Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 1887
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Creating the student veterans' support program.
Sponsors: Representatives Stanford, MacEwen, Gregerson, Peterson, Orwall, Wylie, Moscoso, Tarleton, Zeiger, Kilduff and Bergquist.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/9/15
Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).
Background:
Partners for Veteran Supportive Campuses Certificate Program.
In 2009 the Governor and state agencies jointly signed a Partners for Veteran Supportive Campuses Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support veteran related education goals. On November 21, 2014 the Governor and state agencies signed an updated version of the MOU. The updated MOU reaffirmed the state's commitment to assist veterans and their families to achieve post-secondary goals.
Under the MOU, college campuses, including community and technical colleges, may apply for a Partner for Veteran Supportive Campus Certificate. The certificate acknowledges the schools' commitment to support post-secondary education for veterans.
Any post-secondary education or training institution is eligible to apply as long as the campus is approved by a Washington State Approving Authority to accept G.I. Bill benefits. There are two Washington State Approving Authorities, the Workforce Board and Washington Student Achievement Council. To submit an application, campuses must include examples of how they will achieve the following areas of success:
create a culture of trust and connectedness across the campus community to promote well-being and success for veterans;
ensure consistent and sustained support from campus leadership;
implement an early alert system to ensure all veterans receive academic, career, and financial advice before challenges become overwhelming;
coordinate and centralize campus efforts for all veterans, together with the creation of a designated space (even if limited in size);
collaborate with local communities and organizations, including government agencies, to align and coordinate various services for veterans;
utilize a uniform set of data tools to collect and track information on veterans, including demographics, retention and degree completion;
provide comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans; and
develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective practices for veterans.
A total of 30 campuses have signed an individual Partner for Veteran Supportive Campuses Certificate to date.
Summary of Bill:
The Washington Student Veteran's Program is established under the authority of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (Department). The purpose of the program is to provide grants for community and technical colleges, and two-year institutions who have submitted an application for the Partners for Veteran Supportive Campus program. The grants can be used to provide student services, academic advising, or other purposes consistent with the Partners for Veteran Supportive Campuses program. Eligible applicant schools may receive a grant of up to $20,000 every two years. The Department evaluates the program applications.
State appropriations for the program are limited to no more than $100,000 per fiscal biennium.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 5, 2015.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.