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HB 2185 - Concerning the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs advisory committee. ¶

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Section 1 ¶

1. There is created the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs within the department.

2. Activities of the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs must be carried out by a director of the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs, supervised by the director of the department or his or her designee.

3. The office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs is responsible for leading efforts under this subchapter to coordinate a spectrum of ongoing and future funding, policy, and practice efforts related to homeless youth and improving the safety, health, and welfare of homeless youth in this state.

4. The measurable goals of the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs are to: (a) Measurably decrease the number of homeless youth and young adults by identifying programs that address the initial causes of homelessness, and (b) measurably increase permanency rates among homeless youth by decreasing the length and occurrences of youth homelessness caused by a youth's separation from family or a legal guardian.

5. The office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs shall (a) gather data and outcome measures, (b) initiate data-sharing agreements, (c) develop specific recommendations and timelines to address funding, policy, and practice gaps within the state system for addressing the five key components in RCW 43.330.700, (d) make reports, (e) increase system integration and coordinate efforts to prevent state systems from discharging youth and young adults into homelessness, (f) develop measures to include by county and statewide the number of homeless youth, dependency status, family reunification status, housing status, program participation, and runaway status, and (g) develop a comprehensive plan to encourage identification of youth experiencing homelessness, promote family stability, and eliminate youth and young adult homelessness.

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   1. The office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs shall regularly consult with an advisory committee, comprised of :

      1. Advocates;

      2. At least two legislators;

      3. At least two parent advocates;

      4. At least two youth or young adult representatives;

   2. At least one representative from law enforcement;

   6. Service providers;

   7. At least two individuals over the age of 25 who experienced homelessness or involvement with a publicly funded system of care as defined in RCW 43.330.720 at some point while age 12 through 24;

   8. At least two individuals who represent populations that are disproportionately homeless or have experience in a publicly funded system of care as defined in RCW 43.330.720 in the youth and young adult population which includes but is not limited to individuals with a tribal affiliation, people of color, and people with a disability; and

    ix. Other stakeholders knowledgeable in the provision of services to homeless youth and young adults, including the prevention of youth and young adult homelessness, the dependency system, and family reunification.
   

   2. The advisory committee shall provide guidance and recommendations to the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs regarding funding, policy, and practice gaps within and among state programs.

   3. The advisory committee must be staffed by the department.

   4. The members of the advisory committee must be appointed by the governor, except for the legislators who must be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.

   5. A young adult serving on the advisory committee who turns age 25 during their term may complete their term on the advisory committee even though they are age 25.

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