SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6448

BYSenators Talmadge and Wojahn

Expanding the homebuilders program for children and families.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6448 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

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

Senate Staff:Carol Pedigo (786-7417)

                  February 4, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1988

Senate Staff:Randy Hodgins (786-7715)

                  February 4, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Homebuilders is a nationally acclaimed program and has become a model for similar programs around the country.  Homebuilders staff persons are highly trained counselors who go into dysfunctional homes and through intensive family therapy teach family members new ways to respond to situations which previously had caused them to request out-of-home placement for a member of their family.

Each staff person works with only two families at a time on a six week contract.  The counselors are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The intensive and highly individualized process of counseling has proved to be highly successful.  In 1987, 97 percent of the children exposed to Homebuilders were still with their families three months after their involvement with the program and the rate remained at 87 percent after a year. 

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is directed to expand its existing Homebuilders program in Spokane County, and to start new programs in Kitsap and Whitman Counties by July 1, 1988.  Beginning January 1, 1989, the program is to be created in Thurston, Skagit and Yakima Counties.

Program eligibility is determined by the assessment of DSHS, Homebuilders staff and the family.  To be eligible, the child must be in imminent danger of long-term, out of home, DSHS-funded placement.

Services are to be provided in the home, school or other natural environment of the family.  Services shall begin within 24 hours of referral and staff is to be available to the family 24 hours per day, seven days per week, including holidays.  Services are to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the area being served.

A service plan shall be developed for each client delineating the client's problems, how the problems are to be addressed, and how measurement of the problem resolution will be obtained.

A written record of services to the client must be kept.

$650,000 is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989 from the general fund to DSHS, Division of Children and Family Services for this program.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Only technical changes were made to the bill.

Appropriation:    $650,000

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES:  Gail Toraason, Homebuilders (for); Shelly Levitt, Director of Training, Homebuilders (for); Katharine Briar, Assistant Secretary, Division of Children and Family Services, DSHS (for)