SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 2359

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Valle, Peery, Betrozoff, Holland, Leonard, Rector, Jacobsen, Wineberry, Winsley, Wang, Miller and Van Luven; by request of  Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Creating the homeless education grant program.

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990; February 22, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Fleming, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Mosborg (786-7439)

                  February 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

There is a growing number of homeless families in Washington.  Once homes have been lost, temporary places of residence may include automobiles, shelters, staying with family or friends, or short-term housing.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction's Office estimates that between July 1, 1988, and June 30, 1989, 46,000 school-aged children were homeless at one time or another.  The office also estimates that 40 percent (18,400) of these children did not attend school while they were homeless.

Efforts to enroll homeless children in schools may be frustrated by an assortment of barriers, including a lack of transportation to school and the loss or unavailability of prior school and health records.  In addition, the disruption caused by being homeless often may require that parents focus on more pressing needs, and not on their children's education.

SUMMARY:

The Homeless Education Grant Program is created within the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI).

Grants will be awarded to joint efforts of a school district and at least one shelter for homeless families.  Grant applications shall address staffing, transfer of records, transportation, individual student assessment, and individual instruction or assistance.  Applications must be submitted by June 30, 1990, and funds must be awarded by SPI no later than August 31, 1990.  At least five grants will be awarded.

The SPI must monitor the progress of students who participate in the program, and prepare a report to the Legislature by September 1, 1991, on the approaches and effectiveness of the projects funded by the program.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The school district is designated as the fiscal agent for joint projects with homeless shelters.

The school district, rather than OSPI, monitors student progress.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is directed to contract with eligible providers for specialized child care and respite care for children of homeless parents.  A minimum of $25,000 per fiscal year is allocated to providers in any county that had at least one hundred children under the age of five served in emergency shelters the preceding year.  If a county had less than one hundred children under the age of five served in emergency shelters the preceding year, the minimum allocation is $10,000.  Providers are required to demonstrate that licensed child care and respite child care are available for children under the age of six.  Homeless parents of children are afforded an appropriate place to leave their children while seeking or maintaining employment, attending treatment, searching for housing or needing respite.

Senate Committee - Testified: Perry Keithly, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Ken Watson, Seattle Public Schools; Linda Thompson Black, Mayor's Office, City of Seattle; Don Glabe, Tacoma Public Schools