FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 6428
PARTIAL VETO
C 198 L 92
SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED
Brief Description: Improving the responsiveness of services for at‑risk children and families.
SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Stratton and Oke; by request of Dept. of Social and Health Services, Department of Health, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Department of Community Development and Employment Security Department)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
BACKGROUND:
State agencies and programs have a difficult time serving children and families needing assistance from more than one service provider. Problems faced by children and families typically involve several bureaucracies which each address a distinct, categorical problem.
Children and families which face multiple problems involving schools, alcohol or drug abuse, criminal activity, abuse, neglect or family dysfunction, mental illness, developmental disability, poverty, or health problems pose a dilemma for organizations which administer categorical funds and organize around specific services instead of service populations.
SUMMARY:
A family policy council is created. The council is composed of: (1) the Superintendent of Public Instruction; (2) the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS); (3) the Secretary of the Department of Health; (4) the Commissioner of Employment Security; (5) the Director of the Department of Community Development; (6) four legislators; and (7) a representative of the Governor.
The council shall solicit funding proposals from local consortia to address the needs of children and families whose needs are not met by the programs of a single department. The council may submit a prioritized list of projects recommended for funding in the Governor's budget. Funds for consortium projects will be identified by agencies represented on the family policy council from budget requests or existing appropriations for services to children and families.
The Joint Select Committee on Juvenile Issues shall prepare a study on: (1) the establishment of a network of local consortia authorized to receive a transfer of authority and program funds for enumerated programs; (2) requiring local consortia to develop two-year plans; (3) ways in which the local consortia could improve assistance that will strengthen the family; and (4) determining the need for an institute on children and family services.
The Governor may take whatever action is necessary to avoid the duplication of these efforts by any other councils, commissions, or committees.
The Birth-to-Six Interagency Coordinating Council is created to ensure the coordination and collaboration of state agencies providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities. The Governor will appoint the council members. Agencies providing early intervention services may not use funds received for early intervention services to replace funds from other sources.
Participating state and local agencies will have formal interagency agreements defining their relationships and financial responsibilities for services in each county. The agreements will include procedures for resolving disputes, provisions establishing maintenance of effort requirements, and any additional components to ensure collaboration and coordination.
The council will work with county early childhood interagency coordinating councils to coordinate and enhance existing services for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:
Senate 45 3
House 96 0 (House amended)
Senate (Ruled beyond scope)
Conference Committee
House 96 0
Senate 43 0
EFFECTIVE: June 11, 1992 (Sections 14-17)
July 1, 1992 (Sections 1-13)
Partial Veto Summary: The provision requiring the joint select committee to undertake certain studies is stricken. The requirement that implementation provisions be included in federal and state plans affecting the state's children is eliminated. (See VETO MESSAGE)