Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Human Services & Early Learning Committee |
HB 2031
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: Concerning short-term case aides that provide temporary assistance for foster parents.
Sponsors: Representative Frame.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/19
Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).
Background:
Short-Term Case Aides.
Short-term case aides provide temporary assistance to foster parents as needed with the overall goal of supporting the parental efforts of foster parents. Short-term case aides do not provide overnight support. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is required to contract with nonprofit community-based organizations in each region to provide a statewide pool of individuals who provide short-term case aide support. Short-term case aides must be hired by the nonprofit community-based organization and have the appropriate training, background checks, and qualifications determined by the DCYF.
Short-term case aides must be available to all foster parents as funding is available. A foster parent may request a short-term case aide, and if the demand for this support exceeds the funding available, the nonprofit organization providing the short-term case aides has discretion to determine the assignment of case aides. The nonprofit organization must report all short-term support case aide support provided to the DCYF.
Reports on Case Aides.
The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) is evaluating the impact of the short-term case aide program on foster home retention and foster youth placement stability and calculate the return on investment to the state. The WSIPP published a preliminary report on short-term case aides in November, 2018, and a final report is due to the Governor and the Legislature in June 2020.
Two community-based agencies in northwest Washington began offering short-term case aide services in June 2018. Contracts were provided to Skookum Kids to provide services in Whatcom County and to Secret Harbor to provide services in Skagit County. Both are non-profit community-based child placing agencies. From June through September 2018, a total of 13 families requested, and 8 families received, a range of support services through this program.
Summary of Bill:
Short-term case aides who provide temporary assistance for foster parents may be volunteers with the nonprofit community-based organization contracted by the DCYF to establish this support, not just employees.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 15, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.