SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6117

BYSenator Kiskaddon

Creating a pilot program of volunteer support for families with a developmentally disabled child.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1988

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

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

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  January 21, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1988; February 5, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Deccio, Fleming, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Saling, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7438)

                  February 16, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Families who care for their developmentally disabled children at home are often under a great deal of stress due to the intense nature of the care required by these children.  There is an unmet need for respite providers for many of the families.  Proponents of this bill believe that families, friends and community members would be willing to assist families voluntarily with a developmentally disabled member if there were a program in place which would provide the proper training for services required by the individual child. 

The proponents also believe that support, training and advice on how to make life more pleasant for developmentally disabled persons and their families can best be provided by people who have experienced similar problems.

SUMMARY:

The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council is to develop a pilot project in two locations in Washington.  In each location, coordinators are to assist families with a developmentally disabled member locate volunteers who are willing to provide respite care for the individual child and to train these volunteers.

Additionally, families who have experience in dealing with a developmentally disabled child are to be matched with parents of a newly diagnosed developmentally disabled child so that knowledge about the child's and family's needs can be provided.

The pilot projects are to be planned by the council prior to the 1988 fiscal year and are to be carried out during that year.  A report on the project is to be made to the Legislature by January 1, 1990.

Appropriation:    $175,000 state general fund

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

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

Senate Committee - Testified: CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES:  Joan Martin, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (for); Jeff Larsen, Washington Assembly for Citizens with Disabilities (for); Marjorie Griffith, citizen (for)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Sharon Hansen, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (for)