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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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State sets up new department for families

OLYMPIA – With 14-month-old Elias Shiovitz on his lap, Gov. Jay Inslee signs legislation creating a new state Department of Children, Youth and Families that will merge parts of the Department of Social and Health Services and some juvenile justice functions into with the current Department of Early Learning over the next two years. (Jim Camden / The Spokesman-Review)

OLYMPIA – Washington will combine parts of several agencies into a new Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation creating the new department, and named former state Rep. Ross Hunter to lead the transition as some parts of the Department of Social and Health Services that deal with family issues and the juvenile justice system are combined with the Department of Early Learning over the next two years.