BILL REQ. #: H-0587.1
| State of Washington | 58th Legislature | 2003 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/14/2003. Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.
AN ACT Relating to educational attainment of children in foster care; adding new sections to chapter 74.15 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that the educational
attainment of children in foster care is significantly lower than that
of children not in foster care. The legislature finds that many
factors influence educational outcomes for children in foster care,
including the disruption of the educational process because of
repeatedly changing schools.
The legislature recognizes and encourages the ongoing efforts of
the department of social and health services and the office of the
superintendent of public instruction to improve educational attainment
of children in foster care. It is the intent of the legislature that
efforts continue such as recruiting foster homes in school districts
with high rates of foster care placements, the development and
dissemination of informational materials regarding the challenges faced
by children in foster care, and the expansion to other school districts
of best practices identified in pilot projects.
It is also the intent of the legislature that the best interests of
the child are a primary consideration in the school placement of a
child in foster care. Whenever practical, foster children are to
remain enrolled in the same school upon entry into foster care.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 74.15 RCW
to read as follows:
The administrative regions of the department shall develop
protocols with the respective school districts in their regions
specifying strategies for communication, coordination, and
collaboration in order to maximize the educational continuity and
achievement for foster children.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 74.15 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) The department shall establish an oversight committee composed
of staff from the children's administration of the department, the
office of the superintendent of public instruction, and advocacy
agencies to develop best practice standards to maintain foster children
in their home school whenever practical.
(2) The duties of the workgroup shall include, but are not limited
to:
(a) Developing strategies for school-based recruitment of foster
homes;
(b) Monitoring the progress of current pilot projects;
(c) Overseeing the expansion of the number of pilot projects;
(d) Promoting the use of best practices throughout the pilot
projects; and
(e) Informing the legislature of the status of efforts to improve
educational attainment of foster children.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 A new section is added to chapter 74.15 RCW
to read as follows:
The department shall work with the administrative office of the
courts to develop protocols to ensure that educational stability is
addressed during the shelter care hearing.