SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1992-8722

By Senators Roach, von Reichbauer, Murray, Thorsness and Wojahn

     WHEREAS, Hunger and malnutrition threaten the future of a whole generation of children in Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Children who are hungry or malnourished are unable to function optimally in the classroom and are thus at risk of lower achievement in school; and

     WHEREAS, The resultant diminished future capacity of and opportunities for these children will affect this state's economic and social future; and

     WHEREAS, The legislature finds that the state has an interest in helping families provide nutritious meals to children and to support this interest passed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5568 in 1991, the anti-hunger and child nutrition bill; and

     WHEREAS, The programs essential to maximizing nutrition assistance and education for children and adolescents in Washington state are currently administered by a variety of state agencies and many community-based organizations and there is no structure to promote coordination, cooperation, and resource development on goals and standards; and

     WHEREAS, Nutrition is critical for disease prevention, health promotion, and the educational readiness of children;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate assign to the family policy council the task of ensuring that a comprehensive child and adolescent nutrition policy for the state of Washington be developed according to the following guidelines:

     (1) Agencies and organizations that should be invited to be involved include the legislature, the governor, the board of health, the department of health, the department of community development, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the department of social and health services, county and city officials, the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children, the Washington State Dietetic Association, the Washington School Food Service Association, the University of Washington School of Public Health, the Washington State University Cooperative Extension, teachers, school administrators from school districts and educational service districts, the Washington Association of School Administrators, the Washington Association of School Directors, Head Start/ECEAP, parent-teacher associations, the Anti-Hunger and Child Nutrition Coalition, the Washington Association of Local WIC Agencies, the Washington State Family Child Care Association, School Nurses Association of Washington, the Nursing Directors Association, the Washington State Food and Nutrition Council, and other relevant organizations;

     (2) The issues to be addressed include dietary guidelines, nutrition education, coordination of dietary and food selection standards across programs, cultural competency, training of providers and educators, and public awareness;

     (3) The policy recommendations should rely on current funding sources, resource coordination, and total funding needs;

     (4) A continuing review process should be incorporated into the policy; and

     (5) The policy should focus on programs for children from birth through twelfth grade, including educational settings, public health programs, and community programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the family policy council report to the legislature by December 15, 1992, outlining progress and providing recommendations for further action; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the President of the Senate to the family policy council.

I, Gordon A. Golob, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1992-8722,

adopted by the Senate March 9, 1992.

GORDON A. GOLOB

Secretary of the Senate