In The News

Washington Senate legislation recently approved by the House aims to enhance foster care support for young people aged 18 to 21. “Young people have expressed their need for continued support as they transition to living on their own,” Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Auburn, the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement. “Extending support through these few critical years can make or break the ...

OLYMPIA, Wash.- A bill which would increase the number of people eligible to receive financial assistance after being released by the Department of Corrections (DOC) has passed the Washington State Senate. SB 5893 would expand a 2023 policy which increased the amount of money that individuals being discharged by the DOC receive when they leave government custody. Referred to as “gate money,” ...

In an opinion piece in the Federal Way Mirror, Federal Way resident Keith Livingston shares some thoughts on SB 5644 and how the sealing of juvenile criminal records relates to public safety and recidivism.   https://www.federalwaymirror.com/opinion/a-closer-look-at-the-sealing-of-juvenile-crime-records-livingston/

On Jan. 19, The Imprint published this story on Sen. Claire Wilson's SB 6109: Western States Wrestle With a Child Welfare Response to Addictive Drugs  

The Columbia Basin Herald reported on Sen. Claire Wilson's SB 5908 to extend foster support services for people leaving foster homes upon adulthood.

WA lawmakers eye expanding foster care to 18 to 21-year olds

Washington is unlikely to see a huge drop in child care services even as federal pandemic aid supporting providers dries up.

Federal Way raised the Juneteenth flag on June 16, commemorating both the emancipation of enslaved people and the work that remains to achieve equality in the U.S.

Adults with lived experiences of sex trafficking will get support and transition services to reduce the trauma, violence and impact as part of a new law that goes into effect on July 23.

A new law simultaneously increasing access to affordable childcare and strengthening Washington’s childcare workforce is now on the books.  Senate Bill 5225 aims to allow more families to qualify for state-subsidized childcare through the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program — which is set to expand its eligibility.

Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed a bill intended to help survivors of sex trafficking access housing, health services and more in Washington. “This is important because many survivors don’t know that services exist and there are people available to support them through their journey to healing,” said Jeri Moomaw, executive director of Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative and co-founder of Washington Against ...