SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6507

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation, February 4, 2020

Title: An act relating to improving legislative reporting requirements for certain department of children, youth, and families programs.

Brief Description: Concerning legislative reporting requirements for certain department of children, youth, and families programs.

Sponsors: Senators Nguyen, Darneille and Wilson, C.; by request of Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation: 1/23/20, 2/04/20 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Directs the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to report to the Legislature an examination of engagement, resource utilization, and outcomes for clients receiving DCYF services and youth participating in juvenile court alternative programs funded by DCYF.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, REENTRY & REHABILITATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Darneille, Chair; Nguyen, Vice Chair; Walsh, Ranking Member; Cleveland, O'Ban, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7488)

Background: The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) was created by the Legislature in 2017. As part of the enacting legislation, DCYF is to report to the Legislature on its outcome measures, actions taken, progress towards its statutory goals, and plans for the future year no less than annually.

DCYF's outcome measures include (1) improving child development and school readiness; (2) preventing child abuse and neglect; (3) improving child and youth safety, permanency, and well-being; (4) improving reconciliation of children and youth with their families; (5) improving adolescent outcomes; (6) reducing future demand for mental health and substance use disorder treatment; (7) reducing criminal justice involvement and recidivism; and (8) reducing racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparities, in addition to any outcome measures developed by DCYF.

Summary of Bill: In addition to the outcome measures provided in statute, beginning September 1, 2020, and no less than annually, DCYF must report to the Legislature an examination of engagement, resource utilization, and outcomes for clients receiving DCYF services and youth participating in juvenile court alternative programs funded by DCYF.

The data in this report must be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and geography. This report must identify areas of focus to advance equity that will inform DCYF strategies so all children, youth, and families are thriving. Metrics detailing progress towards eliminating disparities and disproportionality over time must also be included.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill modernizes how DCYF reports information. Currently DCYF reports a year after the data is relevant. DCYF wants to shift to online dashboards, focus on equity, report on work better, more transparently. DCYF did stakeholder engagement, they agree more real-time data would be better, while also ensuring that contractors have the IT support and hardware they need to meet the deadlines.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Joe Nguyen, Prime Sponsor; Allison Krutsinger, Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.