In 2009, The Washington State Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) was established to provide statewide leadership for the coordination and delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. CDHY is an independent agency within the state of Washington. Its governing Board of Trustees and its Executive Director are appointed by the Governor. All activities of the Center are under the authority of the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees.
CDHY’s three (3) primary responsibilities are articulated in RCW 72.40.015 which are:
- To manage and direct the activities of the state school for the deaf (Washington School for the Deaf – WSD);
- Provide statewide leadership and support to coordinate regionally delivered educational services in the full range of communication modalities, for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (direct consultative and evaluation services);
- Expand system capacity at the local and statewide level by collaborating with appropriate public and private partners for the training and professional development of educators serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing (professional development).
CDHY is the agency to which WSD belongs. The CDHY Board of Trustees oversees all programs and operations at WSD. The Superintendent of WSD reports to the CDHY Executive Director and participates at the table for all board meetings. The Superintendent is a member of the Governor’s statewide Deputy Directors council for all state agencies.