Brief Description: Revising the definition of out-of-home placement.

Sponsors: Senators Stevens, Hargrove, McAuliffe, Parlette, Eide, Schmidt, Deccio, Kastama, Regala, Sheahan, Rasmussen and Shin.

Hearing Date: 2/19/04

Staff: Cynthia Forland (786-7152).

Background:

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to be the lead administrative agency for preservation services, which consist of Family Preservation Services (FPS) and Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS).

FPS are in-home or community-based services drawing on the strengths of the family and its individual members while addressing family needs to strengthen and keep the family together, where possible, and may include the following:

 •    respite care of children to provide temporary relief for parents and other caregivers;

 •    services designed to improve parenting skills with respect to such matters as child development, family budgeting, coping with stress, health, safety, and nutrition; and

 •    services designed to promote the well-being of children and families, increase the strength and stability of families, increase parents' confidence and competence in their parenting abilities, promote a safe, stable, and supportive family environment for children, and otherwise enhance children's development.

IFPS are community-based services that are delivered primarily in the home and follow intensive service models with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing or avoiding the need for unnecessary imminent out-of-home placement. "Out-of-home placement" is defined by law as placement in a licensed foster family home or group care facility or placement in a home, other than that of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, not required to be licensed.

The DSHS may provide preservation services directly and is required, within available funds, to enter into outcome-based, competitive contracts with social service agencies to provide preservation services, provided that those agencies meet measurable standards.

The DSHS may not provide IFPS unless it is demonstrated that provision of such services prevent out-of-home placement in at least 70 percent of the cases served for a period of at least six months following termination of services. Contractors must demonstrate that provision of IFPS prevent out-of-home placement in at least 70 percent of the cases served for a period of no less than six months following termination of services. "Prevent out-of-home placement" is defined by law as meaning that a child who has been a recipient of IFPS has not been placed outside of the home, other than for a single, temporary period of time not exceeding 14 days.

Summary of Bill:

The limitation on the provision of IFPS by the DSHS is revised to provide that provision of those services must be demonstrated to prevent placement in a licensed foster family home or group care facility in at least 70 percent of the out-of-home placement cases served for a period of at least six months following termination of services.

The requirement of IFPS contractors is revised to provide that provision of IFPS must be demonstrated to prevent placement in a licensed foster family home or group care facility in at least 70 percent of the out-of-home placement cases served for a period of no less than six months following termination of services.

The definition of "prevent out-of-home placement" is limited to mean that a child who has been a recipient of IFPS has not been placed outside of the home in a licensed foster family home or group care facility, other than for a single, temporary period of time not exceeding 14 days.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.