BILL REQ. #:  H-2143.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to promoting continuity of care for children enrolled in early learning and care programs receiving working connections child care subsidies; adding a new section to chapter 43.215 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that continuity of care in children's early learning and preschool environments promotes the positive attachments and nurturing relationships children need for healthy development across multiple domains. The legislature also finds that the primary mechanisms through which children acquire school readiness skills are the social relationships children form with their caregivers. The legislature further finds that when subsidized child care systems are structured to promote continuity of care for children, low-income parents are also supported in their efforts to achieve goals relating to education, employment, self-sufficiency, and asset building. Supporting parents in these efforts can improve the family's well-being and reduce reliance on public supports. The legislature also finds that children of all ages in substitute care, including school-age programs, benefit from the continuity of positive relationships with their caregivers. The legislature intends to direct the development for a plan to reform components of Washington's subsidized child care system in order to implement a system of subsidized child care that promotes continuity of care for children and that is aligned with the state's philosophy and goals regarding early learning and school-age programs; is affordable for parents needing financial assistance; and is uncomplicated and predictable for providers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.215 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department of early learning, jointly with the economic services administration of the department of social and health services, shall collaborate with stakeholders from early learning and school-age programs serving families receiving working connections child care subsidies and prepare a plan to implement the policies in this section for administering the working connections child care program. Policies for the expenditure of funds constituting the working connections child care program also shall be consistent with the outcome measures defined in RCW 74.08A.410. The implementation plan shall include recommendations for a reasonable and cost-efficient method of phasing in the following policies:
     (a) Eligibility determinations and authorizations for working connections subsidies shall be effective for twelve months unless a parent or caregiver reports a change in circumstances necessitating reauthorization prior to the end of the twelve-month period. This requirement may include a mid-year review of eligibility consistent with the administration of public assistance programs.
     (b) The maximum amount of the working connections monthly parent copay for all children combined in the parent's household shall be not more than ten percent of the household's monthly gross income.
     (c) The number of child absence days for which a provider is eligible to receive a working connections subsidy for a child's care shall be not fewer than ten days each month.
     (2) The department of early learning and the department of social and health services shall brief the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 31, 2009, and shall include recommendations for a process of coordination and regular communication between the department of early learning and the department of social and health services to promote the alignment of the administration of the working connections child care program with the state's philosophy and goals relating to early learning and school-age child care.