AN ACT Relating to community-based child care resource and referral agencies; amending RCW 74.13.0903; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that an integrated child care services system is needed in local communities to ensure that planning and coordination of child care services occurs and that linkages between consumers and child care providers are established. The legislature finds that establishment of the state office of the child care resources coordinator, the state child care coordinating committee, and the state child care partnership are only steps toward achieving an integrated child care system. Additional steps, including the support of existing community-based child care resource and referral programs, and the development of new community-based child care resource and referral programs, must be taken to help parents obtain appropriate child care for their children, increase the supply of child care services, and improve the quality of child care services through training and support of child care providers.

The legislature intends that community-based child care resource and referral services be provided and funded in collaboration with local community associations, local governments, employers, nonprofit organizations, consumers, and state and federal agencies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Persons or organizations may apply for funding through the office of the child care resources coordinator to establish or operate a community-based child care resource and referral program. In evaluating applications for funding, the coordinator shall consider the applicant's ability to collaborate with citizen community associations, public and private organizations, and employer groups to offer, or make progress towards offering, the activities provided in subsection (2) of this section. The coordinator shall also consider the number of children under age twelve in the geographic area that will be served by the program when determining the level of funding for the program.

(2) Community-based child care resource and referral programs shall develop a service plan that includes the following components:

(a) Provide parents with information regarding child care, including but not limited to the location of child care services, information regarding child care licensing requirements, how to choose quality child care services, and the availability of funds to subsidize child care costs;

(b) Participate with community associations, citizens, and community agencies or organizations in the provision of parent support services, such as parent education classes and information on community services available to families;

(c) Provide support to child care providers, such as: Information regarding training opportunities, development of appropriate training as needed, resource libraries, toy lending libraries, meeting space, information regarding the operation of child care as a small business, and liaison with department child care licensors;

(d) Recruit licensed child care providers, emphasizing geographic or program areas that have an inadequate supply of child care services;

(e) In cooperation with the child care partnership established under this chapter, provide technical assistance to employers regarding employee child care benefits;

(f) Directly or through a coalition of child care resource and referral programs, compile and make public concise information to private and public employers and state and local policymakers regarding child care supply and demand including information on gaps in service specific to geographic areas, needs of families specific to ages and care needs of their children and adolescents, and collaborate with the public and private sector for appropriate levels of child care services; and

(g) Collaborate with geographically connected child care providers to accurately describe the demand for quality child care services in their communities and region, and participate in coordinated efforts for delivery of services to families.

(3) At least fifty percent of the funding and resources for community-based child care resource and referral agencies under this section shall be local public and private sector matching funds. These matching funds may be provided by outside sources including private charitable and nonprofit organizations, private employers, public entities, local and city governments, and municipal corporations. In-kind contribution for materials, supplies, or physical facilities may be considered as all or part of the matching funds required by this section.

(4) The community-based child care resource and referral agencies may request and receive funds, gifts, grants, or appropriations from the legislature, the federal government or private sources.

Sec. 3. RCW 74.13.0903 and 1989 c 381 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

The office of the child care resources coordinator is established to operate under the authority of the department of social and health services. The office shall, within appropriated funds:

(1) Staff and assist the child care coordinating committee in the implementation of its duties under RCW 74.13.090;

(2) Work with local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community child care advocates to create local child care resource and referral organizations((~~. These organizations may carry out needs assessments, resource development, provider training, technical assistance, and parent information and training~~));

(3) Actively seek public and private money for distribution as grants to potential or existing ((~~local~~)) community-based child care resource and referral ((~~organizations. No grant shall be distributed that is greater than twenty‑five thousand dollars~~)) programs as provided in section 2 of this act;

(4) ((Adopt rules regarding the application for and distribution of grants to local child care resource and referral organizations. The rules shall, at a minimum, require an applicant to submit a plan for achieving the following objectives:

~~(a) Provide parents with information about child care resources, including location of services and subsidies;~~

~~(b) Carry out child care provider recruitment and training programs;~~

~~(c) Offer support services, such as parent and provider seminars, toy‑lending libraries, and substitute banks;~~

~~(d) Provide information for businesses regarding child care supply and demand;~~

~~(e) Advocate for increased public and private sector resources devoted to child care; and~~

~~(f) Provide technical assistance to employers regarding employee child care services;~~

~~(5)~~)) Provide staff support and technical assistance to local child care resource and referral organizations;

((~~(6) Organize the local child care resource and referral organizations into a state‑wide system;~~

~~(7)~~)) (5) Maintain a state‑wide ((~~child care referral~~)) data bank of licensed providers and work with department of social and health services licensors to provide information to ((~~local~~)) community-based child care resource and referral organizations about licensed child care providers in the state;

((~~(8) Through local resource and referral organizations, compile data about local child care needs and availability for future planning and development;~~

~~(9)~~)) (6) Coordinate the provision of training and technical assistance to child care providers; and

((~~(10)~~)) (7) Collect and assemble information regarding the availability of insurance and of federal and other child care funding to assist state and local agencies, businesses, and other child care providers in offering child care services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1991, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.