Home Visiting Advisory Committee considers membership reform and adding family‑lived‑experience voices

Members of Washington’s Home Visiting Advisory Committee discussed updating membership processes, adding family‑lived‑experience representation and improving transparency at the July meeting.

Meeting facilitators and co‑chairs said turnover and retirements left several committee seats vacant or inactive, and planning committee members presented options for recruiting replacements, defining terms and clarifying attendance expectations. Gretchen (co‑chair) and Marilyn (chair) said building clearer policies would help the committee maintain continuity as representatives change jobs.

Committee members favored a mix of recruitment approaches. Several members said a personal invitation works best for recruiting busy community leaders. “When someone actually contacted me and talked about it… I felt the importance of adding in, you know, not that I'm amazing, or anything, just… that there was a need for more voices around tribal issues,” said one member (Gretchen). Several others echoed the view that a targeted invitation helps attract the specific expertise HVAC needs.

Members discussed specific categories that are underrepresented, including tribal representatives, higher‑education faculty, additional male perspectives, and program staff from LIAs who receive HVSA funds. Liv (Start Early) and others urged a reliable mechanism to capture program voices, such as regular surveys and focus groups, rather than relying only on individual representatives.

Committee members also discussed including parents, caregivers or other family leaders. Participants said recruitment for lived‑experience representatives should include extra outreach, clear expectations, flexible meeting times and supports such as compensation or back‑up child care where policy permits. Ashley (public attendee) recommended connecting with established parent‑leadership programs and offering training so family members can participate confidently.

The planning committee proposed term limits (for example, staggered two‑ or three‑year terms with the possibility of one renewal) and asked members to consider whether agencies should be able to designate alternates to keep representation consistent when primary members cannot attend. Members supported making recruitment procedures and expectations publicly available on the HVAC webpage, and suggested that positions funded by HVSA be nominated through the LIA network or supervisor convenings when appropriate.

Ending: The committee agreed to refine a draft roster, add missing categories of representation and return to the topic at the next official meeting in October. Staff said they would circulate the updated membership list and recommended recruitment language for review.