BILL REQ. #:  H-1961.3 

Read first time 02/25/2003.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to the funding of family preservation and intervention services; adding new sections to chapter 74.13 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the growing research literature on proven family preservation and intervention services can have a positive impact on how these services are funded and delivered in our communities. This body of research helps to demonstrate that successful, effective family preservation and intervention services are cost-effective to the state by measurably reducing rates of child abuse and neglect, out-of-home placement, re-referrals to child protective services, family conflict, and behavioral problems in children who are in out-of-home care.
     The legislature further finds that while this body of research is instructive in helping to guide decision making, research is by no means static. Research should guide, but not limit, innovation within a local community to best tailor proven prevention and intervention strategies to the particular needs of that community. The legislature finds that the state can benefit greatly from the involvement of individuals who are knowledgeable about research in the field of family preservation and intervention, as well as individuals who are knowledgeable about local community needs.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to establish a new delivery system for family preservation and intervention services which assures that both research and community perspectives on effective prevention and intervention strategies guide program funding decisions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Funding previously provided for the alternative response system, continuum of care, family preservation services, and intensive family preservation services shall be combined. The combined funds shall be allocated through a request for proposal issued by the department of social and health services for the provision of family preservation and intervention services in the state.
     (2) Each proposal must be for a program that meets the following criteria:
     (a) Defines clear, measurable outcomes;
     (b) Is research-based;
     (c) Can demonstrate its anticipated cost-effectiveness;
     (d) Can demonstrate broad community involvement, support, and partnerships; and
     (e) Conducts an evaluation of its program outcomes.
     (3) Each proposal must clearly demonstrate collaboration with the appropriate regional office of the department of social and health services and outline agreements with the regional office regarding referrals to the proposed program and a joint approach to addressing the needs of families.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) There is established a family preservation and intervention services panel convened by the department of social and health services. The panel shall review and rate all proposals for family preservation and intervention services throughout the state solicited by the department under section 2 of this act and be responsible for the allocation of the funds appropriated for the purposes of sections 2 through 5 of this act. Funds shall be allocated to assure an equitable distribution of resources among regions.
     (2) The membership of the panel shall consist of eleven members, appointed by the secretary of the department of social and health services, who shall include: (a) Individuals with expertise in research on effective family preservation and intervention services; (b) individuals with expertise in community-based provision of family preservation and intervention services, for whom membership on the panel does not involve a conflict of interest; (c) representatives of the Washington state institute for public policy; and (d) representatives of the department of social and health services, including regional office representatives.
     (3) The panel shall elect a chair from among its members. Vacancies in the membership of the panel shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
     (4) Reasonable expenses of the panel, including staffing and travel expenses, shall be paid for with moneys appropriated for the purposes of sections 2 through 5 of this act. Members of the panel shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to the criteria provided in section 2(2) of this act, the family preservation and intervention services panel shall establish criteria identifying specific outcomes that a program must demonstrate its ability to meet, such as a reduction in any one or more of the following: Child abuse and neglect; out-of-home placement; re-referrals to child protective services; family conflict; and behavioral problems in children who are in out-of-home care.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     The family preservation and intervention services panel shall annually report to the legislature on the programs funded under this act. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following information for each funded program: (1) The amount of funding provided; (2) the number of individuals served; and (3) an evaluation of the outcomes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     The funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services throughout the state must be used solely for the purposes of sections 2 through 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   The sum of twenty-one million three hundred seventeen thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, to carry out the purposes of this act.