Tuesday Open Thread

Governor Inslee has opened a new state office called the Department of Children, Youth and Families.   The home page highlights adoption, early learning, foster children, child development services and child protection services.  On their Outcome Goals, they list: education, health and resilience.

In order to provide services in a way that accomplishes this vision, the new agency must measure the outcomes of each generation, paying particular attention to unequal outcomes for low-income children and families, communities of color, and other often marginalized groups. As we consider what outcomes we will set as goals for the new agency, we continue to ask ourselves two critical questions: how will we know that children, youth, and families are thriving, and what will need to be true to ensure this?

So, whether you are a parent, caregiver, state agency employee, service provider, or a Washingtonian who cares about the future of our children, we know you have important insight into what these overarching outcome goals might be. If you want to weigh in on this process, please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey. You can also always reach us at oiaa@dcyf.wa.gov with ideas or questions.

I met with Superintendent Juneau yesterday and I'll have a thread up on that interview soon.

BECU offers a number of grants.  One grant area now accepting nominations from BECU members is People Helping People.  

Every year, we ask our members to nominate local organizations. The community then votes to determine the winner of the People's Choice Award. It's a way for us to recognize and honor both members and organizations in our communities that exemplify one of the most important values BECU was founded on: helping others. 

It looks like Bellevue teachers may have negotiated themselves a raise of  over 19%.  They vote on the new contract thru Friday.  Wonder where SEA is on their contract?

I'll have a news roundup of privacy issues but this story is a good start.  In Florida a law stemming from the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school was passed that now asks parents for one more thing when enrolling their child in public schools.  From the Florida Phoenix:

But the newest registration requirement this upcoming school year is a little-noticed provision that is now drawing concern, confusion and criticism as administrators grapple with Florida’s new school safety law.

That law says that each student – at the time of initial school registration – must disclose if they’ve been referred for mental health services. Parents and guardians will typically fill out and sign the registration forms.

Put in context, the mental health registration requirement is part of other information that must be disclosed at registration, such as “previous school expulsions, arrests resulting in a charge, juvenile justice actions, and referrals to mental health services…,” according to the law.

But with few details and instruction in the law, parents and educators are now in a quandary: How much information should be reported? What kind of mental health issues would be included? What if a student has ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) or anxiety-related testing? What about teen depression? What happens if a parent refuses to disclose information? Will a student be blocked from entering school?

No matter what, “This perpetuates the stigma,” said Alisa LaPolt, executive director of the Florida office of the National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI).

What's on your mind?