Bill to add youth and family members to System of Care Advisory Council gets hearing

During a public hearing, proponents urged the Senate Committee on Human Services to support House Bill 2924, which would expand the System of Care Advisory Council (SOCAC) from 25 to 29 members by adding two youth members and two family-member positions.

Dr. Robin Henderson, identified as the psychologist member of SOCAC, testified on behalf of Executive Director Anna Williams and said the bill “adds 2 youth members and 2 family members to the System of Care Advisory Council,” noting that youth and family members provide important voices and voting privileges and help the council’s subcommittees manage workload.

A youth council member, identified in testimony as Stardust Pine (represented via staff Joylene Babika Carter), described personal experience participating in SOCAC and urged more seats so youth do not feel undue pressure to represent all youth perspectives. “With only 2 seats, we often feel too much pressure to represent all youth. We get burnt out. We need more seats so we can make sure to represent youth of all different experiences and backgrounds,” Stardust said, adding that peer support and staff roles help youth engage and advocate.

SOCAC staff said most of the council’s work happens in subcommittees and that adding youth and family members will expand capacity for that work. The committee recorded no questions for the panel and closed the public hearing without objection.

The hearing record shows supportive testimony from SOCAC members and staff; no opponents registered at the hearing and no committee decision was taken during the public hearing.