HB 1961-S - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Declares an intent to: (1) Clarify existing authority for foster care services beyond age eighteen and to establish authority for future expansion of housing and other supports for youth aging out of foster care and youth who achieved permanency in later adolescence; and

(2) Make subsidized relative guardianships, as permitted under federal law, available to Washington families through amending the state's dependency guardianship statute and through certain implementation directives for a relative guardianship program.

Authorizes a youth who remains eligible for placement services or benefits pursuant to department of social and health services' rules to continue to receive placement services and benefits until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday.

Authorizes the department of social and health services to provide adoption support benefits, or subsidized relative guardianship benefits on behalf of youth ages eighteen to twenty-one years who achieved permanency through adoption or a subsidized relative guardianship at age sixteen or older.

Directs the department of social and health services to conduct routine and cost-efficient outreach regarding the relative guardianship program through the kinship care oversight committee, the area administrations on aging, and appropriate community partners.