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ASK-Y: Advocates for System Kids and Youth

The ASK-Y Coalition is an advocacy group sponsored by the Mockingbird Society that brings together service providers, foster parents, youth and community members to advocate for children and youth across multiple systems including the juvenile justice, mental health, chemical dependency, foster/kinship care, and youth homelessness systems. Through collaboration and community action, the ASK-Y coalition introduces and supports public policy that prioritizes the safety of children and adolescents in the state system, as well as legislation and programs that provide youth with a "way out" of institutional dependency, poverty and violence.

Because of the diligent advocacy of ASK-Y and the MBS Executive Director during the 2004 legislative session Representative Mary Lou Dickerson and Senator James Hargrove facilitated the passage of House Bill 3078 of which Governor Locke signed into law on March 22nd. HB 3078 retains community protections while reducing the time period rehabilitated youth must wait to have their juvenile justice record sealed. According to estimates from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorney's HB 3078 has the potential to have a positive impact on as many as 10,000 youth a year. On February 6, 2004 ASK-Y sponsored Youth Advocacy Day in which over 100 youth and adult advocates from across Washington converged on Olympia to advocate the passage of HB 3078. Consistent with all Mockingbird sponsored programs youth who are homeless and/or system involved functioned as leaders, organizers and diplomats in this amazing achievement. Five legislators including House Speaker Frank Chopp met with the ASK-Y contingency culminating in Speaker Chopp assuring the group of his support for HB-3078. This was a very powerful and successful day resulting in participating youth experiencing a sense of empowerment and positive power.