SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6115

BYSenate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Kiskaddon and Saling)

Providing for programs to enhance parenting skills and strengthen families.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1988; January 26, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6115 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  March 7, 1988

House Committe on Human Services

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Studies have shown that persons who abuse or neglect their children often were abused or neglected themselves.  It has also been shown that many persons convicted of crimes were the victims of child abuse.  Many people believe placing emphasis on parenting education will cause a reduction in child abuse and, in turn, reduce inappropriate behavior when those children become adults.  This would, of course, have long term beneficial results for society.

Proponents also believe positive discipline skills can be taught to parents so they are able to deal with their children in an atmosphere fostering dignity and respect and where closeness and trust among family members encourages family unity.

There is an urgent need for educational brochures on parenting in the Spanish language.  The Department of Social and Health Services has expressed the desire to receive funds to finance the printing and disbursement of their brochure, "Your Baby, Awake, Asleep and Crying".

SUMMARY:

Funding is provided to the Washington State Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect for voluntary parenting skills and family support programs in three geographically balanced areas around the state.  The voluntary programs are to be designed to serve expectant parents and families with children just born through three years of age.  The programs are to be modeled after the successful programs funded in the past by the Council.

The program funding is to be on a two year gradually reducing basis, so that after two years, the community in which the project exists will take over responsibility for funding.  If the project includes an evaluation component, the project can be considered for a third year of funding.  Programs in economically distressed areas may qualify for continued funding if funds are appropriated.

Language is added to the statutes on the Governor's Commission on Children giving the Council the authority to include parenting education programs in their study on a data based clearinghouse.

$4,000 is allocated to the Department of Social and Health Services to publish and distribute a brochure on parenting education in the Spanish language.

$45,000 is appropriated to the Council to fund the parenting programs for fiscal year 1988.  Not more than 10 percent of this money is to be spent by the Council for administration cost.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Appropriation:    $49,000, state general fund

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Kip Tokuda, Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; Mary Ellen O'Keefe, Program for Early Parenting Education; Drew Betz, Family Friends, Washington Association of Child Abuse Councils; Katharine Briar, DSHS, Division of Children and Family Services

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Funding for the three parenting education programs is deleted.  All mention of the translation of the parenting brochure into the Spanish language is deleted.