BILL REQ. #:  S-3966.1 

Read first time 01/20/10.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to eligibility requirements for the early childhood education and assistance program; and amending RCW 43.215.405.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.215.405 and 2006 c 265 s 210 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450 and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903.
     (1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee under RCW 43.215.420.
     (2) "Department" means the department of early learning.
     (3) "Eligible child" means a child not eligible for kindergarten whose family income is at or below one hundred ten percent of the federal poverty level, as published annually by the federal department of health and human services, and includes a child whose family is eligible for public assistance, and who is not a participant in a federal or state program providing comprehensive services; a child with disabilities who qualifies for funds in accordance with part B of the federal individuals with disabilities education act and any other federal or state laws relating to the provision of special education services; and may include children who are eligible under rules adopted by the department if the number of such children equals not more than ten percent of the total enrollment in the early childhood program. Priority for enrollment shall be given to children from families with the lowest income, children in foster care, or to eligible children from families with multiple needs.
     (4) "Approved programs" means those state-supported education and special assistance programs which are recognized by the department as meeting the minimum program rules adopted by the department to qualify under RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450 and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903 and are designated as eligible for funding by the department under RCW 43.215.430 and 43.215.440.
     (5) "Comprehensive" means an assistance program that focuses on the needs of the child and includes education, health, and family support services.
     (6) "Family support services" means providing opportunities for parents to:
     (a) Actively participate in their child's early childhood program;
     (b) Increase their knowledge of child development and parenting skills;
     (c) Further their education and training;
     (d) Increase their ability to use needed services in the community;
     (e) Increase their self-reliance.