BILL REQ. #:  S-4397.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to connecting children involved in the child welfare system to quality early care and education programming; amending RCW 43.215.405; and adding a new section to chapter 26.44 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 26.44 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The family assessment response worker shall assess for child safety and child well-being when collaborating with a family to determine the need for child care, preschool, or home visiting services.
     (2) Effective July 1, 2015, the family assessment response worker may only refer children to preschool programs that are enrolled in the early achievers program and rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 unless one of the following conditions applies:
     (a) The family lives in an area with no local preschool programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program;
     (b) The local preschool programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program are not able to meet the needs of the child; or
     (c) The child is attending a preschool program prior to the family assessment response case and the parent or caregiver does not want the child to change preschool programs.
     (3) Effective July 1, 2019, the family assessment response worker shall only make child care referrals for nonschool-aged children to licensed child care programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program described in RCW 43.215.100 unless one of the following conditions applies:
     (a) The family lives in an area with no local programs that rate at level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program;
     (b) The local child care programs that rate at a level 3, 4, or 5 in the early achievers program are not able to meet the needs of the child; or
     (c) The child is attending a child care program prior to the family assessment response case and the parent or caregiver does not want the child to change child care programs.
     (4) The family assessment response worker shall make every effort to provide referrals to high quality child care and early learning programs.
     (5) The family assessment response worker shall make every effort to provide referrals to state and federally subsidized programs such as, but not limited to, licensed child care programs that receive state subsidy pursuant to RCW 43.215.135; early childhood education and assistance programs; head start programs; and early head start programs.
     (6)(a) At least fifteen days prior to closing the family assessment response case, the family assessment worker shall meet with the child's parent or caregiver to discuss child care and early learning services. If the family plans to use child care or early learning services, the family assessment worker shall work with the family to facilitate successful enrollment.
     (b) The family assessment worker shall document if the family elects to use child care and early learning services.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.215.405 and 2013 2nd sp.s. c 16 s 4 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, 43.215.455, 43.215.456,)) 43.215.457((,)) and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903.
     (1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee under RCW 43.215.420.
     (2) "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.
     (3) "Comprehensive" means an assistance program that focuses on the needs of the child and includes education, health, and family support services.
     (4) "Department" means the department of early learning.
     (5) "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; children involved in the child welfare system are eligible; a child who is eligible for special education due to disability under RCW 28A.155.020; 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)) involved in the child welfare system, or to eligible children from families with multiple needs.
     (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.