Black and Indigenous youth, and other youth of color (BIPOC youth) are overrepresented in foster care, among those experiencing homelessness, and in our juvenile justice system due to historic and current systemic racism. We are committed to eliminating these racial disparities and addressing the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on young people. As always, our legislative agenda is guided and inspired by youth with lived experience.

This proposed legislation seeks to create a state-funded housing voucher program modeled after the federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program, specifically targeting youth in Extended Foster Care (EFC) who are experiencing homelessness. Due to federal restrictions, young adults currently cannot access both EFC and FYI vouchers simultaneously, a limitation known as 'double dipping.' By creating a state-funded alternative, Washington aims to ensure housing stability for young adults who are still state dependents, reducing homelessness among this vulnerable population.

Champion: Senator Claire Wilson

Mockingbird is advocating for the state to allocate $250,000 to the Office of Homeless Youth to use for researching and developing recommendations to improve PSH access for young adults with developmental needs. This will involve funding, programming enhancements, and awareness campaigns.

Champion: TBD

Central Chapter Topic

Washington’s K-12 youth currently receive limited education on certain types of abuse, specifically omitting physical, psychological, and financial abuse in health education standards. As youth increasingly face complex social and familial dynamics, education in these areas could enhance their ability to recognize and respond to harmful situations. The Mockingbird Society's Central Chapter is working closely with The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to propose revisions to the existing health education learning standards. The updated standards would be focused on: Physical Abuse, Psychological/Mental Abuse, and Financial Abuse. This update addresses critical gaps in the current standards, preparing students with holistic awareness around all forms of abuse, potentially reducing risk and promoting safer, healthier communities.

Eastern Chapter Topic

The objective of this administrative work is to address vague and misleading language on SNAP Benefit eligibility on Washington State application platforms by creating a step-by-step guide with simplified language on all eligibility requirements, state and federal. Currently, young people between the ages of 18 and 22 living with a guardian are unable to qualify for SNAP benefits if the guardian is already receiving benefits, clarified in the federal definition of a “household.” However, state application sites omit this definition and circumstance, leading to confusion during the application process. By creating a simplified guide for the state application portal, we can ensure that all eligibility criteria, state or federal, are visible and consistent with all regulations for this program in Washington State.

King County Chapter Topic

Youth in foster care often face significant challenges with stability, connection, and guidance during their time within the child welfare system. Lack of supportive, relatable mentorship can exacerbate these issues, impacting their ability to navigate the system as well as their overall educational, social, and emotional outcomes. To address this challenge, the King County Chapter is advocating for $250,000 to be allocated to the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) to initiate a co-design process, collaborating with foster youth and community stakeholders to develop a peer mentorship program tailored to the unique needs of youth in foster care. This will ensure the program is grounded in lived experiences and directly addresses the barriers foster youth face.

Northern Chapter Topic

The Mockingbird Society's Northern Chapter has identified significant transportation gaps in Northwest Washington, creating challenges for community members in accessing essential services and resources. Limited transportation options impact youth, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, who face difficulties in reaching critical resources like healthcare, education, job opportunities, and social services. The Mockingbird Society Northern Chapter will collaborate with local government agencies, transit authorities, and private organizations to identify and implement innovative transportation solutions. This may include rideshare partnerships, community shuttle services, and subsidized transit passes.

These policy wins are the culmination  of young peoples' advocacy efforts. These are THEIR wins, and we celebrate these achievements with them.

This support agenda item was carried to the finish line by Northstar Advocates and The Bridge Coalition. The Bridge will create two 6-10 bed community-based housing programs that young people can stay in for 1-90 days as they identify long-term housing. Behavioral health services, consultation, and technical assistance will be provided.