Expanding the early childhood court program.

HB 1659 expands Washington's early childhood court program to serve infants and toddlers under age six (previously under three) in dependency cases, while allowing courts to use funding for preventative services to support families at risk of entering the child welfare system. Key provisions require courts to establish community coordinators with diversity expertise, create family-centered team meetings, implement more frequent status hearings, and prioritize culturally responsive practices to address systemic racism in child welfare. The bill directly affects families with young children in dependency cases, courts establishing these programs, and child welfare agencies like DCYF, mandating data collection on racial equity and community collaboration. It emphasizes preventing unnecessary child welfare involvement through upstream support and ensures families are central to case planning and reunification efforts.