WSU Extension says Foresee Success summer program will not run in 2025 amid reimbursement and contract delays

WSU Extension staff told the Skamania County Board of Commissioners on April 22 that the county’s Foresee Success summer youth program will likely not run in 2025 because key contracts and reimbursements are being held and timing no longer supports launching the program this year.

The update came from Summer (WSU Extension staff), who said, “we will not be able to run, foresee success in 2025.” Summer and other Extension staff described two main problems: (1) a contract that oversees reimbursement and (2) $10,000 the school district has not yet been reimbursed under the previous agreement. Extension staff said the Forest Service and grant administrators have told them contracts and reimbursements are under review and timelines are uncertain.

Why it matters: Foresee Success is a multi-agency summer program that relies on federal and partner reimbursements routed through the local school district as fiscal agent. Summer said the school district has limited “risk tolerance” to front the roughly $110,000 program cost if reimbursements are delayed, and that the district is unwilling to be on the hook without a firm guarantee. “If we went through this and then those reimbursements weren't coming, that there would be somebody who could take on that burden on behalf of the school district,” Summer said describing district concerns.

Extension staff outlined possible short-term alternatives if the county wanted to consider assuming the financial risk for 2025. Options discussed included the county acting as fiscal agent or using other restricted revenue sources, but county officials expressed reluctance to take on unreimbursed exposure now. Commissioner discussion focused on whether a limited, county-backed bridge could preserve this year’s program and on preparing to re-launch in 2026 if funds become available then.

Extension staff said one likely scenario — described by Forest Service staff as possible but not guaranteed — would be rolling the earmarked funds into 2026. Summer added that even if that happens, larger, stable funding for year two and beyond is not assured.

The board and Extension staff agreed to pursue follow-up steps: Extension will contact grant contacts (including Johanna) and report back; commissioners asked staff to explore a short workshop next week to examine county fiscal options and, if needed, to invite the school district and other partners to discuss contingency arrangements.

Extension staff emphasized they will continue to seek alternative grants and partners and will keep the county updated if anything changes. “If there's any interest in going to, like, a workshop…If those other 2 things do come through…we would, of course, entertain that,” Summer said.

Ending: For now, commissioners asked staff to seek immediate clarification about the withheld $10,000 reimbursement and to consider a rapid workshop to test whether short-term county or partner support could sustainForesee Success for summer 2025. Extension will return with any new commitments or a recommended plan for 2026 readiness.