Stephani on leaving Children's Administration

Caught up with Cheryl Stephani, the out-going head of the Children’s Administration, over in the O'Brien Building, where she was discussing adoption support services with House members.

"I've had a wonderful opportunity to work with incredible people," Cheryl Stephani said of her departure. "And we’ve done good things in Children’s Administration. But these jobs have an arc, and look at what I want to do, I decided to take a break."

No immediate plans for the future, she said, although she will return to public service in the future.

Her replacement, Stephani added, will be up to DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams. She didn't volunteer any names. And when I asked her about the budget deficit forcing a roll-back of the progress the state has made in caring for children, she said people would stick to the mission, to protect the vulnerable.

Rep. Ruth Kagi, chairwoman of the House children’s services committee, was disappointed to see Stephani go.

"Cheryl has been a dedicated, strong voice for children, and I appreciate her work," Kagi said. "I have no idea who will be in that position, but I think in crisis there is an opportunity to do things differently. … We’ve done a tremendous amount and I hope we will be able to prevent losing it."