{"id":43059,"date":"2024-01-02T20:44:05","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T20:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/new-financial-resources-now-available-to-assist-washington-youth-in-foster-care-getting-their-drivers-license\/"},"modified":"2024-01-02T20:44:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T20:44:05","slug":"new-financial-resources-now-available-to-assist-washington-youth-in-foster-care-getting-their-drivers-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/new-financial-resources-now-available-to-assist-washington-youth-in-foster-care-getting-their-drivers-license\/","title":{"rendered":"New Financial Resources Now Available to Assist Washington Youth in Foster Care Getting Their Driver\u2019s License"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Seattle, WA, Jan. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Treehouse, Washington\u2019s leading nonprofit supporting youth in foster care, announces changes to the organization\u2019s Driver\u2019s Assistance program that includes paying for more expansive services.<\/p>\n

Beginning July 10, 2023, Treehouse began covering the cost of car tab renewals, gas cards, comprehensive auto insurance, car maintenance and more, in addition to driver\u2019s education, licensing and testing fees and liability car insurance, which it had historically covered.<\/p>\n

\u201cA driver\u2019s license is a rite of passage for many young adults and a necessity for accessing school experiences and job opportunities,\u201d said Sarah Mazur, Program Manager for Financial Resources at Treehouse. \u201cGetting your driver\u2019s license is even more important for those in rural areas where public transportation is inaccessible or unreliable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2017, the Driver\u2019s Assistance program has supported more than 1,800 [KA1]<\/a>\u00a0[VK2]<\/a>\u00a0youth by providing financial assistance toward obtaining their driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

As a program funded through the Washington State Legislature transportation budget, the legislation that authorizes the program used language that restricted what expenses could be funded. That language was expanded during the 2023 legislative session.<\/p>\n

To be eligible for Driver\u2019s Assistance, youth must be between 15-20 years old and have an open State or Tribal dependency case (including Extended Foster Care) in Washington state. No referral is required. Eligible youth or their caregivers can make a request for assistance online and eligibility will be verified through Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) or Tribe Specific Indian Children Welfare (ICW) Director.<\/p>\n

Quotes from participants<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n