S-1988

AN ACT Relating to enhancement of employment transition programs for developmentally disabled high school students; adding a new section to chapter 71A.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.20A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW; making appropriations; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 71A.12 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature recognizes that developmentally disabled citizens are active, involved, and contributing community members. The legislature finds that scarce resources limit the state's ability to meet the needs of all unserved developmentally disabled citizens. Due to this limited resource availability, developmentally disabled high school graduates and other adults are often placed on a waiting list for residential services, employment services, or other appropriate day programs. Waiting lists cause developmentally disabled high school graduates and other adults to experience a deterioration in life and work skills. The legislature declares that current waiting lists limit the unserved developmentally disabled citizen's immense potential for contribution to their community.

Effective July 1, 1991, the legislature intends to expand services to developmentally disabled secondary school graduates within available resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:

The secretary shall establish a regional disabilities employment function that shall provide services to promote and enhance effective transition from educational or treatment programs to employment for persons with functional limitations, including mental illness, developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. The regional disabilities employment function shall also enhance the use of alternative resources such as social security work incentives and natural supports and promote competitive, integrated employment opportunities in both the public and private sector.

The regional disabilities employment function shall: (1) Develop a package of incentives, offered by application to interested local school districts, that enhance the disabled student's transition from school to work. The incentives may include, but are not limited to, technical assistance and training for teachers or staff, curriculum development, and other measures necessary to promote flexible teaching and educational practices that support the transition to integrated, competitive, and continuing employment; and (2) collaborate with businesses, government agencies, local schools, postsecondary educational institutions, regional support networks, developmental disabilities boards, or other relevant county authorities to develop and encourage collaborative community linkages and partnerships that create placement opportunities, provide mentors and prepare functionally disabled citizens for the transition from school or treatment programs to work.

The secretary shall contract for this function on a competitive basis with existing community organizations such as individuals, firms, nonprofit organizations, county authorities, or other programs demonstrating proven expertise in supported employment and a willingness to collaborate with county authorities, regional support networks, schools, and other involved parties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:

An appropriate educational program for all handicapped students age fifteen or older shall include the development of life and vocational skills necessary to achieve appropriate involvement in employment and/or community opportunities. The parent or guardian shall be involved in the selection of appropriate employment and community opportunities.

The school, at the direction of the parent or guardian, shall provide an amount equivalent to the portion of state funds generated by the average handicapped student for the purposes of financing and contracting with parents and the regional disabilities employment function contractor pursuant to section 2 of this act to secure appropriate employment and/or community opportunities for handicapped students outside of the school setting.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sum of two million four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the purposes of contracting for the regional disabilities employment function. Regional disabilities employment contractors shall place equal emphasis on the development of incentive packages for local school districts and building community partnerships and connections pursuant to section 2 of this act.

The sum of ............. dollars as appropriated in the budget act, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, for the purposes of providing supported employment placement, training, and ongoing support services to at least five hundred sixty developmentally or functionally disabled citizens transitioning from educational or treatment programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1991.