Stand up for youth in foster care before time runs out!

Washington state is facing a pivotal moment for its youth in foster care, as proposed budget cuts threaten crucial educational support programs. These services are vital for helping these resilient young individuals navigate significant educational barriers, including the setbacks caused by frequent school changes. In the last school year, over 1,400 youth across 175 school districts received personalized academic support, with an additional 1,100 K-12 students benefiting from programs aimed at addressing barriers to their education. The article underscores the importance of sustained funding for these initiatives to prevent a decline in graduation rates and future opportunities for foster youth. Advocates are called to action, encouraged to utilize Treehouse’s advocacy tool to communicate with legislators and advocate for the preservation of educational support funding.

The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the impending end of the legislative session on April 27. By uniting their voices, community members can effectively influence lawmakers to prioritize the needs of foster youth. These young individuals, driven and full of potential, deserve champions who will fight for their educational success.