Washington Initiative for Boys and Men
Advocating for improved outcomes for boys, men, and communities
Posts about issues that apply to Washington state as a whole or issues that are within Washington but outside the Seattle area:
A team of people created a draft of a screening tool designed to surface issues that dads in Washington are facing that otherwise might go unsurfaced. This questionnaire, to be administered for example at a doctor appointment, is designed for men to be able to receive helpful feedback and guidance toward resources.
Representative April Berg’s House Bill 2401 failed to pass the House of Representatives by the February 17 cutoff. The bill passed the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee by a 5 to 2 vote on January 30, and it passed the Appropriations Committee 22 to 8 on February 9. But it didn’t make it to the House floor for a vote in time.
After making a few changes yesterday to House Bill 2401, the House Appropriations Committee passed the bill by a 22 to 8 vote, bringing a Washington Boys & Men Commission a step closer to reality. Watch the 9-minute video.
The legislation to create a Washington Boys & Men Commission passed the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Relations by a 5 to 2 vote on Friday, January 30. Watch the 2-minute video.
On Friday January 9, Representative April Berg (D-Mill Creek) introduced House Bill 2401 establishing the Washington boys and men commission. It garnered a total of 19 Democratic sponsors and 1 Republican sponsor, Rep. Michelle Valdez. On Tuesday January 13, Representative Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) introduced House Bill 2461 establishing the Washington commission on boys and men. It garnered a total of 18 Republican sponsors and 0 Democratic sponsors.
“In the dust of that little chair, what has become of our Little Boy Blue?” A guest contribution by Terry Oxley, retired Army officer and a past Board Director of USO Northwest and the Washington Youth Academy Foundation.
Plus: dads talk about their babies, advocacy support from Eastside Democrats, an upcoming conference on What Boys Need as Males, and photos of our outreach.