Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Proclamation 21-02: Extended Eligibility for Foster Care Services in response to the Federal requirement that states must not exit young people from care beginning in March 2020. The Federal moratorium, which removed the age limits on receiving Extended Foster Care (EFC), expired Sept. 30, 2021. As a result, more than 320 youth were exited from care and stopped receiving any financial support through this program on Oct. 1.
In response, Gov. Inslee has authorized $299,113 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to support the youth who will be transitioning out of EFC. This additional financial support was not included in the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families' (DCYF) budget and is needed to provide one-month transition funding for EFC young people. Our partners at Treehouse will distribute the funding directly to young people.
Staff are communicating with the young people on their caseload who exited care on Sept. 30, 2021, letting them know they can expect to receive payment from Treehouse in early November.
Caseworkers or young people with questions can reach out to Treehouse by emailing pandemicaid@treehouseforkids.org or calling 206-267-5158.