2SHB 3168

SENATE BILL REPORT
2SHB 3168

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 Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 25, 2008
Ways & Means, March 03, 2008

Title: An act relating to the creation of the Washington head start program.

Brief Description: Regarding the creation of the Washington head start program.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Goodman, Kagi, Walsh, Haler, Roberts, Pettigrew, Hinkle, Sullivan, Kessler, Green, Hudgins, Darneille, McIntire, Liias, Kelley, Kenney, Hankins, Nelson, Santos and Ormsby).

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/20/08, 2/25/08 [DPA-WM, DNP, w/oRec].

Majority Report: Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Tom, Vice Chair; Eide, Hobbs, Kauffman, Oemig, Rasmussen and Weinstein.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators King, Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist and Zarelli.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Brandland and McDermott.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller and Tom.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Parlette and Schoesler.

Background: Created in 1965, Head Start is a federal program that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income three- and four-year old children and their families. Eighty percent of Head Start funding is federal and 20 percent is a required local match. In fiscal year (FY) 2008, there are 9,513 Head Start slots in Washington at an average cost of $8,677 per child. The Early Head Start Program is designed to provide the same comprehensive services to pregnant women and families with children from birth to three. The federal government administers the head start and early head start programs, and directly contracts with providers. The state is not involved in administration.

In 1985 Washington created the state-funded Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), a comprehensive whole child, family-focused preschool program designed to help low-income and at-risk three- and four-year olds and their families succeed in school and life. The program was modeled after Head Start. In FY 2008 there are 7,081 slots funded at $6,543 per child. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) administers the ECEAP, and directly contracts with service providers. The federal government is not involved in administration.

In 2006 the Legislature created DEL as an executive branch agency. The primary duties of DEL are to implement early learning policy and to coordinate, consolidate, and integrate child care and early learning programs in order to administer programs and funds efficiently.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Within existing funds, DEL must develop a proposal for implementing a statewide Washington Head Start Program. DEL 's proposal must identify federal Head Start guidelines, performance measures and standards and other requirements needing state flexibility; provide comparative data on Head Start and ECEAP; determine alignment between Head Start standards and the Washington Learns recommendations; identify additional resources needed to meet federal guidelines and standards; identify Washington ECEAP statutes that need changed to implement a Washington Head Start Program; identify current ECEAP providers that do and do not offer full day, full-year services, and the transition steps needed for these programs to operate in the same manner as federal head start programs; provide steps for phasing in the Washington Head Start proposal; include a timeline, strategy, and needed funds to implement a statewide, state-supported early head start program as a component of the Washington head start proposal. DEL must work with the regional Head Start office to identify any waivers needed to provide flexibility for the Washington Head Start Program. DEL must seek training or technical assistance from the regional Head Start Office. DEL must also consult with ECEAP providers on Indian reservations, tribal governments operating Head Start programs in Washington, and providers operating migrant and seasonal Head Start programs. DEL must make recommendations on how to periodically review the standards and guidelines of the Washington Head Start Program and how to incorporate the latest research on early childhood development. DEL must deliver its report to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2009.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Modifies the intent language. Directs DEL to develop the Washington State Head Start proposal within existing funds. Adjusts the report due date from December 1, 2008 to December 1, 2009.

Removes requirement to identify and report on the implementation of state-supported pilot programs modeled after the federal Early Head Start program. Makes other technical changes.
A null and void clause is included.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Removes the intent language that sets a goal to establish the Washington Head Start Program by 2010. Changes the "plan" to a "proposal." Requires DEL to provide comparative data on Head Start and ECEAP, determine alignment between Head Start standards and the Washington Learns recommendations, and provide steps for phasing in a Washington Head Start program.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Second Substitute Bill (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Research shows that when low-income children don't participate in high-quality preschool, they are more likely to commit crimes. Head Start demonstrates really strong results; these children are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to end up in the criminal justice system. ECEAP is an unwieldy acronym; there will be better public awareness with a Washington Head Start program, which will have two streams of funding, but the same standards and services. This program will allow the state flexibility. ECEAP is a really good program but could be better. The hours need to increase so that staff has more opportunity to work on skills. Head Start serves children with disabilities and provides a larger range of services. However, it is a challenge to meet the local Head Start match, and this would allow ECEAP funding as a match. Currently, dual providers have two very different data collection and monitoring systems.

Persons Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Representative Goodman, prime sponsor; Laura Wells, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Richard Lathim, Franklin County Sheriff; Joel Ryan, Janet Anderson, Stephanie Tinsely, Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on EDU Recommended Amendments (Ways & Means): PRO: We support the House level of funding for this bill, as technical assistance has been offered by staff in Oregon State and Region 10 of the Federal Administration for Children and Families. The same children are served by ECEAP and Head Start, but it's a flip of the coin as to which program they enter. Aligning the programs would increase the service hours provided for kids.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington State Headstart, ECEAP Association.