Resolution in support of codifying into law and fully funding high quality care and best practices for the youth in the Washington State Foster Care System.

Whereas: There are approximately 8,000 children living in out-of-home care in Washington state. (citation 1)

Whereas: Children and Youth in foster care, both in Washington and nationwide, tend to have poorer outcomes than other children and youth, including: one-third of children or youth in foster care in Washington State who age out of foster care become homeless within three years; researchers have found that between 31% and 46% of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness by age 26. A study conducted in Washington State found that approximately one quarter of youth that exited foster care at age 17 or older became homeless within 12 months of exit. (citation 2)

Whereas: Young adults in Foster Care in Washington State graduate from high school at a rate of 53%, compared to 82% of the general student population. (citation 3)Studies have found that just 3-4% of former foster youth obtain a four-year college degree and between 2 and 6% receive a two-year degree. (citation 4)

Whereas: Nationwide, about 80% of youth in foster care receive a psychiatric or mental health diagnosis compared to the fact that only 20% of non-foster children have mental health issues within the general population. (citation 5)

Washington State statistics show that nearly one in four young adults will be arrested within one year of aging out of foster care. (citation 6) 

Whereas: The National Foster Youth Institute reported that 7 out of 10 girls who age out of foster care become pregnant by 21 years old. What is clear is that young women in foster care, and those who have aged out, are at a much greater risk of teen pregnancy than those with stable family life. This rate is 2.75 times higher than the general population. (citation 7)

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Democratic Convention endorses and urges the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to implement, and our legislators to pass legislation to codify law and fully fund high quality care and best practices for foster youth until age 26. 

Works Cited:

1. Reeve-Parker, Nicole. “This Foster Care Awareness Month, Support Families in Washington’s Foster System.” UW Combined Fund Drive, 1 May 2023, hr.uw.edu/cfd/2023/05/01/fostering/
2. McDonald, Sharon. “Preventing Homelessness for Youth and Young Families in Foster Care: FY2021 Updates.” National Alliance to End Homelessness, 28 Jan. 2021, endhomelessness.org/blog/preventing-homelessness-for-youth-and-young-families-in-foster-care-fy2021-
3. “Department of Children, Youth & Families.” DCYF, www.dcyf.wa.gov/node/3302.https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/node/3302
4. S, Alfian. “Higher Education for Foster Youth | the National Foster Youth Institute.” NFYI, 27 May 2021, nfyi.org/issues/higher-education/.        

1. “Facts about Mental Health in Foster Care | FosterVA.” Www.fosterva.org, www.fosterva.org/blog/facts-about-mental-health-in-foster-care#:~:text=Understanding%20Mental%20health%20in%20children.
2. “Treehouse - Foster Care Facts.” Treehouse, 2023, www.treehouseforkids.org/foster-care-facts/.
3. “Foster Children Pregnancy Statistics | FosterVA.” Www.fosterva.org, 2022, www.fosterva.org/blog/what-percentage-of-girls-in-foster-care-are-pregnant-by-21#:~:text=The%20National%20Foster%20Youth%20Institute.