Just-in-Time Funding Guidelines

Treehouse can pay for the following K-12 school fees:

• ASB/student ID cards, yearbooks, gym uniforms, spirit wear, class fees, technology fees, library fines, school parking passes, academic testing fees, school dance tickets, school photos, transcript fees, and field trips.

Important Notes:

• Provide log-in details for the student’s school portal to expedite payments. Check payments can also be requested, as well as reimbursement.
• Confirm with the school or Foster Care Liaison whether fees/fines can be waived. Most public school fees/fines can be waived for students currently in foster care or eligible for free & reduced lunch.
• Treehouse does not pay for laptops, tablets, or computers.

Treehouse can pay up to $500 for the following post-secondary fees:

• College application fees, acceptance fees, parking passes, college dorm/housing fees, technology fees, costs associated with running start, testing/exam fees, transcript fees, orientation, student ID cards.
• Also includes fees associated with apprenticeships and vocational programs.

Important Notes:

• Treehouse does not pay for college tuition, college classes that accept FAFSA, or fees that are normally covered by financial aid.

Treehouse can pay up to $300 for the following K-12 educational materials:

• Class supplies, learning tools, sensory items, graphing calculators, planners, books (not provided by the school), and assistive technology.

For students attending post-secondary/college, Treehouse can pay up to $500 for the following educational materials:

• Textbooks, course supplies, technology accessories (does not include laptops or tablets), planners, study tools.

Important Notes:

• Basic school supplies, such as backpacks, binders, pencils, pens, and paper, can be obtained through the Treehouse Store. Please submit a request form or contact the Treehouse Store at store@treehouseforkids.org or 206.267.5185 before submitting a request. If the Store does not have the school supplies available, then Just-in-Time Funding may be requested.

Treehouse can pay up to $200 per special occasion for attire, such as:

• Formal attire/clothing for legal proceedings, school dances, prom, graduation, or milestone birthdays. This includes shoes and accessories.

Important Notes:

• Formal hair styling is considered hair care.
• Dropship ordering is available from select retailers. Please provide direct links to specific items with size and color preferences. Gift cards are only available if no alternative can be identified.
• Treehouse does not pay for nails, makeup, food/dinner, transportation, flowers/corsages/boutonnieres, or photos.

Treehouse can pay for credit recovery and GED testing.

Important Notes:

• Assess all other credit recovery resources and scholarships provided by the school before requesting.
• GED preparation courses, without testing, are considered tutoring.
• Treehouse does not pay for college tuition or college classes that accept FAFSA.

Treehouse can pay up to $1000 for academic tutoring when it has been determined to be the best support for a student. For more information about accessing free, unlimited online tutoring, please contact Just-in-Time Funding.

Important Notes:

• If requesting an independent private tutor, they must pass a background check before Treehouse can provide payment. Background checks are completed online through Sterling Volunteers and the fee is covered by Treehouse. A W-9 Form is required when payment is made by check. Email justintimefunding@treehouseforkids.org for more information.

Treehouse can pay up to $600 for the following graduation related costs:

• Graduation packages/cap and gown: Can include invitations, senior clothing, tassels, diploma frames, and more. For online payments, please provide log in credentials, name of high school, and specifics (height, weight, gender) within the request details.
• Senior events like senior/grad night. Treehouse does not pay for individual or private graduation parties.
• Graduation ceremony tickets.
• Senior photos for students graduating from high school. If the graduating senior is under the age of 18, the photographer must pass a background check before Treehouse can provide payment. Background checks are completed online through Sterling Volunteers and the fee is covered by Treehouse. A W-9 Form is required when payment is made by check. Email justintimefunding@treehouseforkids.org for more information.

Treehouse can pay up to $400 for the following career/work-related items:

• Tools, supplies, equipment, shoes, uniforms, certifications, licensing, or application fees.

Important Notes:

• Please provide direct links to specific items with size and color preferences. Gift cards are only available if no alternative can be identified.
• Treehouse does not pay for laptops, tablets, or computers.

Treehouse can pay up to $500 for the following hair care services and supplies.

• Eligible services include, but are not limited to haircuts, shampoo and conditioning treatments, braids, twists, locs, straightening, extensions, and formal hair styling for school dances and other special occasions.
• Hair supplies: Eligible items include the supplies required for the hair service, such as hair extensions, wigs, shears, clippers, and trimmers.

Important Notes:

• Please provide direct links to specific items in the request details along with a shipping address. Treehouse no longer covers the cost of home haircare products, including shampoo, conditioner, styling products, hair tools, or hair dye. Gift cards are no longer available.
• If the hair vendor is an individual providing services to a youth under the age of 18, they must pass a background check before Treehouse can provide payment. Background checks are completed online through Sterling Volunteers and the fee is covered by Treehouse. Email justintimefunding@treehouseforkids.org for more information.
• Ensure that the hair salon/stylist accepts business checks or a third-party credit card payment online or over the phone. If not, reimbursement is preferred. A W-9 Form is required when payment is made by check.
• For youth with cultural identity related needs for additional hair styling, funds may also be requested from the Identity Affirming category below.

Treehouse can pay up to $500 for the following identity affirming items:

• Culturally significant clothing and accessories such as tribal regalia, traditional dress, ceremonial garments, head coverings, prayer mats, and other items that reflect a person’s heritage, community or cultural traditions.
• Gender affirming clothing such as binders, compression tops, tucking underwear, packers, and other garments designed to support gender expression.

Important Notes:

• Please check with the Treehouse Store to see if they have specific items before submitting clothing requests. Youth and/or care teams may be asked to submit a clothing request through the Store.
• Please provide direct links to specific items with size and color preferences. Gift cards may be requested for identity items. Must include details on what the gift card will be used for.
• Treehouse can pay an individual or business to make ceremonial attire. If payment is by check, a W-9 form is required. Email justintimefunding@treehouseforkids.org for more information.
• Treehouse does not pay admission fees to cultural events.

Treehouse can pay for youth public transportation including bus passes, light rail passes, ORCA cards, and ORCA card refills. Maximum $150 per request for bus pass refills.

Important Notes:

• Before requesting a bus pass, please confirm if the participant qualifies for free or reduced passes through their school or other community programs.
• Youth under 18 can ride public transportation for free in Washington State.
• We do not pay for gas, rideshares, taxis, or airfare.

Treehouse can pay for the following youth identification documents:

• State IDs, enhanced IDs, passports, birth certificates, and other vital records.

Important Notes:

• Reimbursements are preferred when possible.
• Learners permits and licenses should be requested through Driver’s Assistance if eligible.
• $5 State ID’s may be available through DCYF social worker. Ensure payment amount is correct to avoid voiding and reissuing checks to DOL (https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/fees.html).

Treehouse can pay for the following driving-related costs:

• Driver’s ed, missed drive fees, testing fees (including re-takes), practice drives, learners permit and license (reimbursement preferred for DOL related fees)

Important Notes:

• Driving-related costs are not counted toward the $1500 program year limit.
• All driving-related requests are processed by Driver’s Assistance Coordinators regardless of eligibility.
• Please submit a Driver’s Assistance request first to see if youth is eligible. If the youth is not eligible for Driver’s Assistance, the request will be transferred to Just-in-Time Funding.
• For questions, please contact the Driver’s Assistance team at licensing@treehouseforkids.org
• Just-in-Time Funding does not provide funding for auto insurance, car repairs and maintenance, towing services, AAA memberships or gas assistance. Youth must be eligible for Driver’s Assistance to access these resources.

For participants who are pregnant or parenting, Treehouse can pay up to $300 (per child) for the following items:

• Hygiene: diapers, pullups, wipes, ointments, baby soap, washcloths, and other baby hygiene items and grooming kits.
• Feeding: bottles, breast pumps, nursing supplies, formula, burp cloths, baby food, utensils, bibs, highchair.
• Sleep: swaddles, pajamas, sound machines, humidifiers, cribs, bassinets, crib sheets, baby blankets.
• On-the-go/Transportation: car seat, stroller, play mat, baby wrap/carrier, diaper bag, stroller supplies.
• Playtime: teething toys, baby books, bouncers, play pen.

Important Notes:

• Pregnancy and parenting costs are not counted toward the $1500 program year limit.
• For Coordinated Care Apple Health Core Connections members in EFC or through Alumni coverage, DCYF Start Smart for Baby program offers a no cost car seat, a no cost high-quality breast pump for breastfeeding support, and an incentive program.
• In addition to the $300 per child for the items listed above, pregnant participants also qualify for up to $300 toward maternity clothing through Just-in-Time Funding.
• The Store also offers up to three shopping visits or online orders for children of Treehouse participants.

Treehouse can provide funding for a funeral, celebration of life, or other expenses related to the passing of a young person in foster care.  For additional information, please contact Just-in-Time Funding at justintimefunding@treehouseforkids.org or call 206.767.7000.