| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Early Learning & Children's Services Committee | |
HB 1703
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: Creating a domestic violence pilot program to colocate a domestic violence advocate in department of social and health services offices.
Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Walsh, Pettigrew, Haler, Simpson, Hinkle, Hurst, Hunter, Priest, Upthegrove, Roberts, Springer, Pedersen, Hudgins, Morrell, Cody, Dickerson, McIntire, P. Sullivan, Appleton, Roach, Kessler, Darneille, Hasegawa, Moeller, Williams, Conway, Santos, Kenney and Lantz.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/16/07
Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).
Background:
According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, studies show that at least 50 to 60 percent of
women receiving welfare have experienced physical abuse by an intimate partner at some point
during their adult lives, compared to 22 percent of the general population. A significant number
of women receiving welfare also report a history of physical and sexual abuse in childhood. As
many as 30 percent of women on welfare report abuse in a current relationship.
The welfare program in Washington is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
program. TANF provides temporary cash and medical help for families in need. The TANF
program is administered through the Department of Social and Health Services (Department).
Summary of Bill:
Creation of the Pilot
The Department is required to create a pilot program to place a domestic violence advocate and a
specialized domestic violence supervisor in a minimum of two Division of Children and Family
Services (DCFS) offices.
The purpose of the program is to provide domestic violence information and support to adult
victims of domestic violence who are receiving services from the Department and to assist the
DCFS workers to identify and respond effectively to domestic violence in their caseloads.
The sites will be selected by September 2007 through a request for proposal process. The
proposal must require a community-based domestic violence agency to commit to working with
the Department for the purpose of providing domestic violence services to clients seeking TANF
benefits.
Domestic Violence Advocate
The agency selected to work with the Department to provide services must colocate a domestic
violence advocate in the Department office. The advocate is responsible for providing education
and support to Department staff, providing advocacy services to families to assist in linking the
families to community supports, and participating in the Department meetings and case reviews.
Advisory Group
The Department is required to convene an advisory group to provide advice on the implemention
and progress of the pilot program.
Supervision
The Department is required to provide supervision at the program sites. The supervisor must
have experience in domestic violence issues. The supervisor is responsible for the following:
1. Ensuring the domestic violence advocate has support to fulfill their duties;
2. Ensuring the caseworkers receive training in domestic violence issues;
3. Convening case staffings that include the domestic violence advocate;
4. Convening the advisory group; and
5. Providing consultation to the caseworkers.
Program Evaluation
The Department must utilize the services of an evaluator from a University or other organization
who has expertise in evaluating the DCFS and expertise in domestic violence and child
maltreatment issues of children and families.
Beginning in October 2007, the evaluator is required to conduct a preprogram assessment. The
evaluator must assess and compare the program sites to two additional DCFS offices selected as
comparison sites. The comparison sites may not have a domestic violence advocate colocated at
the site.
The evaluator will assess the program to determine the outcomes of the program. The evaluator
is then required to use the results of the evaluation to identify the effectiveness of the program
and to provide recommendations to the Department for improving domestic violence responses
in other DCFS offices.
The evaluator is required to report the findings of the program to the appropriate committees of
the Legislature by December 1, 2010.
Duration of the Pilot Program
The pilot program begins in January 2008 and expires January 1, 2011.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2007.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is
passed.