SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1589

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives K. Wilson, Ferguson, Walk, Winsley, Crane, Haugen, Cantwell, Scott, Wineberry and Armstrong)

Establishing plans for treating high-risk youth.

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1988; February 25, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Kiskaddon, Chairman; Bailey, Vice Chairman; Garrett, McDonald, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)

                  February 26, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The statistics on the number of "street kids" in the state vary greatly from less than one thousand to some two to three thousand.  Many of these children are homeless and thus it is difficult to obtain an accurate count. Many of them have been physically or sexually abused in their home or are what the system terms "throwaways," without a home to which to return. Research indicates that the longer a child remains on the streets without intervention, the less likely he or she is to return to the mainstream community, complete school, or find employment.  It is estimated that there are some three hundred thousand of these youth nationally.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services shall develop plans for interconnected intervention services to be offered to high-risk youths.  County and law enforcement officials and the regional planning units of the governor's Juvenile Justice Commission shall assist in preparing the plans. The plans shall also include statistics on the number of high-risk youths in each county, the potential for their success if intervention is provided, the costs of adapting existing facilities or building new facilities as staff-secure residences, and the financial consequences of failing to deal with these youths.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The Department of Social and Health Services shall conduct a pilot project for preventing and treating high risk youth.  The project directs the department to provide the Legislature with a report on the comparative benefit analysis of the methodology currently used in preventing and treating high risk youth; to develop methodologies which include certain services; analyze the option of creating a new dependency category just for high risk youth; to conduct a comparison analysis of costs and success rates; to study other states' experiences and the cost benefits of such a program.  The department must report to the Legislature by December 1, 1989.  $1 million is appropriated to the department to conduct the pilot project.  Of the $1 million, $400,000 is directed to Homebuilders, $400,000 to FRS-Phase II, $100,000 to FRS-Phase I and $100,000 to conduct the study itself.

The department and Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in consultation with local school districts shall identify and develop methods to train school personnel on teen suicide issues.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Karla Wilson, (for); Mauree McKeon, Washington State Code Review Panel (for); Joyce Hopson, DSHS (for); Sylvia McGee (for); Dean Sampson (for); Larry Fehr, Executive Director, Washington Council on Crime and Delinquency (for); Mike Curtis, Juvenile Court Administrators (for); Carol Hasman (for)