| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Early Learning & Children's Services Committee | |
HB 1560
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.
Brief Description: Establishing a pilot program to provide preschool tuition scholarships for children in foster care.
Sponsors: Representatives P. Sullivan, Walsh, Pettigrew, Appleton, Simpson, Kenney, Lantz, Santos and O'Brien.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/13/07
Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).
Background:
Washington state offers two free early learning programs to preschoolers. The Head Start
program serves about 18,000 children ages three to five years from low-income families.
Funding for Head Start is 80 percent federal with a 20 percent local match. Early Childhood
Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is 100 percent state funded and serves a little under
6,000 children per year.
In addition to Head Start and ECEAP, the state provides subsidies to low-income families who
are working, preparing to work, or looking for word. Subsidies are paid directly to providers on
behalf of a qualifying child.
Summary of Bill:
A two-year pilot program to provide 200 preschool tuition scholarships to children in foster care
will be administered by the DSHS and the DEL. Children between the ages of three and five
years who have been in foster care for 60 or more days are eligible to receive a scholarship. The
amount of the scholarship is limited to the difference between the provider's usual and customary
rate and the amount of any Working Connections subsidy or other subsidy for which the child is
otherwise eligible.
The DSHS will select three regional offices representing geographic diversity for
implementation and will consult with the DEL to set criteria for identifying high-quality early
learning programs where the tuition scholarships may be used. Base on the criteria developed
for defining high-quality programs, the DSHS regional offices will consult with the local child
care resource and referral (CCRR) office to identify the community providers where scholarships
may be used. The CCRR will assist foster parents with assessing the type of program
appropriate for the child and with completing the enrollment process.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.