Government Affairs

The DCYF Government Affairs (GA) team works with agency leadership, staff, and community partners to advance agency priorities, building on the framework of our Strategic and Racial Equity Plan.

The GA team also manages inter-agency and cross-agency relationships to assist in implementing legislation and to help remove barriers that prevent program staff from meeting program goals. The team provides tools and support to divisions and programs for developing and accomplishing policy ideas to achieve positive outcomes and to advance equity for children, youth, and families.

DCYF Agency Request Legislation

The GA team works closely with DCYF program staff and leadership to develop Agency Request Legislation (bills requested by an agency) that we submit to the Governor’s Office for approval. If approved, this request legislation can be introduced during the legislative session by a lawmaker, and will ideally lead to policy improvements in serving Washington’s children, youth, and families.

DCYF and the State Budget

The GA team works closely with DCYF program staff and the DCYF Fiscal Division to develop budget requests (called Decision Packages) that ensure adequate funding for all of our program areas, as well as advance agency goals of better serving children, youth, and families. These budget requests are submitted to the Governor every fall for inclusion in his biennial or supplemental state budget proposal. You can view other agency decision packages at the Office of Financial Management’s website.

DCYF 2024 Agency Request Legislation

  • DCYF has submitted Agency Request Legislation for the 2024 Legislative Session related to ESIT monthly counts.

DCYF 2024 Budget Requests

OFM agency decision package documents:

Please see below for one-page summaries of DCYF’s policy-level budget proposals:

DCYF 2023 Agency Request Legislation

  • DCYF has submitted Agency Request Legislation for the 2023 Legislative Session related to the Guardianship Assistance Program and Background Check and Licensing Fees and Schedules. 

DCYF 2023 Budget Requests

OFM agency decision package documents:

DCYF has produced one-page summaries about our budget proposals:

DCYF 2022 Supplemental Agency Request Legislation

DCYF 2022 Supplemental Budget Requests

DCYF's Supplemental Budget requests were funded in the 2022 Legislative Session.

2022 DCYF Decision Packages and Agency Request Legislation Overview
Indian Child Welfare Act
Kinship Caregiver Engagement Unit
Combined In-home Services
Placement Continuum
ECEAP Converted Slots and Program Supports
Family Time Rates

DCYF 2021-2023 Biennial Budget Requests

The enacted 2021-2023 biennial budget for the state of Washington is on the Office of Financial Management website. Information about DCYF’s operating budget begins on page 275 with Section 226 of the budget bill.

About the Washington State Budget

Washington State has a two-year (or biennial) budget. During odd years the legislature enacts the biennial budget, and during even years they amend that budget through a supplemental budget. The Washington State fiscal year begins on July 1. DCYF’s work is funded with state, federal, and private dollars. Learn more:

Updates and Webinars

To inform partners and stakeholders of developments during the legislative process, the GA team holds regular webinars and meetings to share information on proposed and enacted legislation and budget provisos related to the work of DCYF. View past updates:

February 26, 2024

Mid-Session Webinar

January 11, 2024
Governor's Budget: DCYF Investment Overview

September 21, 2023
Agency Request Legislation and Decision Packages Webinar

May 12, 2023
End-of-Legislative Session Update: DCYF Investment Overview

April 5, 2023
Mid-Session Update: DCYF Investment Overview

January 6, 2023
Governor’s Budget: DCYF Investment Overview

September 23, 2022
Budget and Policy Submitted Proposals Webinar

March 23, 2022
End-of-Session Budget and Policy Update

February 25, 2022
Mid-Session Supplemental Budget Update

January 6, 2022
Governor’s Budget and Supplemental Session Update

October 1, 2021
Budget and Policy Submitted Proposals Webinar

May 4, 2021
End of Session Wrap Up Presentation

April 2, 2021
Mid-Session Budget Overview

January 5, 2021
Governor’s Proposed Budget Overview

September 22, 2020
Budget and Policy Submitted Proposals Webinar

June 3, 2020 
Budget Webinar

May 20, 2020
Budget Update Webinar

March 2, 2020
Legislative Update Webinar

January 8, 2020
Governors 2020 Supplemental Budget Proposal Webinar

December 9, 2019
Vendor Reimbursement Rate Increase Process Webinar

October, 11, 2019
DCYF Legislative Update Webinar

August 9, 2019
DCYF Legislative Update Webinar

May 10, 2019
DCYF 2019 Legislative Session Recap

April 5, 2019
DCYF Stakeholder Legislative Update


Sign up for event invitations
by entering your email address,
then selecting DCYF Stakeholder Groups.