Session.
Please find below the Advocacy Agenda that was shared with many of our State Representatives and Senators who represent areas of King County. I am writing to request your participation in 4 action items. There are 2 bills in which we would like you to request action, send a statement regarding the budget and a thank you is due to law makers in regard to HB 1999.
The bills needing action are: HB 2834: Regarding Homeless Youth and HB 2439: Regarding Children’s Mental Health. The message can be “please support and fund” to both of these bills. The thank you goes to Representatives and Senators for HB 1999. Please see the statement from Treehouse below that you can use as an example:
Greetings Treehouse Legislative Advocates,
As you may recall from last year’s legislative session, Treehouse has been working diligently toward passing HB1999 which will help coordinate education services for youth in foster care, including the Treehouse Graduation Success and Educational Advocacy programs. We are so grateful for all of you who reached out to your legislators over the past few years to support this important legislation.
We are thrilled to share that as of last night HB1999 has passed in both the House and the Senate! Next step, Governor Inslee’s desk for signature!
We would greatly appreciate it if you could thank your legislators for passing HB1999. A new action has been added to the Advocacy Action Center for you to easily e-mail your legislators today.
Thank you for being a voice for youth in foster care. Together, we have helped Washington State get one huge step closer to leading the nation in educational outcomes for youth in foster care!
The Treehouse Team
We would also like to ask you to reach out in support of a budget that works to support children, youth and families. You may want to consider language similar to the statement below:
Dear Senator or Representative “X”
Please move forward a budget that helps young people reach their full potential. When supports for children and youth are provided, youth can become mentors and guides for young children, they learn to support their peers and are better able to contribute to their homes and work force. Supported youth can help to become better parents and give them the potential to connect across generations. We ask that you make no cuts to services for children, youth and families and continue to make the appropriate investments in support of programs in their communities.
If you are not certain of your legislative district, Representative or Senator, please use this link below to find out this information.
Thank you for any efforts you can make regarding these bills and the budget in the next day or two. The time for advocacy is now, the bill cut off is March 4th, therefore, your speedy attention to these items would be appreciated.
I look forward to working with you in advancing our common goals in advocacy and public policy.
Rene Murry, Public Policy Manager