The Thriving Children and Youth Section coordinates with national, state, and local partners. Our work helps improve the health, safety and well-being of children, youth, young adults and their parents, caregivers, and families. Our vision is working toward all children and youth in Washington thriving in safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments. We embrace DOH’s three cornerstone values—equity, engagement, and innovation— across all areas of our work.
Our work helps:
- Promote healthy social, emotional, and mental development from early childhood through young adulthood.
- Improve access to youth and family-centered health care services, information, and supports.
- Advance policy and system changes that improve family economic security and strengthen community support for parents and families,
- Strengthen collaboration and coordination across child, youth, and family-serving state and local systems.
Units
Child Health
The Child Health Unit (CHU) supports the physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of young children (birth through age 11) and their families. CHU partners with local health jurisdictions, state agencies, community-based organizations, parents, and others to build and strengthen state and local systems to improve health and safety of children and their families. Key initiatives include:
- Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems: Health Integration for Prenatal-to Three
- Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems: Evidence to Impact
- Essentials for Childhood: Child Maltreatment Prevention
Contact: Angie Funaiole, Unit Supervisor
Adolescent Health
The Adolescent and Young Adult Health Unit (AYAH) uses data and innovation to support adolescents and young adults (ages 12-25 years) across the state to receive the skills, health care, and social/emotional support needed to reach their optimal state of health. Key program areas include:
- Youth Advisory Council
- Resources for Young People, including Teen Health Hub WA
- WA Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)
- School-Based Health Center Program
Contact: Rabeeha Ghaffar, Unit Supervisor
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Unit promotes connected systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs from birth through transition to adulthood. The unit works with national, state, local, and community partners to help connect CYSHCN and their families to the health and related services they need to thrive. Some areas of focus include:
- Family Engagement, including Family Advisory Council
- CYSHCN Care Coordination
- CYSHCN Nutrition
- Medical Home for Children and Youth with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities
- Pediatric Mental Health Care Access
Contact: Monica Burke, Unit Supervisor
Contact
Astrid Newell, Section Manager, 360-236-2464