February 23, 2006

Support Foster Youth Achievement Act

Issue: Washington State foster youth who earn a high school diploma or a GED and turn 18 immediately become ineligible for foster care support, including housing and health care. Youth who “age out” of the foster care system are at increased risk for homelessness, unemployment, mental health problems, chemical dependency, early parenting, and incarceration. House Bill 2002 would allow youth to remain in their foster homes until age 21 if they are enrolled in a college or a voc-tech program. This bill would provide an incentive for education to help prevent homelessness for a lifetime.

Background: Approximately 350-400 youth age out of Washington’s foster care system each year. About a third have earned a high school diploma or GED. State caseworkers felt that 70 percent were not prepared for independence. In a Casey Family Program study, six to 12 months after exiting the system one-third of the youth were on some form of public assistance. They suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at nearly twice the rate of war veterans. Almost a quarter experienced homelessness after turning 18.

House Bill 2002, currently working its way through the State Senate, would authorize DSHS to continue foster care and support services to youth from their 18th birthday up to age 21, if needed. This would allow them to participate in or complete a post-high school academic or vocational program and to receive necessary support and transition services. Fifty youth would be eligible for this in 2006, and in 2007 and 2008, 50 additional youth per year would be permitted to remain in foster or group care after reaching the age of 18.

There would be eligibility requirements — such as requiring foster-care youths to maintain a 2.5 grade-point average. The effort would cost about $650,000 initially and about $3.5 million in the third year, when 150 youths would be eligible to remain in foster care. It’s a small price tag for expanding support to young people who were removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.

Youth in the state’s care deserve a chance at the future they dream of. Not many 18 year olds who live with their birth parents are sent out to make it on their own on their 18th birthday. Foster youth who persevere should be supported in their efforts and helped during the crucial transition between childhood and adulthood.

Action: Contact your state senator with the message: Foster youth who persevere and earn a high school diploma/GED deserve the opportunity to retain safe housing and go to college. Please pass HB 2002, the Foster Youth Achievement Act.

To find your senator’s email, visit www.leg.wa.gov, or call the call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.

For more information, contact the Mockingbird Society at www.mockingbirdsociety.org.