In 1992, as a step towards improving state services for children, Washington State lawmakers officially established the Family Policy Council, charged with making social programs and policies more responsive to the needs of families. Community Public Policy Health and Safety Networks were established by the Legislature in 1994 - using Family Policy Principles - as a way to give communities a larger role by tackling their own social problems. The Commission on Children and Youth became the local Community Public Health and Safety Network for Kitsap County in August of 2000: The Youth Commission supports activities that increase the capacity for the community to build developmental assets among youth.

The four problem areas that the Youth Commission has targeted include: