SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6467

BYSenators Kreidler, Kiskaddon, Bailey and Stratton

Revising provisions for the office of the child care resources coordinator.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1988; February 3, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)

                  February 3, 1988

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

BACKGROUND:

In 1987 the Legislature passed ESSB 6013 which created a new section requiring the Department of Social and Health Services to appoint a child care resources coordinator.  The coordinator is responsible for administering grants to local communities for use in information and referral systems, and for the creation of a data bank from which local systems can obtain data about licensed day care.  In implementing this bill, it was discovered that the bill was somewhat unclear regarding the extent of the local communities' involvement.

Although the Department receives a small amount of federal funds for resource and referral programs, such funds can only be used for planning, not operations.

SUMMARY:

The office of child care resources coordinator operates under the authority of the Department of Social and Health Services.

The amendments clearly specify a local community based approach to building a network of resource and referral programs and clearly state what role the local agencies can play in providing the resource and referral systems.

The local resource and referral systems are to be organized with a state-wide network and the coordinator will provide staff support and technical assistance to the network.

$45,500 is appropriated from the state general fund to the Department for start-up grants for operating costs.

The expiration date for Section 1 of this act is extended from June 30, 1989 to June 30, 1990.

Appropriation:    $45,500 - general fund

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested January 19, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Pat Thibaudeau, Washington Women United (for); Mike von Rodgers, Child Care Action Council (for); Cathie DeWeese-Parkinson, Clark County Child Care Coalition (for); Margie Reeves, Child Care Action Council of Thurston County (for); John Briehl, City of Tacoma (for)