HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1120

BYRepresentatives Anderson, Jacobsen, Miller, Leonard, Van Luven, Haugen, Schmidt, Zellinsky, Jones, Rector, O'Brien, P. King, Wood, Dorn, H. Myers and Ferguson

Establishing the early childhood telecommunications project.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Fraser, Heavey, Inslee, Jesernig, H. Myers, Prince, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Early Childhood Telecommunications Project, in the University of Washington's College of Education, offers telecourses throughout the state to parents and child care professionals.  The Project was started in 1985, under a three year grant from the Northwest Area Foundation.

The Project's telecourses cover areas such as positive parenting techniques, how children learn, family home care and other issues.  Recent expansion of programming has led to programs covering adolescent issues, ranging from drug and alcohol abuse to teen pregnancy and suicide.  Future programs will focus on child abuse and neglect.

Due to funding constraints, the Project's staff has been reduced to one part time director.  The University of Washington estimates that a fully staffed project would cost $160,000 per year, or approximately $3.00 per viewer.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED: The University of Washington shall make programs provided by the Early Childhood Telecommunications Project available to all areas of the state.  The University is also directed to prepare and distribute public service announcements on children's issues, using announcements developed in other states, when appropriate.

Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars is appropriated to the University of Washington, for the 1989-91 biennium, to fund the Early Childhood Telecommunication Project in the University's College of Education.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The University of Washington is directed to make the program available throughout the state.  The University is also directed to prepare and distribute public service announcements on children's issues, using announcements developed in other states, when appropriate.

Appropriation:    $320,000 to the University of Washington.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Rep. Calvin Anderson; Marilyn Cohen, Early Childhood Telecommunications Project; Andrea Cornwall, Washington State Family Child Care Association; Don Knapp, Foster Parents Association of Washington State; Carl Fynboe, Washington Federation of Independent Schools; Pam McElmeel, Organization for Parent Education; Ann Simons, National Organization for Women; and Ann Suter, Cablearn.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Telecourses provided by this project are a valuable tool in providing training and support to parents, foster parents, and child care personnel.  The courses are an effective, efficient, and cost-effective method of distributing information, especially to people living in rural areas.  The programs are affordable, available, accessible, and appropriate. They provide education and training in a variety of critical areas for people who cannot commute to a university or college.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.