HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3269
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Early Learning & Children's Services
Title: An act relating to the roving early intervention specialist pilot program.
Brief Description: Creating a roving early intervention specialist pilot program.
Sponsors: Representatives Roach, Haler, Williams, Campbell, Rodne and Ross.
Brief History:
Early Learning & Children's Services: 2/5/08 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Roberts, Vice Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Goodman, Hinkle and Pettigrew.
Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).
Background:
The Department of Early Learning (DEL) has responsibility for implementing state early
learning policy and coordinating, consolidating, and integrating child care and early learning
programs in order to administer programs and funds efficiently.
The Legislature in 2007 appropriated a total of $500,000 to the DEL for child care
consultation services, $250,000 in each of the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years. In November 2007
the DEL issued a request for proposal for child care consultation services to be provided in
10 pilot communities. In January 2008 the selected providers began offering consultation
services in the three DEL service regions.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
Subject to the availability of funds, the DEL must administer the Roving Early Intervention
Specialist Pilot Program (Program) beginning July 1, 2008. The purpose of the Program is to
provide assistance to licensed child care providers and families in Pierce County with
children ages birth to 5 years with special needs.
One roving early intervention specialist must be housed at the local Child Care Resource and
Referral Office in Pierce County. The specialist must, at a minimum, have a Bachelor of Arts
degree, preferably in child and family counseling or early intervention services. The
specialist must:
(1) assist families in finding child care and other related services;
(2) coordinate with families and child care providers to ensure a child's enrollment and
smooth transition into a child care facility;
(3) recruit child care providers and provide professional and technical assistance to licensed
child care providers; and
(4) encourage child care providers not to expel a child with special needs until the specialist
has had the opportunity to ameliorate concerns.
Professional and technical assistance will include site visits to assist with the providers'
challenges and to provide training to workers.
By August 1, 2009, the DEL must report findings to the Governor and the appropriate
education and fiscal committees of the Legislature. The DEL must report on the following
elements of the Program:
(1) how often providers received timely consulting and evaluation assistance;
(2) how many children who might have been asked to leave a child care facility were retained
due to the intervention of the specialist; and
(3) how many providers reported improvement with children's learning progress and
readiness.
The DEL also must include recommendations for increasing the number of roving early
intervention specialists to serve statewide.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill adds the duty to recruit child care providers to the duties of the roving
early intervention specialist.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is an attempt to deal with some of the issues surrounding autism. Pierce
County is experiencing an increase in calls from parents seeking child care for children with
special needs. Some the these children are foster children as well. Families of children with
special needs report that child care providers don't accept these children into care because the
providers do not have the skills or resources necessary to meet the children's needs.
Enhanced child care services would improve this situation for families. Parents in Pierce
County struggle to find any facility where a child with special needs can be served. If child
care providers knew they had the benefit of consultation with a specialist, they would be
more willing to take these children into care.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Roach, prime sponsor; Diana Stadden, Autism Society of Washington; and Helen Myrick, Pierce County Early Learning Consortum.