BILL REQ. #:  S-1428.2 

Read first time 02/22/2005.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     WHEREAS, The legislature recognizes the need to have adequately trained and capable caseworkers to assess cases involving child abuse and neglect, especially where there is potential for serious injury or death of a child;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a committee be created to explore best practices for the Department of Social and Health Services Children's Administration caseworkers and supervisors of caseworkers addressing child abuse and neglect. The committee shall be staffed by the Washington Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and shall include one representative from each of the following groups: Children's Administration headquarters management, Children's Administration accredited field office management, child protective services caseworkers, child welfare caseworkers, Washington Federation of State Employees, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Department of Health, Office of Family and Children's Ombudsman, Office of the Attorney General, Office of Public Defense, Prosecutors, and Superior Court Judges; and four members of the legislature, including two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, one of the majority party and one of the minority party, and two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, including one of the majority party and one of the minority party. A legislator shall serve as chair of the committee.
     The committee shall review all aspects of the current Children's Administration caseworker training academy curriculum on child abuse and neglect, as well as caseworker supervisor training. The committee shall review best practices for caseworker and supervisor training as identified by the Council on Accreditation. The committee shall review all child fatality review team reports and recommendations published by the Department of Social and Health Services since January 1, 2000. The committee shall consult with experts in child abuse and neglect as needed to develop recommendations; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee begin meeting in July 2005 and submit a final report with recommendations to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Department of Social and Health Services, by September 30, 2006.