The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created in 2017 as a cabinet-level agency focused on the well-being of children, restructuring how the state serves at-risk children and youth, with the goal of producing better outcomes in all Washington communities. DCYF's vision is to ensure that Washington State’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community.
Shared Planning Meetings. Shared planning meetings are conducted by DCYF to engage parents, children and youth, caregivers, relatives, fictive kin, natural supports, and others, as appropriate, in the development of a plan that prioritizes child safety and meets the support and service needs of the parents, children and youth, and caregivers. These meetings provide an opportunity for information to be shared, case plans to be developed and decisions made that will support the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. A shared planning meeting to develop a transition plan is to be held when a dependent youth is between the ages of 17 and 17 years and 6 months, as the youth transitions into adulthood.
DCYF is to develop a program to provide eligible youth the ability to establish a private, self-controlled account with a financial institution prior to exiting dependency. An eligible youth means a dependent youth ages 14 and up, including youth in extended foster care. The youth may open the account with any supportive adult, including but not limited to independent living service providers, caregivers, caseworkers, kinship and other family members, attorneys, and supportive adults in the community which may include mentors, teachers, and coaches.
At a youth's shared planning meeting that is used to develop a transition plan, DCYF is to ensure a youth has established a bank account and if not, information regarding opening a bank account must be included in the youth's transition plan.
DCYF is to deposit a minimum of $25 per month into this bank account and make the first deposit within two weeks of the youth's opening of an account. This program is to be fully operational by January 1, 2024. An eligible youth may opt out of receiving deposits from DCYF. DCYF is to inform eligible youth about the impact that deposits could have on public benefit eligibility and create an online platform to allow youth to establish their financial accounts.
The program is to be established across the state, phased as follows:
DCYF is to conduct an annual electronic survey of 15 percent of eligible youth as a method of program evaluation.
DCYF is to convene a temporary advisory committee to develop the implementation plan for this program, collect and report data, expand and build partnerships with financial institutions and service providers, review communications and marketing materials, and conduct other relevant duties. DCYF shall consult the committee regarding the financial education program to ensure statewide access to a high quality, developmentally, and culturally appropriate program for dependent youth ages 12 and up. DCYF is encouraged to use existing resources readily available, including those provided by the Department of Financial Institutions, and other agencies and programs. The committee is to develop a survey for eligible youth to help determine program effectiveness, including whether the eligible youth has established a self-controlled account. Members of the temporary advisory committee are to include, but not be limited to:
By November 1, 2024, DCYF is to submit a report on the work of the committee as well as the status of program implementation to the appropriate committees of the Legislature and the Governor. By December 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, DCYF is to submit a report summarizing the results of the annual survey.
PRO: This bill was brought to the Legislature before and people wanted more research. This follow-up work was done by stakeholders, including youth. Kids in foster care don't often have the same opportunities to learn about finances and there is a need for all young people to know how to navigate their finances and grow generational wealth. Youth have the option to opt-out and are advised if these funds could impact their eligibility for public assistance. Credit unions are happy to participate and support youth.
OTHER: The best method to teach kids is to lead by example, not sure the government is the best example. This could create dependency on the system and unhealthy habits like substance use.