BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to parent education; adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A parents as first teachers pilot program is established to provide support to children and their families during the child's first four years of life. The program is a voluntary enrichment program that shall provide clear, usable, and carefully researched information and assistance to parents in fulfilling their parenting and teaching roles. The purpose of the program is to promote parental involvement in the education of their children to help ensure children are ready to learn before entering the school system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of community development shall administer the parents as first teachers pilot program, in coordination with the early childhood assistance program, and in collaboration with other existing programs. The target age group is from the third trimester of pregnancy through age four. Access to the program shall be universal on a sliding fee scale, except that the state shall cover costs of services provided to at-risk children and their families.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) Entities eligible to submit applications to conduct a parents as first teachers pilot program include school districts, preschools, providers of health services, early childhood assistance program providers, and other providers of preschool and parenting education.

(2) Initial applications shall be submitted to the department of community development by February 1, 1994. Each application shall include, but not be limited to the following information:

(a) The number of children and their families in the prenatal through age four age group that the applicant is capable of serving;

(b) The method by which the applicant will identify and contact the target families;

(d) Methods for providing periodic developmental assessment of children enrolled in the program and for determining that expected outcomes for the program are being met;

(e) The training and experience levels of staff;

(f) Budget plans for the project and additional anticipated sources of funding, including private grants and contributions, if any; and

(g) Proposed plans for collaboration with other service providers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The department of community development shall establish rules for the award of grant moneys for three pilot programs, which rules shall include a method to distribute the programs geographically around the state effectively.

(2) The department of community development shall distribute the initial award grants by May 1, 1994.

(3) The parents as first teachers pilot programs may be conducted for up to six years, subject to available funding.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department of community development may accept, receive, and administer such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be provided from public and private sources, and shall actively solicit support from business and industry and from the federal government for the purposes of sections 1 through 7 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department of community development shall establish an advisory committee composed of representatives from the department of health, the division of children and family services within the department of social and health services, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and such other organizations as deemed necessary by the department to assist with the establishment of the program and advise the department on matters regarding the ongoing operation of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The department of community development shall report by December 1, 1997, to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the expenditures made, the outcomes attained, and other pertinent aspects of its experience in the implementation of this program.

(2) Each pilot program shall submit an annual report to the department of community development on the progress of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 7 of this act are each added to chapter 43.63A RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. This act shall expire January 1, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The sum of two million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the general fund to the department of community development for the purposes of this act.