Vicki Ybarra — The chair calls on Vicki Ybarra and asks whether she is present, then identifies her as the Assistant Secretary for Partnership, Prevention, and Service at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and invites her to proceed.
Jeff Wilson — Senator Wilson is greeted and then asks DCYF to define the age range for “youth and young adult.” The witness responds by thanking Senator Wilson for the question and begins addressing the definition.
Jeff Wilson — He gives the witness a time check and asks to preserve time for committee questions.
Jeff Wilson — The witness greets Chair Wilson and members of the committee.
Jeff Wilson — The speaker addresses 'Mike' while adjusting the microphone, likely Chair Wilson.
Jeff Wilson — Addressed by the witness and identified as chairing the committee in this exchange.
Jeff Wilson — Jeff Wilson is repeatedly addressed as Chair/Senator Wilson during discussion of the bill, with speakers thanking him for his work on the legislation, noting him as the Senate companion, and referencing his comments about the federal government's position as part of the same ongoing exchange.
Jeff Wilson — The witness addresses Chair Wilson.
Jeff Wilson — Chair/Senator Claire Wilson is identified as the sponsor of Senate Bill 5942 and introduces the bill while noting her roles as Chair of Human Services and co-chair of the DCYF Oversight Board. She is then addressed as the committee chair and later participates in discussion by asking whether the board has produced suggestions for improvements, with another reference noting her earlier observation about the need for a status check on the board’s role.
Vicki Ibarra — Vicki Ibarra introduces herself and explains her role at DCYF.
Leonard Christian — Senator Christian is introduced as having a question, is then recognized by the chair, and proceeds to thank the presenter while raising concerns about the issue being discussed. The follow-up response is directed to him, acknowledging his question and agreeing that the system can be frustrating.
Leonard Christian — Senator Christian asks how this bill differs from a similar bill heard earlier last year.
Leonard Christian — Raised a concern about guardrails and financial education if young people receive the money directly.
Leonard Christian — Raised a question about whether the bill would stop the oversight committee from reviewing contracts.
Leonard Christian — Asks whether board members are compensated.
Judy Warnick — The chair also notes that Senator Warnick has a question.
Judy Warnick — Thanked Casey and raised concern about siloed work in government and education, asking about collaboration with DCYF and other institutions.
Judy Warnick — Senator Judy Warnick is identified as a sponsor of Senate Bill 5911 and is repeatedly praised as an incredible partner and co-worker on the legislation. She then speaks in support of the bill, thanking Senator Alvarado and emphasizing that Washington should allow young people to have their own money and learn fiscal responsibility.
Judy Warnick — Senator Judy Warnick asks staff how passage of SB 5911 would affect eligibility under SB 5940, and the discussion continues with a brief follow-up address to her in the same exchange.
Vicki — Vicki is acknowledged and thanked for her presentation and for taking the time to speak.
Casey Hannawer Sutton — Introduced as the Executive Director of the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs and the next presenter.
Vicki Barrer — Referenced as having just discussed collaboration with state agency partners.
Don Raines — Identified as the CEO of Treehouse and called up remotely to testify.
Treehouse — Treehouse described its coaching and navigation support for young people pursuing post-secondary education or career training after high school, including help with eligibility, applications, and resource navigation. The witness noted that funding cuts reduced the age range served from 26 to 22, that Treehouse is currently coaching 63 post-high school participants, and that young adults still need barrier funding for housing and food. Treehouse also explained the need for a resource navigator to help young adults connect to career, college, and housing supports, highlighted eligibility gaps, county-based disparities, and administrative burdens created by multiple program rules, and then moved into legislative recommendations, including restoring Graduation Success funding and increasing support for educational advocacy.
Jim Walsh — Referenced as having asked earlier about helping young people understand available programs and benefits.
Jim Walsh — Asked what funding was cut and what could be done if it were restored.
SB5963 — Described as a bill that would allow Passport to Careers-eligible students to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington State College Grant.
Dawn Raines — Addressed directly as the Treehouse presenter being asked to wrap up.
SB5940 — Described as a bill to provide housing vouchers to young adults in EFC.
SB5940 — Senate Bill 5940 is introduced and the hearing is opened on the bill, which is described as an extended foster care housing pilot project. The sponsor explains that the bill builds on prior extended foster care work and is intended to address housing instability for youth in extended foster care, including conflicts with access to federal housing vouchers. The bill would create a housing pilot program, ask DCYF to report back to the legislature in 2029 on outcomes, costs, and participant demographics, and provide information to better support young people transitioning to independent living. Committee discussion also raises eligibility questions, including whether benefits from another bill or Social Security income would affect housing eligibility under SB 5940. Testimony in support emphasizes the need for incremental action, requests funding for 50 housing vouchers, and urges passage of the bill as a way to recognize and respond to the unique challenges faced by youth in extended foster care. Public testimony then concludes and the hearing is closed.
Jeff Holy — The chair is trying to keep the meeting on time and move forward with the next presentation.
Jeff Holy — The speaker references Senator Wilson while introducing the Mockingbird Society presenters.
Jeff Holy — The speaker asks that follow-up be done with Senator Christian.
Jeff Holy — The speaker addresses Senator Wilson while managing time and moving the presentation along.
Jeff Holy — The speaker thanks Senator Wilson and the committee members.
Jeff Holy — The speaker addresses Senator Christian in explaining the purpose of peer supports and available resources.
Dawn — Dawn is thanked for joining the committee before the next presentation begins.
Mockingbird Society — Mockingbird Society is introduced as the next presenter and described as an advocacy organization focused on transforming the foster care system and related systems affecting youth experiencing homelessness. The speaker explains that Mockingbird has long served as a platform for young people to bring forward their voices and system-change ideas, including legislation. The presentation then continues by describing the organization’s annual youth summit, where youth advocacy requests are gathered and used to shape Mockingbird Society’s legislative and policy agenda.
Samuel Martin — Samuel Martin introduces himself as the contract lobbyist for the Mockingbird Society.
Charles Smith — Charles Smith identifies himself as Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Mockingbird Society.
Charles Smith — Charles Smith is called to provide in-person testimony and then introduces himself as the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the Mockingbird Society, offering testimony in support of the issue.
Charles Smith — Charles Smith is identified as a member of the first panel of witnesses and then introduces himself as the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the Mockingbird Society as he begins testimony in support of the bill.
SB5908 — The bill aimed to address a housing crisis for young people in extended foster care by providing housing voucher supports.
Miranda Colmjoy — Named as a Washington State Board of Health health policy analyst who will present the health impact review.
Kate Lang Perez — Named as a Washington State Board of Health health policy analyst who will present the health impact review.
Miranda Calumjoy — Introduces herself as a health policy analyst with the Washington State Board of Health; spelling is uncertain.
Kate Lang Peranza — Named as a health policy analyst with the Washington State Board of Health; spelling is uncertain.
Miranda Comjoy — Describes the Board's HIR work and the analysis of Substitute Senate Bill 5082; spelling uncertain.
Kate Lang Paranza — Named as a co-presenter and health policy analyst; spelling uncertain.
SB5082 — Analysts present and then summarize the finalized HIR for Substitute Senate Bill 5082, which would create a housing assistance program for youth in extended foster care. The findings indicate the bill would likely lead DCYF to contract with one or more entities to operate an EFC housing program and could improve housing affordability, stability, health outcomes, and equity for some young adults in extended foster care.