(1)(a) The secretary of the department of social and health services and the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families shall actively participate in the development of a nongovernmental private-public initiative focused on coordinating government and philanthropic organizations’ investments in the positive development of children and preventing and mitigating the effects of adverse childhood experiences. The secretaries shall convene a planning group to work with interested private partners to: (i) Develop a process by which the goals identified in RCW 70.305.005 shall be met; and (ii) develop recommendations for inclusive and diverse governance to advance the adverse childhood experiences initiative.

(b) The secretaries shall select no more than twelve to fifteen persons as members of the planning group. The members selected must represent a diversity of interests including: Early learning coalitions, community public health and safety networks, organizations that work to prevent and address child abuse and neglect, tribes, representatives of public agency agencies involved with interventions in or prevention of adverse childhood experiences, philanthropic organizations, and organizations focused on community mobilization.

(c) The secretaries shall cochair the planning group meetings and shall convene the first meeting.

(2) In addition to other powers granted to the secretary of the department of social and health services, the secretary of the department of social and health services may:

(a) Enter into contracts on behalf of the department of social and health services to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

(b) Provide funding to communities or any governance entity that is created as a result of the partnership; and

(c) Accept gifts, grants, or other funds for the purposes of this chapter.

Effective date—2018 c 58: See note following RCW 28A.655.080.

Transition plan—Report to the legislature—2011 1st sp.s. c 32: See note following RCW 70.305.005.