OJJ reorganized inside DCYF; council urged to help fill vacancies that can delay federal funds

Jenny (OJJ staff) told the Partnership Council that the Office of Juvenile Justice has been reorganized within DCYF into a new community engagement and youth justice division and introduced the division director, Corey Redmond.

“OJJ was moved out of the community engagement team to be its own office within this new division,” Jenny said, explaining the structural change and the effect on internal reporting lines. Corey Redmond (S15) introduced himself and described nearly 30 years in juvenile justice, including oversight of passthrough funding to juvenile courts and a prior acting stint in OJJ leadership.

Staff described upcoming opportunities and operational items: limited funds are available to send council members to the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians midyear convention (May 18–21 in Ferndale), and DCYF will host town halls on juvenile rehabilitation capacity planning in Eastern and Western Washington to inform a legislative capital budget directive on shifting capacity to smaller regional facilities.

The council discussed board and commission recruitment and term‑length equity. Jenny said several applications are with the governor’s office and she expects movement after the legislative session. She also warned that council membership gaps can block federal grants: staff reported a hold on the council’s 2024 application that must be resolved by restoring minimum membership so funds can be accessed.

Members asked for clearer notice of upcoming term expirations and agreed staff would provide a breakdown of who occupies which position and when terms end. OJJ also asked council members to help recruit candidates for identified vacancies.