Page 1139

for fiscal year 2023, and $3,745,000 of the general fund—federal 1 appropriation are provided solely to increase the monthly rate paid 2 to contracted behavioral rehabilitation services facilities to 3 $16,861.91 per youth, effective April 1, 2022. It is the intent of 4 the legislature that the department's vendor contracts specify that 5 the funding provided in this subsection is to increase the hourly 6 wage for direct care workers, with the intent of the legislature to 7 achieve at least $25.00. 8 (44) $650,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal 9 year 2022, $2,598,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for 10 fiscal year 2023, and $1,263,000 of the general fund—federal 11 appropriation are provided solely to increase the monthly rate paid 12 for contracted behavioral rehabilitation services therapeutic foster 13 care to $10,126.92 per youth, effective April 1, 2022. It is the 14 intent of the legislature that the department's vendor contracts 15 specify that funding provided in this subsection is provided to 16 increase pass-through payments to therapeutic foster care homes. 17 (45) $8,440,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for 18 fiscal year 2023 is provided solely to increase the reimbursement 19 rates for combined in-home services providers as recommended in the 20 October 2021 combined in-home services cost study. 21 (46) $50,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal 22 year 2022 and $275,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for 23 fiscal year 2023 are provided solely for improving the financial 24 capability of dependent youth. 25 (a) The department shall develop a report with recommendations of 26 how to improve access to private, self-controlled bank accounts for 27 dependent youth ages 14 and up as well as other strategies for 28 improving financial capability of dependent youth. The department 29 must consult with stakeholders on development of the recommendations 30 and report. The report shall include but is not limited to an 31 analysis of the following: 32 (i) The documentation and information necessary for youth to 33 establish bank accounts; 34 (ii) Appropriate mechanisms to support youth in establishing the 35 accounts; 36 (iii) Issues related to compliance with current state and federal 37 laws that could impact the availability of accounts and release of 38 funds; and 39 p. 1138 ESSB 5187.SL