Governor Inslee signed HB 1661 on July 6, 2017, creating the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). DCYF restructures how the state serves at-risk children and youth with the goal of producing better outcomes in all Washington communities.
DCYF oversees several services now offered previously through the state Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Early Learning (DEL). These include all programs from the Children’s Administration, such as Child Protective Services, the Family Assessment Response program and adoption support, as well as all DEL services, including the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program for preschoolers and Working Connections Child Care.
As of July 1, 2019, DCYF also administers programs offered by the Juvenile Rehabilitation office, the Office of Juvenile Justice and the Child Care Subsidy Program. Those programs include juvenile rehabilitation institutions, community facilities and parole services.