Leader of Washington’s child welfare agency won’t seek reappointment
Leader of Washington's child welfare agency won't seek reappointment KING5.com
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Department of Children, Youth and Families Secretary Ross Hunter Won’t Seek Reappointment
The top leader of the state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) won’t seek reappointment once a new governor takes office in January, according to an internal all-staff email obtained by KING 5.
Announcement by Ross Hunter
Ross Hunter, the secretary of the child welfare department, announced his decision to employees on Tuesday. He said he will not seek reappointment after a new governor, either Democrat Bob Ferguson or Republican Dave Reichert who are both in the running, is elected in November and takes office in January 2025.
Reason for Decision
“It’s a hard, hard decision to make, but it’s the normal course of events for large cabinet agencies,” he said in a video message. “New governors come in and they want to be able to make their own choices about who serves. I want to give room for the new governor, whoever that may be, to make that choice.”
Leadership of Ross Hunter
Hunter, a former seven-term state representative, has led DCYF since Gov. Jay Inslee appointed him to the cabinet-level position in 2017 when the child welfare agency was formed.
Challenges Faced by DCYF
He’s been publicly scrutinized in recent years for his leadership of the state’s newest agency, which has faced a series of challenges since its creation, including high-profile lawsuits, violent attacks on frontline workers, inadequate placements of at-risk foster youth, and multiple escapes from one of the state’s medium-maximum security juvenile rehabilitation facilities.
Unionized DCYF Workers’ Attempt
In December 2023, unionized DCYF workers tried to oust Hunter with a vote of “no confidence,” but failed to collect enough signatures for the moment urging Inslee to fire and replace him.
Concerns Raised by Workers
Hundreds of workers claim Hunter did not address concerns such as unmanageable caseloads, frequent staff turnover, and unsafe working conditions, KING 5 previously reported.
Successes of the Department
In his letter to staff, Hunter praised the success of the department. DCYF decreased the number of children and youth in out-of-home care from 9,171 in 2018 to 4,971 children in 2024, nearly in half, according to agency data. This is the lowest rate for out-of-home care since the 1980s.
He also highlighted that the agency has increased kinship placements to nearly 60% in 2024, up from 46% in 2017.
Reason for Stepping Aside
As for his decision, Hunter also said he recently turned 63, and that he feels it’s his time to step aside.
“This is a pretty challenging job that I have done for longer than most secretaries in these human services agencies, and I think longer than almost anyone nationally,” he said in the video. “It’s time.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.3 – Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable | The article does not mention any indicators related to this target. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.7 – By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs | The article does not mention any indicators related to this target. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.7 – By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development | The article does not mention any indicators related to this target. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2 – Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation | The article mentions violent attacks on frontline workers, which can be considered as indicators of violence against women and girls. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.8 – Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment | The article mentions concerns about unsafe working conditions, which can be considered as an indicator of the need to promote safe and secure working environments. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 – By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | The article does not mention any indicators related to this target. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.6 – Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | The article does not mention any indicators related to this target. |
Source: king5.com
