HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1934

BYRepresentatives Leonard, Grant, Rayburn, Cole, Wineberry, Nutley, Anderson, Jesernig, Jacobsen and Unsoeld

Establishing a pilot day care project for migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Anderson, Leonard, Moyer, Padden, H. Sommers and Sutherland.

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Agriculture is the largest industry in Washington which is fourth among the states in the numbers of migratory and seasonal workers. A significant percentage are Hispanic.  There are an estimated 66,000 farm workers at peak harvest, with 60,000 living at or below the poverty level.  This population is generally characterized by high infant mortality, poor health and nutrition, lower life-spans, and the pattern of their existence involves frequent travel, isolation, long-working hours and on- going stress.  Most seasonal farm workers in Washington have little formal education and English language skills.  An estimated eighty-one percent of Hispanic farm workers have less than a twelfth grade education, and sixty percent have less than a ninth grade education.

SUMMARY:

There is a legislative declaration that a quality child care and early childhood education program for migrant and seasonal farm worker families can be developed by a partnership of resources by business, government, community groups and education.

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to conduct a pilot day care project in the Prescott area through a contract with a private non-profit organization. The project is to develop and implement a comprehensive educational day care program through cooperative efforts.  A report is to be submitted to the governor and legislature.

The project specifies a number of services to be included, such as child protective services, education programs, development of social skills, home health, nutrition and positive self-esteem.

An appropriation of $160,000 is made for the remainder of the biennium, and the act expires June 30, 1989.

Appropriation:    $160,000.00

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Karen Tvedt, Department of Social and Health Services; Mary Frost, Department of Community Development; Margie Reeves, Washington Association for the Education of Young Children; and Phyllis Kenney, Washington Human Development.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The purpose of this bill is to utilize multi-funding sources to develop and provide a pilot education day care program for children of migrant workers.  This will enhance the development of a severly neglected segment of our population, both educationally and socially.  Nutrition and health care are components as well.  Ninety-two percent of this population does not receive public assistance.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.