SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6004

BYSenators Murray, Vognild, Stratton, Smitherman and Warnke

Requiring the childhood telecommunications program be made available throughout the state.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

AS OF MARCH 1, 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:

Programs provided by the Early Childhood Telecommunications Project available to all areas of the state.

$320,000 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.

Appropriation:    $320,000

Fiscal Note:      none requested.