They sought support for a half-dozen bills and budget items related to retaining foster parents, helping foster kids get drivers licenses and keeping youth out of juvenile detention.
Lawmakers in Olympia passed a half-dozen new laws and millions in funding.
Faced with a severe, ongoing shortage of foster parents, the state Children’s Administration has grown desperate.
The state Legislature approved nearly $16 million in new funding last week, but the effort may come up short in fixing an overwhelmed system.
Washington state lawmakers have pledged to provide support for this at-risk group by the end of the year.
