Brief Description: Requesting proposals to design a new administrative and service delivery infrastructure for local social and health services.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Fromhold, Mielke, Boldt, Romero and Wallace.

Hearing Date: 2/3/03

Staff: Cynthia Forland (786-7152).

Background:

Social and health services in Washington are delivered through a variety of sources. Services for families, children, and individuals in financial need are provided through the federal government, the state government, local governments, and private organizations. For example, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Economic Services Administration provides cash and food assistance, child care subsidies, and case management services; federal, county and city governments provide food and nutrition services, school lunch programs, and Head Start programs; and community-based organizations provide welfare-to-work services, provide resource and referral services, and operate food and clothing banks.

Summary of Bill:

The DSHS must issue a request for proposal to counties or groups of counties to design a new administrative and service delivery infrastructure for supporting and managing social and health services at the local level.

The proposal must include an integrated total population management system utilizing a public service corporation or a nonprofit corporation as the administrative service organization responsible for the organization of local services.

The DSHS must submit proposed changes in statute and operating budget procedures to the Legislature by January 15, 2004, to implement the solicited proposals.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.