Children’s Justice Conference
As the largest child welfare related conference in the Pacific Northwest, the Children’s Justice Conference (CJC) provides professionals from multiple disciplines a unique opportunity to receive core and advanced training and skill development in the identification, investigation, and treatment of child maltreatment.
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About Children’s Justice Task Force (CJTF)
Washington State’s Children’s Justice Task Force (CJTF) was created in October 1987, pursuant to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The mission of the interdisciplinary task force is to provide recommendations to Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) in the development, establishment, and operation of programs that promote safety and protection of children by improving:
- Legislative, administrative, and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases, (particularly sexual abuse and exploitation), in a manner which limits additional trauma to the child victim.
- Handling of child fatality cases in which child abuse or neglect is suspected.
- Handling of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect.
Task Force Members/Advisors
2026 CJTF Members:
- Bailey Zydek, Child Attorney
- Brett Ballew, Parent Attorney
- Bryce Nelson, Prosecutor
- Charissa Warner, Child Welfare
- Darcy Johnson, Child Disability Advocate
- Emily Stochel, Former Foster Child
- Eric Richey, Prosecutor
- Jeffrey Bassett, Supervisor Court Judge
- Joy McClendon, Special Education
- Kathy Ormsby, Health Representative
- Krystal Ruiz, Court Appointed Special Advocate
- Larraine Lynch, Mental Health Representative
- Lorraine Parlange, Tribal Attorney
- Paula Reed-Child Advocacy Center
- Rich Hart, Law Enforcement
- Ricki Peone, Indian Child Welfare Act Specialist
- Ryan Murrey, Child Victim Advocate
- Judge Sonia Rodriguez True – Superior Court Judge
- Tonia McClahan-Parent Advocate
2026 CJTF Advisors:
- Maddie Ebel, Assistant General Attorney (AAG) Representative to DCYF
Task Force Achievements
Task Force Achievements and Future Initiatives
The Children’s Justice Task Force (CJTF) is dedicated to improving the safety and protection of children in Washington State by focusing on enhancing the investigation, prosecution, and judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases while reducing additional trauma to children.
Key Achievements of the Children’s Justice Task Force
Since its inception, the CJTF has been instrumental in sponsoring the Annual Children’s Justice Conference (CJC), the largest child welfare conference in the Pacific Northwest. Our work has resulted in significant system improvements, including developing statewide protocols for responding to Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST), funding critical advocacy and support projects for homeless youth and implementing specialized First Responders’ Training for serious child abuse and fatality cases. The Task Force also provides outreach and technical assistance to Tribal jurisdictions and continually seeks to reduce additional trauma for child victims.
Upcoming Funding Opportunity
The Children’s Justice Task Force is pleased to announce that we will soon be soliciting proposals for additional projects to further our mission. Please watch your email for more information on this exciting opportunity. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be included please email us at amy.bustamante@dcyf.wa.gov
Lee Ann Miller Award
Lee Ann Miller was the lead counsel for Children’s Administration at the time of her death from cancer at age 47 in early 1998. She was a recognized expert in juvenile law and the field of child advocacy. In 1979, she joined the Attorney General’s Office and shortly became lead counsel to Administration for Children, Youth and Family, the predecessor of the Children’s Administration. She was known not only for her professionalism and compassion, but also for her sense of humor and captivating presence.
In her memory, the Lee Ann Miller Award is presented to the individual and the group or program that has made the greatest impact and/or contribution in furthering the goals of the Children’s Justice Act.
Individual Awards
2024 Laurie Lippold
2023 Michael Heard
2022 No award due to Covid
2021 No award due to Covid
2020 Dr. Rebecca Wiester
2019 Lisa Johnson
2018 Mary F. Li
2017 Richard Stapp
2016 Commissioner Thurman W. Lowans
2015 Mary Meinig
2014 Louise Gustafson
2013 Cheryl Wolfe
2012 Dr. Naomi Sugar
2011 Maria Vera
2010 Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Director, Court Improvement Training Academy
2009 Steve Hassett – Senior Counsel, Olympia, WA
2008 Dr. Alan Hendrickson
2007 Rep. Ruth Kagi
2006 Jim Theofelis – Executive Director, Mockingbird Society
2005 Mary Ann Murphy. Exec. Dir. – Partners w/Families & Children
2004 Joanne Moore, Director – Office of Public Defense, Olympia, WA
2003 Ken Feldman, MD – Children’s Hospital
2002 Lucy Berliner, Director – Harborview Center for SW
2001 Jon and Judge Bobbe Bridge
2000 Judge Jim Doerty
Group Awards
2023 Strength in Families
2022 No award due to Covid
2021 No award due to Covid
2020 Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition
2019 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Special Victim Prosecution Team
2018 Pierce County Safe Babies Court Team
2017 Brigid Collins Family Support Center
2016 Incarcerated Parents Project and Incarcerated Mothers Advocacy Project
2015 Spokane County Parent4Parents Project
2014 UW, Court Improvement Training Academy
2013 The Washington State Parent Advocacy Network – Seattle, WA
2012 Bikers Against Child Abuse
2011 Spokane Drug Endangered Children Team
2010 Spokane Police Department, Sexual Exploitation Units
2009 Camas Path Behavioral Health and Social Services
2008 Team Child
2007 Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
2006 Washington State Association of Child Advocacy Centers
2005 Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery – Kennewick, WA
2004 Child Abuse Intervention Center – Vancouver, WA
2003 CASA/GAL Program – Seattle, WA
2002 Benton County Commissioners – Leo Bowman & Claude Oliver
2001 King County Kids Court
2000 Treehouse