43105. Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program

Applies to: This policy applies to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) employees.

Policy Number & Title: 43105. Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program

Effective Date: June 9, 2025

Purpose

The Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program is a voluntary program for eligible youth 18 through 20 years old to receive support while they continue to develop their life skills. The purpose of the program is to provide tools, services, support, resources, and connections to successfully launch youth into adulthood and to prevent youth from experiencing homelessness.

Authority

PL 110-351 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act 2008

RCW 13.34.267 Extended foster care services-Maintenance of dependency proceeding-Placement, care of youth-Appointment of counsel-Case plan

RCW 13.34.268 Extended foster care services-Voluntary placement agreement- Decline-Petition for dependency

RCW 74.13.020 Definitions

RCW 74.13.031 Duties of department-Child welfare services-children's services advisory committee

RCW 74.13.336 Extended foster care services

RCW 74.15.020 Definitions

Chapter 110-90 WAC Extended Foster Care Program

Policy

Caseworkers must:

Follow these policies when working with youth interested or participating in the EFC program:
1. DCYF Administrative policies:
  1. 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) when working with youth who are LEP.
  2. 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities when working with all youth.
2. Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Reason to Know if there is reason to know they are or may be an Indian child, including following these ICW policies:
  1. ICW Dependency Cases
  2. ICW Active Efforts and Tribal Collaboration
Complete the following for youth:
1. Fifteen years old discuss the EFC Program with them.
2. Seventeen to 18 years old:
  1. Conduct a Multidisciplinary Meeting outlined in Transitioning Youth for Successful Adulthood policy.
  2. Allow those interested in the EFC Program and who will meet eligibility in WAC 110-90-0040 to sign the Extended Foster Care Program Participation Agreement DCYF 10-432 form starting at 17.5 years old.
3. Eighteen through 20 years old:
  1. Follow WAC 110-90-0040 to verify they meet EFC Program eligibility requirements when they request to participate in the EFC Program.
  2. Case plan in a developmentally appropriate manner that includes:
    1. Information outlined in RCW 13.34.267.
    2. Following the Transitioning Youth for Successful Adulthood policy to review and update their Transition Plan for Youth Exiting Care DCYF 15-417 form with them until they exit EFC.
  3. Provide support, services, and case management as outlined in WAC 110-90-0060 when they begin participating in the EFC Program.
  4. Placed in a supervised independent living placement, provide the first payment to them within 30 calendar days of signing the Extended Foster Care Voluntary Placement Agreement (VPA) DCYF 15-431 form.
  5. Do not meet eligibility requirements in WAC 110-90-0040:
    1. Staff the case with the EFC regional lead prior to a decision to deny their enrollment to EFC Program.
    2. Send them the EFC Denial Letter DCYF 06-0165 form within 10 calendar days of the decision to include the information outlined in RCW 74.13.336.
  6. Request a court dismissal of the dependency when they:
    1. Are eligible but choose not to participate in the program on their 18th birthday.
    2. Withdraw their agreement to participate in the program.
    3. Turn 21 years old.
The Child Welfare employees must not create any additional eligibility requirements for the Extended Foster Care Program.
Financial and Business Services Division (FBSD) IV-E specialists must determine and document the funding source for each eligible EFC youth.