SENATE BILL REPORT

3SHB 2687

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 24, 2010

Ways & Means, March 1, 2010

Title: An act relating to creating the home visiting services account.

Brief Description: Creating the home visiting services account.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Haler, Roberts, Walsh, Goodman, Dickerson, Maxwell, Clibborn, Seaquist, Green, Haigh, Johnson, Kenney, Moeller and Nelson).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/15/10, 89-9.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/22/10, 2/24/10 [DPA-WM, DNP, w/oRec].

Ways & Means: 3/01/10 [w/oRec, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Kauffman, Vice Chair, Early Learning; Oemig, Vice Chair, K-12; Gordon, Hobbs, McDermott and Roach.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Holmquist.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland.

Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Fairley, Hobbs, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Murray, Oemig, Pridemore, Regala and Rockefeller.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Schoesler.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Hewitt, Honeyford and Parlette.

Staff: Michael Bezanson (786-7449)

Background: Home visiting programs deliver services to children and families in the home and aim to alleviate the effects of various risk factors on child development. In 2007 the Legislature directed the Council for Children and Families to develop a plan with the Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Health, and the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to coordinate or consolidate home visitation services.

In 2006 the Legislature created a nongovernmental private-public partnership to focus on supporting the government's investments in early learning and ensuring that every child in the state is prepared to succeed in school and in life. This partnership is known as Thrive by Five Washington (Thrive).

Summary of Bill: Within existing resources, Thrive must develop a framework for home visiting, to include but not be limited to, setting clear goals, outcome measures, and an evaluation process. Existing programs that are funded by the public or private sector must be considered. Thrive must consult with specific experts.

The Home Visiting Services Account (Account) is created in the custody of the State Treasurer. Revenues to the Account must consist of appropriations by the Legislature, not before July 1, 2013, and all other sources. Only the director of DEL or the designee may authorize expenditures, and only after private funds are committed and available.

Expenditures from the Account must be used for state matching funds to implement home visiting services and to administer the infrastructure to develop, support, and evaluate evidence- and research-based promising programs. Activities eligible for funding through the Account include, but are not limited to:

Beginning July 1, 2013, DEL may contract with Thrive to administer programs funded through the Account. DEL must monitor performance and provide periodic reports on use outcomes. Thrive must fund programs through a competitive bid process and convene an advisory committee of early learning and home visiting experts to advise on research and the distribution of funds.

To provide for continuity, the programs currently funded must continue to be funded through June 30, 2015, based on availability of funds and the achievement of stated performance goals. Organizations that may receive program funding include local health departments; nonprofit, neighborhood-based, community, regional, or statewide organizations; and federally recognized Indian tribes.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): Directs Thrive by Five to develop a framework for home visiting, to include but not be limited to, setting clear goals, outcome measures, and an evaluation process. Existing programs that are funded by the public or private sector must be considered. Thrive must consult with specific experts. Clarifies that activities eligible for funding include the development and maintenance of the model-specific infrastructure for home visiting programs. Appropriations by the Legislature to the account must not occur before July 1, 2013. DEL is no longer required to contract with Thrive. DEL may contract with Thrive beginning July 2013 instead of July 2010. Current home visiting programs must be funded through June 30, 2015, instead of June 2012. Changes the title from creating the home visiting services account to home visiting services.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 15, 2010.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Third Substitute House Bill (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: We have done a good job of building home visiting programs and creating a network across the state. However, there has been a cut to home visiting programs. This year we have been trying to figure out a way to expand the voluntary programs we have and were approached by private investors interested in a matching fund. We have other successful models in this state for public-private partnership accounts. This model could strengthen home visiting. It allows us to leverage private dollars with public dollars, and would give us an opportunity to double the number of programs and families served. The cornerstone of early learning is to build on home visiting. First Relationships is a home visiting model, that is effective by getting into the home right after the baby comes home from the hospital. Many of these parents don’t have a role model. Many of the babies would end up in foster care without help. Parents as Teachers would be impacted by account. The program is just hitting the tip of iceberg; the majority of its programs have waiting lists. The families in the Nurse Family Partnership are low income, first-time mothers, whose own lives have not given them good examples for how to be parents. The need is great. Families are facing domestic violence and homelessness. There is a risk to children of young, single moms. If we can support these children early on in their lives we can make a real difference. The outcome of home visiting that is of most interest to law enforcement is the reduction of child abuse and neglect. Children who are abused are far more likely to commit abuse as adults, and the cycle continues. Being abused and neglected sharply increases the risk the child will grow up and be arrested. We need to reach kids before they go to kindergarten. Home visiting programs save money because of reduced crime, higher academic performance, higher graduation rates, and reduced abuse. Home visiting serves parents and children. You can't change child’s life without working with the parents. Long-term outcomes show a decrease in alcohol and substance abuse and criminal activity in both parents and children. Parenting education allows parents to realize goals that they wouldn’t be able to with all the other crises facing them. The development of implementation training is invaluable to implementing evidence-based programs. Use evidence-based models as much as possible. United Way is willing to put its money where its mouth is, and knows early learning will make the difference. Despite the most challenging budget in many years, Thrive by Five looks forward to working with partners to reach as many children and families as possible.

Persons Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; Laura Wells, Shelton Chief Terry Davenport, Centralia Chief Bob Berg, Fight Crime Invest in Kids; Cathy Garland, Children’s Home Society; Kathy Zeisel, Parent’s Trust for Washington’s Children; Linda Clark, Family Education for Support Services; Sandy Long, United Way of Clallum County; Helen Myrick, Connie Ladenburg, United Way of Pierce County; Kelly Phanco, First Five Fundamentals; Lois Schipper, Public Health Seattle King County; Beth Wilson, Tacoma, Pierce County Health Department; Molly Boyajian, Thrive by Five.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): No public hearing was held.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): N/A.