SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6809

                    As of February 3, 2000

Title:  An act relating to residential services for children.

Brief Description:  Ordering a study of residential services for children.

Sponsors:  Senators Costa, Thibaudeau and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/3/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Risa Sandler (786-7708)

Background:  An interest has been expressed in an overview of the residential placement decision-making process and expenditures thereof within the Children=s Administration.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Washington Institute for Public Policy is directed to conduct a study of the types of residential services provided to children in the care of the Department of Social and Health Services, Children=s Administration.

The study must determine the number and percentage of children served by the department in each type of residential placement setting.  This includes information regarding foster care, group care, institutional care, relative placement, and transitional living services for older teens.  Unit costs and total expenditures for each placement type must also be determined.

Methods and criteria used to make placement decisions are studied.  Best practices in other states, including unit costs and expenditures, are also be reviewed, as will expenditures and unit costs for prevention services.  The Institute must report results of the study to the Legislature by December 1, 2001.  The report must include recommendations regarding the placement decision-making process and current funding methodologies for residential placements and for prevention services.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Washington State Institute for Public Policy is now directed to conduct this study.  Types of residential services that must be included in the study are outlined.  The portion of the study originally focused on prevention services is no longer directed to determine the percentage distribution of such services in Washington State.  The appropriation decreased from $250,000 to $115,000.

Appropriation:  $115,000.

Fiscal Note:  Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.