03.20.2026

2026 Legislative Session Outcomes

The Washington State legislative session began on January 12, 2026, and wrapped up on March 12, 2026. It was a tough 60-day session focused on addressing continued state budget challenges.  

Treehouse’s main priority was to restore Graduation Success program funding that was eliminated in April 2025. We were grateful that OSPI, DCYF, and Governor Ferguson supported our efforts, reflecting a meaningful step after last year’s deep cuts and putting us in a strong position as the 2026 session began.  

Here are the highlights of our legislative priorities and other impacts to youth and young adults who have experienced foster care.  

Treehouse’s 2026 Legislative Lead Priority 

Restoring $3.5M for Treehouse’s Graduation Success Program 

We are pleased to share that the Legislature restored $3.5 million in state funding for Graduation Success, half of the $7 million cut last July! This will allow us to stabilize services and continue providing critical educational coaching and support for high school students in foster care in key communities across Washington—as well as to restore service to approximately 120 students. We are grateful to Senator Claire Wilson and Representative Alicia Rule for championing our ask! 

However, it is important to note that this funding is only  for one year, through the 2026–2027 supplemental budget. That means we will need to work with the Legislature again next session to extend that funding into the 2027-2029 biennium. And  only half of our state funding for Graduation Success was restored—there are more young people who need Treehouse’s support. That means we will need to sustain and grow our fundraising efforts, as 80% of our budget relies on the contributions of our community.  

Many of you played a significant role in making this possible—meeting with legislators, participating in Treehouse’s inaugural Advocacy Day, signing letters, speaking up at town halls, and helping share the story of why our young people and this program matters. Your engagement helped ensure that our students remained visible during a difficult budget year, and we’re deeply grateful. 

We hope to build upon this impressive collective action for the next session! Don’t miss any updates or messages from our advocacy team about the upcoming session—sign up for the Advocacy Action Center.  

Treehouse’s 2026 Legislative Support Priorities

State Housing Vouchers for Young People in Extended Foster Care (SB 5940/HB 2455) 

Lead Organization: The Mockingbird Society 

Status: Did Not Pass 

We are disappointed that the housing voucher pilot was not funded this year. The program would have stabilized housing for 50 young adults in Extended Foster Care who are currently experiencing homelessness. Read more about The Mockingbird Society’s reflections and next steps in this blog post from Policy and Advocacy Director Charles Smith. We look forward to supporting this important effort next year. 

Financial Aid Access (SB 5963) 

Lead Organization: Washington Student Achievement Council 

Status: Passed 

The Legislature passed SB 5963 to streamline the financial aid application process for students who have experienced foster care! Under the new law, students who are eligible for the Passport to Careers program will automatically qualify to receive the Washington College Grant award. Importantly, students will be promised this financial aid as early as age 13 so they can begin their postsecondary planning. 

Other Legislative Wins for Youth in Foster Care

While many needed bills and funding requests did not move forward this year, we want to celebrate areas of incremental progress: 

• Funding for the Homeless Student Stability Education Program (HSSeP) and 9th Grade Success Initiative were renewed for the 2027 supplemental budget year. 

• The Legislature passed SB 5911 to begin addressing the harmful practice of withholding social security benefits from young people in foster care. 

• A long-standing issue to address isolation and restraint practices in public schools gained ground! HB 1795 prohibits the use of mechanical or chemical restraint on students as well as any restraint that restricts breathing or blood flow to the brain, ensures no new isolation rooms can be built, and continues OSPI’s work to support schools districts’ adoption of safer practices for students. 

To learn more about the final 2026 supplemental budget, check out this education analysis from League of Education Voters and this child welfare analysis from Partners For Our Children. 

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