While the legislative session officially ended in April, I wish I could say I have been taking it easy during the interim break. However, I use it as an opportunity to meet with constituents, travel the state meeting with stakeholders on issues I care about, ensure implementation of recently passed legislation, serve on committees and task forces and more. Below is a quick look at some of what I have been up to.
During the House of Representatives “Committee Assembly Days,” our legislative committees meet to hear about the implementation of recently passed laws, preview major issues that may come before us in the next legislative session, and receive reports on various topics from state agencies. The Human Services and Early Learning Committee, which I chair, spent its time focused on exploring racial disproportionality in safety net services, the child welfare system and juvenile justice.
We invited the Department of Social and Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth and Families to present key data to the Committee and specific efforts to confront institutional racism.
From the presentations, it was readily apparent that communities of color, particularly Black and Native American individuals, face institutional barriers to accessing services. Black and Native American individuals were less likely to receive an extension to their TANF benefits. Moreover, it was clearly demonstrated that our policies disproportionately impacted communities of color. Testimony in committee revealed that Native American children were 2.88 times more likely to be removed from their homes during child welfare proceedings than white children who were also considered for child welfare removals.
Additionally, we heard from two women who testified about their personal experience with our state’s social and human services. Jennifer, of the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska Aleut and Snohomish Tribe, spent years in foster care separated from her siblings also in care. At one point, she was interacting with six different agencies to support herself, her siblings, and her own child – who she was raising as a single-mother. She spoke to the committee about the need to recognize cultural differences and holistically tackle institutional racism, so that people of color can be spared the disproportionate difficulties that she experienced.
It is clear state agencies are taking meaningful steps toward ensuring policies and practices are provided fairly. It’s also clear that we have a long way to go. We’ll continue to hold agencies accountable and engage in conversations about equity as we prepare for the 2020 legislative session.
Another part of being a committee chair is seeing how the decisions we make are being experienced on the ground. This year we made substantial changes to early learning and childcare policies. To help get the word out and gather feedback and insights from around the state, I’m hitting the road! I recently returned from Bellingham where I visited childcares and met with providers, early learning coaches and parents. Yakima, Spokane and Vancouver are up next!
In September, I traveled to Milwaukee…twice…to speak at the Prevent Child Abuse America Conference and attend the Alliance for Early Success conference. I brought back information and perspectives on best practices to implement in Washington and shared our state’s progress in the hopes that families everywhere can receive the support they need to succeed.
My role as the Co-Chair of the Department of Children, Youth and Families Oversight Board has also brought me to Tacoma and Olympia. With individuals and representatives from organizations and services focused on kids in child welfare, early learning and juvenile justice, we are looking at the overarching goals and functions of the department to ensure it lives up to the goals expressed during its creation just a mere two years ago.
Thank you for following along with this update about the work I do in our community, Olympia, and the state to ensure that our families flourish. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Tana
