BILL REQ. #:  S-3295.3 

Read first time 01/20/10.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to developing a curriculum for a career track for home care aides; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there is a need to create career pathways in health care professions to prepare Washington state to emerge strong from the economic downturn. The legislature further finds that certified home care aides are a valuable potential source of advanced degree health care workers who will be needed to meet the health care needs of Washington state. In addition, the legislature finds that health care occupations, such as home care aides and registered nurses, will be among the fastest growing occupations over the next decade despite the recession and rising unemployment. Despite these findings, the legislature recognizes that entry-level, long-term jobs often have little room for advancement. The legislature intends to provide additional career advancement training opportunities for home care aides through partnerships between the community college system, federal agencies, local governments, private foundations, and labor-management organizations to promote the development of these career pathways.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) To the extent that funds are specifically appropriated for this purpose, by June 1, 2011, the state board for community and technical colleges, in consultation with the training partnership established in RCW 74.39A.360, shall solicit proposals from community and technical colleges to develop and adapt curriculum for up to three existing degree and certificate programs in health care, social services, and special education to be used as part of a career track for incumbent home care aides.
     (2) The curriculum development and adaptation shall include integrated credit for prior learning in basic and advanced home care aide training, delivered under RCW 74.39A.073 or 74.39A.350, and shall also integrate best practices for working adults. The colleges shall solicit input from health care, social service, and special education labor-management partnerships, and centers of excellence, throughout the curriculum development and adaptation process.
     (3) Curriculum developed or adapted pursuant to this section shall be made available for replication across the state and shall be posted on the appropriate center of excellence web sites.