SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1676

BYHouse Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Hine, Lewis, Pruitt, R. King, Brekke, Lux, Fisher, Rasmussen, Cooper, Anderson, P. King and Todd)

Revising provisions relating to community action agencies.

House Committe on Human Services

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Prior to 1981, federal grants for services to low-income, elderly and disabled people went directly to community action agencies, defined under federal law, to provide locally determined services.  After 1981, the anti- poverty funds were distributed by use of community service block grants to the states.  Federal block grants represent discretionary money that enables community action agencies to identify community needs and provide services not available under other federal or state programs.  Like most states, Washington continues to utilize community action agencies to implement anti-poverty programs, such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Community Service Block Grants, the Community Food Nutrition Program (commodity foods), and substance abuse programs among numerous other programs.

There is no statutory recognition of the role of community action agencies which are operating in the state, nor a statutory determination of how or by whom federal community service block grant funds should be disbursed.

SUMMARY:

The community action agency network is recognized as a delivery system for federal and state anti-poverty programs in the state.  Local community action agencies, and their service areas, shall be designated in the state/federal community service block grant plan, developed by the Department of Community Development.

A community action agency is defined as an office of either a political subdivision of the state, or a local organization qualifying under federal law as non-profit.  Each must have a board of between 9 and 33 members, with one-third being public officials; one-third representing the poor; and the remainder from the community at large.

The powers of the private nonprofit governing board include the appointment of the executive director; approval of the budget; contracting and operational affairs; and program evaluation and audit.

If a community action agency is administered by a political subdivision of the state, which is currently done in three counties in Washington, the Community Action Board for that agency must be accountable to the governing board of the subdivision.  The board must make recommendations to the governing board and assume responsibility for review and consultation on development of program policy; consult on the appointment of the director; monitor and evaluate programs; provide an accounting system, and and provide assurances against discrimination.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Leonard; Rick Allen, Pres. Washington State Association of Community Action Agencies