BILL REQ. #:  S-1488.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/16/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to family reconciliation services; and amending RCW 13.32A.040.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 13.32A.040 and 2000 c 123 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Families who are in conflict or who are experiencing problems with at-risk youth or a child who may be in need of services may request family reconciliation services from the department. Certificated employees as defined in RCW 28A.150.060 who believe a student may be an at-risk youth or a child in need of services may refer the family to the department for access to family reconciliation services. The department may involve a local multidisciplinary team in its response in determining the services to be provided and in providing those services. Such services shall be provided to alleviate personal or family situations which present a serious and imminent threat to the health or stability of the child or family and to maintain families intact wherever possible. Family reconciliation services shall be designed to develop skills and supports within families to resolve problems related to at-risk youth, children in need of services, or family conflicts. These services may include but are not limited to referral to services for suicide prevention, psychiatric or other medical care, or psychological, mental health, drug or alcohol treatment, welfare, legal, educational, or other social services, as appropriate to the needs of the child and the family, and training in parenting, conflict management, and dispute resolution skills.
     Local school districts may provide a list of community resources compiled by the department of social and health services, the office of superintendent of public instruction, and the family policy council to certificated employees for distribution to families.