Brief Description: Creating an "investing in youth program."

Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, McDonald, Moeller, Darneille, Jarrett, Simpson, Morrell, Sommers, Kenney, McDermott, Kagi, Chase and Clibborn.

Hearing Date: 1/11/06.

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

In 2003, the Legislature directed the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to review research assessing the effectiveness of prevention and early intervention programs concerning children and youth. The Legislature required the WSIPP to use the research to identify specific research-proven programs that produce a positive return on the dollar compared to the costs of the program. The WSIPP was also required to develop criteria designed to ensure quality implementation and program fidelity of research-proven programs in the state.

As part of this project, the Legislature also directed the WSIPP to investigate ways in which local government can be encouraged to develop economically attractive prevention and early intervention programs.

As a result of the study, the WSIPP found that some prevention and early intervention programs for youth can give taxpayers a good return on their dollar. The study identified several programs that, if properly implemented, are likely to reduce taxpayer and other costs in the future.

In 2005, through a budget proviso, the Legislature appropriated $319,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $678,000 for fiscal year 2007 to establish a reinvesting in youth pilot program. Participation was limited to three counties and required the counties to implement one of three identified intervention service models. The counties were to receive payment equivalent to 69% of the service model cost multiplied by the number of youth served by the program.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to report back to the legislature in June 2006 with recommendations for the cost savings calculation methodology, a funds distribution formula, and criteria for service model eligibility for use if the reinvesting in youth program is continued in future biennia.

Summary of Bill:

Establishment of the Program

The Department of Social and Health Services Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) is required to establish a reinvesting in youth program that awards grants to counties for implementing research-based early intervention services that target juvenile justice-involved youth and reduce crime. The WSIPP and the JRA are required to develop the guidelines for the implementation of the program. In order to participate in the program, counties must meet the following criteria:

(a)  counties must match state moneys awarded for research-based early-intervention services    with non-state resources that are at least proportional to the expected local government       share of state and local government cost avoidance;
(b) counties must demonstrate that state funds allocated pursuant to the program are used only    for the selected research-based services;
(c)  counties must participate fully in the state quality assurance program to ensure fidelity of    program implementation. If no state quality assurance program is in effect for a particular    selected research-based service, the county must submit a quality assurance plan for state    approval with its grant application. Failure to demonstrate continuing compliance with       quality assurance plans shall be grounds for termination of state funding; and
(d) counties that submit joint applications must submit for approval by the JRA multi-county    plans for efficient program delivery.

Pilot Program

A pilot program is created to test methods for reinvestment of state savings that result from local investments in evidence-based services for juvenile justice-involved youth. The pilot program will operate from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007 and is limited to three counties. For the pilot program established during the 2005-2007 biennium, only the following intervention service models shall be considered eligible for reimbursement: (i) functional family therapy, (ii) multi-systemic therapy, and (iii) aggression replacement training.

Payment to the counties in the pilot program will be based on a specified formula.

Expanded Program

Effective July 1, 2007, all counties are eligible to participate in the reinvesting in youth program. In order to receive funding, the program must meet certain criteria. The minimum criteria for the service models that will be eligible for the program are as follows:

(a)   there must be scientific evidence from at least one rigorous evaluation study of the specific    service model that measures recidivism reduction;
(b)   there must be evidence that the specific service model's results can be replicated outside of    an academic research environment;
(c)  the evaluation or evaluations of the service model must permit dollar cost estimates of both    benefits and costs so that the benefit-cost ratio of the model can be calculated; and
(d)   the public taxpayer benefits to all levels of state and local government must exceed the       service model costs.

Beginning in 2006, the WSIPP is required to publish a list of service models that are eligible for reimbursement through the reinvesting in youth program. Every four years the WSIPP is required to update the calculations of savings resulting from implementation of the program and a technical work group will review and comment on the WSIPP findings.

The JRA is required to form a technical advisory group to assist in the implementation of the program. The JRA is required to establish a distribution formula to provide funding to local governments that are implementing the program. The JRA will also report to the Legislature on the initial cost savings calculation methodology and the distribution formula on or before October 1, 2006.

Reinvesting in Youth Account

A Reinvesting in Youth Account is created in the state treasury and moneys in the account may only be spent after appropriation. Expenditures from the fund may be used to reimburse local governments for implementation of the reinvesting in youth program. The JRA will review and monitor expenditures made from this account.

Miscellaneous Provisions

The JRA is required to establish a state quality assurance program and must monitor the implementation of the intervention services.

The bill does not create an entitlement for any county to receive funding under the reinvesting in youth program. If specific funding is not provided for the bill, it becomes null and void.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 2005. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.