FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1867

C 265 L 17

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Improving transitions in extended foster care to increase housing stability for foster youth.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Fey, Stambaugh, Senn, Kagi, Kilduff, Appleton, Graves, Hudgins, Orwall, Ryu, Sells, Stanford, Robinson, McDonald, Ortiz-Self, Doglio, Slatter, Tharinger and Ormsby).

House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

Extended Foster Care Program.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) operates the extended foster care program which allows individuals who are dependent in foster care at age 18 to receive services if that youth is:

• enrolled in a secondary education program or equivalent program;

• enrolled and participating in a postsecondary academic or postsecondary vocational program, or has applied for and can demonstrate an intention to timely enroll in a postsecondary academic or vocational program;

• participating in a program or activity designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment;

• engaged in employment for 80 or more hours per month; or

• not able to engage in the above activities due to a documented medical condition.

For eligible youth that choose to participate in the extended foster care program on his or her eighteenth birthday, the dependency court action will continue. Eligible youth may choose to participate in the extended foster care after his or her eighteenth birthday and until the youth turns 19 years old through a voluntary placement agreement with the DSHS.

The services that youth may receive through the extended foster care program include:

• foster care placement or supervised independent living setting placement;

• medical (including mental health);

• dental;

• independent living skills;

• case management through the DSHS; and

• referrals to community resources.

In October 2016 there were 569 youth receiving extended foster care services.

Summary:

The DSHS must allow youth who have received extended foster care services to reenter the program once through a voluntary placement agreement when he or she meets the criteria again. Individuals who are eligible for extended foster care services may unenroll and reenroll in extended foster care once between ages 18 and 21.

The Washington Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) must conduct a study measuring the outcomes for youth who have received extended foster care services.  The study must include: (1) measurements of any savings; (2) an outcome comparison for youth who have received extended foster care and those who aged out of foster care; and (3) a comparison of other state extended foster care programs.  The WSIPP must issue a report containing its preliminary findings to the Legislature by December 1, 2018, and a final report by December 1, 2019.

Votes on Final Passage: