Our Services

Treehouse gives foster kids a childhood and a future by providing enrichment and education programs.

Treehouse Education Programs

Tutoring, Treehouse Learning Center and Summer Academy

Our intensive in-school tutoring program places certified teachers in five public schools (Aki Kurose Middle School, Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Madrona K-8, Washington Middle School or Dimmitt Middle School) to provide foster kids with essential tutoring in basic skills. We also offer after-school, drop-in tutoring at the Treehouse Learning Center in the Rainier Valley from 3:00 – 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. Summer Academy is a 5-week summer program combines academic remediation, career exploration and enrichment activities. Treehouse also provides week-long programs for winter and spring breaks.p>

College and Career Planning

College and Career Planning works with foster youth in grades 6 - 12 to help them create specific, individualized education and career plans for the future. Treehouse staff visits more than 20 middle and high schools to work with foster youth one-on-one (Seattle, Federal Way, Highline and Renton school districts.) The program uses the renowned Navigation 101 curriculum. In middle school, youth explore how interests and passions can connect to career possibilities. In high school, we work with youth, caregivers and social workers to ensure youth stay on track to graduate. We also provide workshops and individualized help with standardized testing, essay writing, financial aid forms and scholarship applications that are essential to accessing higher education, trade schools, and careers.p>

Educational Advocacy

Treehouse Educational Advocates are experts who work with schools, social workers, foster families and foster youth to resolve difficult issues and remove barriers to foster kids’ school success. Advocates are co-located in Children’s Administration offices around the state. Educational Advocates:
•help students access education-related support services, including special education;
•prevent school changes when students’ home placements change;
•pave the way for seamless transitions when school changes are unavoidable;
•minimize the effects of disciplinary actions that keep students out of school;
•assist high school youth in making up credits when necessary and identifying alternative high school programs to stay engaged and on track to graduate; and
•training caregivers, social workers and students themselves to advocate for students’ educational rights.

Treehouse Enrichment Programs

Little Wishes

The Treehouse Little Wishes program helps pay for the activities that every child deserves to explore and enjoy. We provide access to extracurricular activities like sports, music, dance and clubs, as well as school activities. Experience tells us that kids who are positively engaged in school and community have better academic and life outcomes.

Summer Camp

Treehouse provides access to the summer camp of choice for foster kids, including overnight camps, day camps and other summer programs. Summer camp is a chance for foster kids to get away from it all, make new friends and just be a kid and gives foster parents much-needed time to recharge.

The Wearhouse

The Wearhouse is a free store where foster kids shop for new and like-new clothing, books, toys and other things to help them feel good and fit in. Eligible foster youth can shop up to five times each year. Emergency visits can be arranged when children enter out-of-home placement.

Holiday Magic

The News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM Holiday Magic program helps foster kids in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 have a happy holiday by raising resources from the community to provide each child with one significant holiday gift. Foster children in out-of-home care between October and December are eligible. A separate Holiday Magic referral is required and should be submitted between October 1 and November 30 or as children enter care. 

Who is eligible for Treehouse services?

Our services are available to all youth living in King County in out-of-home care, including those who are living with relatives other than birth parents.  See our complete guidelines here.

Educational Advocacy is the only exception to this and those guidelines are here.

How do I access Treehouse services?

DCFS social workers must refer eligible youth using this form. 

Please note, incomplete referrals cannot be processed.