SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1160

BYHouse Committee on Human Services/Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Leonard, Miller, Cole, Holland, Belcher, Winsley, Prentice, Wang, Valle, Pruitt, Sprenkle, Basich, Rasmussen, Nelson, Rust, Jones, Wineberry, Dorn, Bristow, Cantwell, Ebersole, Brooks, Scott, Hine, Moyer, Brekke, Jacobsen, R. King, Kremen, Todd, G. Fisher, Doty, P. King, O'Brien, Locke, Phillips, Crane and Fraser)

Dealing with community-based family support centers.

House Committe on Human Services

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 29, 1989

Senate Staff:Jennifer Strus (786-7472)

AS OF MARCH 29, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Early intervention and prevention programs have proved to be a cost- effective method of assisting families and children.  In 1985, the state of Maryland began a program of Family Support Centers and currently has eight community-based and operated centers.  Located in neighborhoods, the centers offer easy access to young parents especially those who might not turn to more formalized institutions.

A two-year evaluation of the Maryland Family Support Centers indicates that the centers are very successful particularly in dramatically reducing the rate of repeat pregnancies among adolescents from approximately 30 percent to 9.5 percent.  Eleven percent of the teenaged mothers were employed when they became part of the program.  After six months the number had doubled and by the end of 12 months, 31 percent were employed.  No out-of-home placements have occurred among the children of clients of the program.  Within six months of involvement with the program, 50 percent of the adolescent mothers were enrolled in school or training.  Within one year, 80 percent of the adolescent mothers were enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect shall contract for the operation of up to 10 community-based family support center programs.

Applicants for a contract shall be community interagency teams of at least two private nonprofit or public agencies who are currently providing at least one of the required services.

The program shall operate in an easily accessible location in the community.  A marketing plan will be developed to ensure program usage by the community.  Child care and transportation services to ensure access to the center and services that provide support to families are included in the program.  Some of the support services that may be provided are parenting education, information and referral to other services in the community, counseling, health and nutrition education, and child development assessments.

The council shall provide technical assistance relating to the design and implementation of the centers.

Appropriation:    $500,000 to the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available