FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5117

C 194 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Establishing intensive behavior support services.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Kauffman, Stevens, Kline and Marr; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Human Services

House Committee on Health & Human Services Appropriations

Background: Children with a developmental disability may also have behaviors which are violent, disruptive, or destructive toward themselves or family members. These children may be difficult to handle when they are small, but as they age, they may become a threat to others. Families with children who have intense behavior issues have difficulty responding and, in the past, services to assist these families have been scarce. In recent years, 21 individuals under age 21 have been admitted for both short- and long-term stays to Fircrest, a residential habilitation center in Shoreline. This was due, in part, to the lack of services available in the community to support families in crisis.

In 2008 the Legislature funded in-home services to families providing specialized behavioral support. Currently the state is awaiting approval from the federal government for a Medicaid waiver to provide this program to families with children who are eligible for these services.

Summary: The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must establish a program to support children with challenging behaviors to remain at home. DSHS must develop new contracts and recruit qualified providers to deliver services addressing each eligible child's unique needs. Collaboration is required between service providers, family members, schools, and health practitioners to establish effective supports for each child in multiple settings. The program must include intensive case management, evaluation, and monitoring.

Votes on Final Passage:

Effective: July 26, 2009