Kim Justice named Director of state Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection
2015 Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Act established new office to enhance statewide focus on data, strategies and coordination of efforts to meet needs of homeless youth
Kim Justice has been named director of the newly established Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs at the Department of Commerce. Justice’s first day with the Department will be November 1.
“The Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs will bring a new strategic focus to our state’s efforts to end homelessness for youth and young adults,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Kim will lead our efforts to make sure we’re providing our homeless youth the support they need to be safe and healthy and to also open up opportunities for them to forge a successful path for themselves through work and education.”
Since 2012, Justice has served on the Executive Team of the board of The Mockingbird Society, a nationally recognized youth advocacy organization, and currently is the Senior Budget Analyst for the Washington State Budget and Policy Center. Prior to working at the Budget and Policy Center, she worked as a policy advisor in the Washington State House of Representatives, and as a community organizer and lobbyist with the Statewide Poverty Action Network.
The Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs was created by the 2015 Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Act. Governor Inslee requested the legislation and First Lady Trudi Inslee was a leading advocate for the bill. Sponsored by Senator Steve O’Ban and Representative Ruth Kagi, the Act cross-links statewide housing and homeless program resources already at Commerce.