Pierce County is seeking proposals from organizations to provide high-quality out-of-school programming for youth and young adult students ages 11 through 25. Supported by a $1.7 million investment, this effort directly aligns with the Pierce County Executive’s priority to ensure more youth have access to quality out-of-school programs that promote safety, learning and positive social-emotional development for participants. All proposed projects must provide services and/or serve youths in the Pierce County Regional Transit Authority ‘RTA’ service area. Organizations may request funding starting at a minimum of $50,000.

In 2015, the Washington State Legislature passed SB5987, establishing the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) in the state treasury as a part of transportation funding legislation. The account is funded from a sale and use tax offset fee of 3.25% of total payments made by Sound Transit on the cost of construction projects. A portion of these funds are distributed to counties to provide support for educational services that improve educational outcomes in early learning, K-12, and higher education for youth and young adults, including but not limited to those who are low income, experiencing homelessness, or in foster care, and other vulnerable populations.