HB 1656 - DIGEST

     Declares that the focus of the child welfare system should be on efforts to shorten foster care placement or avoid it altogether.

     Declares an intent that the services be locally based and offered as early as possible to avoid disruption to the family, out-of-home placement of the child, and entry into the dependency system.

     Provides for ongoing training and consultation to department personnel to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

     Provides for training to family court and juvenile judges on the function and use of intensive family preservation services.

     Establishes procedures governing release of and access to child welfare records.

     Provides for the development and publication of a guide to federal and state juvenile confidentiality laws.

     Revises provisions for a provisional license to a foster-family home.

     Provides for acquisition of student records upon transfer to another school.

     Repeals RCW 74.14C.035.