Special to the Reporter
State Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) will serve as the next director for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
The mission of DCYF is to ensure that all Washington youth grow up safe and healthy. DCYF administers a variety of early learning and child welfare programs, including child care and foster care programs, child protective services, and more.
“Tana Senn is a well-respected, innovative leader on issues related to supporting Washington children and families,” said Governor-elect Bob Ferguson. “I am thrilled that she will serve as director at DCYF and confident she will ensure this critical state agency works better for the kids and the families of our great state.”
“Supporting kids and families has been a longstanding priority of mine,” said Senn. “After more than a decade of shaping policy in this critical space, I am honored to be asked to serve as Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth and Families and look forward to creating direct, meaningful impact for our most vulnerable communities.”
Senn is a dedicated and experienced state representative for Washington’s 41st Legislative District, having served in this role since 2013. Throughout her tenure, she has been a champion for children, education, and behavioral health. As the current chair of the Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning Committee, she has played a key role in advancing major policy initiatives and state investment aimed at improving the well-being of families and children in Washington state.
Senn is widely recognized for her leadership on significant pieces of legislation, including the Fair Start for Kids Act, which focuses on early learning and child care, the Equal Pay Opportunity Act, which seeks to close gender wage gaps, and the zero emissions school bus bill, which aims to reduce pollution and create a healthier environment for students. In addition to her work on these transformative laws, she has been instrumental in shaping state policy on child welfare, youth mental health, and human services.
The appointment is effective Jan. 15, 2025.
