SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5632

BYSenators Rinehart and Bailey

Providing for before-and-after school care.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 8, 1989; February 27, 1989

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

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

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  February 28, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Researchers on child care issues have found that about one- third of all American children between the ages of six and thirteen are home alone for some time after school.  About 50 percent of the work force is now made up of families with two parents working and single parents.  One family in six is headed by single, divorced or widowed women.

SUMMARY:

The before-and-after school child care program is created within the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Superintendent provides grants to school districts to assess the need, design a program and to cover operational costs.  The program serves children between the ages of five and twelve during the school year.  School districts may contract with public or private nonsectarian organizations to provide services.

Districts are required to provide a 25 percent match, which may include in-kind contributions.

The grants cover the costs of providing care to children living in families with incomes at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.  Other children are eligible if space is available.  Districts may develop different rates based upon the ability to pay.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction adopts rules, including rules about minimum standards for the quality of the programs.

These before-and-after school child care programs are not regulated by the Department of Social and Health Services.

Appropriation:    $24,200,000

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 7, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Suzanne Griffen, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association; Margie Reeves, Washington Association for the Education of Young Children; Karen Keish, Washington State Labor Council; CON:  Karen Tvedt, Department of Social and Health Services