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Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Secretary Ross Hunter announced a series of leadership and organizational changes designed to adapt DCYF’s structure to evolving needs in pursuit of its mission of protecting children and strengthening families.
Organizational changes include:
- Dr. Vickie Ybarra will step in as Interim Assistant Secretary of Partnership, Prevention, and Services division, with Dr. Sarah Veele leading the Office of Innovation, Alignment, and Accountability as Interim Director.
- Former Assistant Secretary of Partnership, Prevention and Services, Steve Grilli is moving on to explore other opportunities after a successful career at the agency. Secretary Hunter expressed his gratitude for the leadership Steve provided DCYF for most of the history of the agency.
- Ruben Reeves has been promoted to DCYF’s Assistant Secretary of Licensing after serving in that role in an interim capacity with solid results.
- All assistant secretaries will continue to report to Secretary Hunter directly.
- Frank Ordway is taking on the role of Deputy Secretary of Operations. Frank will focus on racial equity and social justice at the agency, administrative services, finance and budget, information technology, and human resources.
- Jenny Heddin is now DCYF’s Deputy Secretary - Chief of Staff, focused on programs, strategic initiatives, and assisting in decision-making, communication, and coordination of DCYF’s activities.
- The Public Affairs function, including government relations, communications, constituent relations and community engagement will report directly to Secretary Hunter under leadership from Allison Krutsinger, Director of Public Affairs
Secretary Hunter noted that the changes will help provide clarity about DCYF mission and plans.
He also thanked staff for their tireless work “to keep children safe, to strengthen families, and to help kids develop into the healthy young people we all know they can be.”
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