HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2366

BYRepresentatives Spanel, Peery, Walker, Brekke, Leonard, Pruitt, Prentice, Rasmussen, R. Meyers, P. King, Rector, Winsley and May

Establishing the parent as first teacher program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Cole, Dorn, Furhman, Holland, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

As we demand better preparation for children before they reach schools, it is important that parents have sound information on child growth and development.  Often parents feel they know more about a new car they purchased than they know about growth and development of the child they bring home.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Parents as First Teacher Grant Program is created.  The program is placed in the Department of Community Development.  The department shall fund five grant programs to provide infant developmental screening, parent information for first time parents and provide activities and information to enable parents to work with their children at home.  The program is concerned with children from birth to age three.

Two grant programs shall be located in urban areas.  Two additional programs shall be located in rural areas.  The fifth grant shall provide a program for non-English speaking parents.  The programs may run for up to 36 months and an evaluation of the program shall be given to the Legislature by December 15, 1991.

The Department of Community Development may contact with governmental or nongovernmental, nonprofit, nonsectarian agencies or organizations to provide the services.  Rules shall be established by September 1, 1990 for award of the grants.  Agencies or organizations seeking the grants shall provide matching funds of 25 percent of the funding.  No more than 5 percent of the matching funds may be in- kind services.

If specific funding is not provided for this program the program shall not be implemented.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The grant program is moved from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Department of Community Development. The number of programs is reduced from 20 to five and specifications are made on the location or type of population to be served.  The requirement of local matching funds is added.  The appropriation is removed and implementation is conditioned on funding being provided for this program in the appropriations act.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 10, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Harriet Spanel; Joan Garden and Donna Shy, Parent Teacher Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is important that we give children the very best opportunity in their early years.  This bill is aimed at prevention by providing first time parents with information on child growth, development and learning.  This program was developed in the state of Missouri and has proved an effective means of enabling parents to be the most effective teacher for their child.  It also provides for the early identification of children who may need additional support.  Evaluation of the program has shown a significant difference in the language, intelligence and mental health of children who have participated in the program as compared to children who did not participate in the program.  Such a program may be run through the schools or through a variety of agencies.  This program is a good, efficient use of resources and recognizes the important role that parents pay in the lives of their children.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.