Title: An act relating to investments in cost-effective intervention programs for juvenile justice-involved youth.

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

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Esser, Prentice, Stevens, Thibaudeau, Rasmussen and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 2/3/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: Washington State has a variety of cost effective programs available to families and youth which have been proven to reduce violence and crime. Through rigorous testing it has been determined that many of these programs save more public safety dollars than they cost. However, a significant portion of the financial benefit of the cost savings often goes to state government. There are few financial incentives for local governments to invest in programs proven to reduce violence or crime.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) will establish a reinvesting in youth program to award grants to counties for implementing programs to reduce crime. The programs must target youth already involved with the juvenile justice system.

A pilot program will be established to run from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007. For this pilot program only functional family therapy, multi-systemic therapy and aggression replacement training will be eligible for reimbursement. Three counties or groups of counties may be eligible to apply for participation in this pilot. After July 1, 2007, all counties will be eligible to apply for participation.

Criteria for funding is described. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) will update the list of service models eligible for reimbursement every two years, beginning in 2006.
Representatives from the legislature, state agencies, the courts and counties will comprise a technical working group and be able to comment on the WSIPP preliminary findings and savings calculated to state and local governments. Savings calculations will be updated every four years. Criteria for reimbursements to counties are described. CTED will update the factors that impact reimbursement every four years beginning in 2006 with comments from the technical working group. CTED and WSIPP will develop guidelines for selecting counties to receive reinvesting in youth funds. The bill sets minimum criteria for county participation, and the program does not create an entitlement for counties or groups of counties to receive funding.

CTED will contract with the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) to monitor intervention programs reimbursed under this act for quality assurance and adherence to program design.

WSIPP will report the estimated costs and benefits from the reinvesting in youth program on December 1, 2007 and every four years thereafter.

The amount of $997,000 is transferred from the general fund into the newly created reinvesting in youth account in the state treasury for the biennium beginning July 1, 2005. CTED will review and monitor expenditures made from this account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2005.

Testimony For: This is a smart way to invest in our youth. We need to encourage local communities to invest in programs which prevent juvenile crime. There isn't enough funding to provide services for youth in need. Superior Court Judges support this bill. We should invest in programs that save us more money than they cost. Savings typically accrue to more than one level of government. These programs really make a difference to the families in need. Adhering to program design is critical. This bill complements what the Family Policy Council and Community Networks are already doing.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Bruce Knutson, WA State Juvenile Court Administrators; Jim Street, Director, Reinvesting in Youth; Shannon Armitage; Trish McNabb, Eastside King Co. Community Networks; Ed Sterner, King County Networks.