SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6166

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Newhouse, Hansen, Patrick, Bauer, Sutherland, Rasmussen, Lee, Johnson, Anderson, Conner, Kreidler, Wojahn, Amondson, Fleming and Bender)

Funding retired senior volunteer programs.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 15, 1990; January 18, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6166 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Susanne Windels (786-7435)

                  January 30, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The state's growing number of citizens over the age of sixty represent potential volunteer resources to local communities.  Public programs which could benefit from senior volunteer service include:  mental health, developmental disabilities, environmental protection, corrections, crime prevention, combatting drug abuse, respite care, helping at risk youth, and housing the homeless, among others.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) was established in 1971 by Congress to enable older Americans to stay active after retirement.  The program was designed and is supported by ACTION, the federal volunteer agency.  There are currently 18 RSVP projects in 26 counties in Washington State.  These programs match seniors with volunteer positions which best meet their individual and their community needs, in public, nonprofit and proprietary organizations.  Mileage, and some insurance and meals costs are reimbursed to senior volunteers.

Current funding sources for the RSVPs include the federal government, which provides up to a 70 percent match of local government and privately raised funds.  Federal funding to RSVPs in Washington State is currently under review:  The programs in this state have one of the highest ratio of federal to nonfederal support in the nation.

SUMMARY:

Three hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Community Development (DCD) for making grants to retired senior volunteer programs.  The appropriation would be distributed as follows:  55 percent ($165,000) would be allocated according to a process to be determined by DCD and the directors of the RSVPs; 20 percent ($60,000) to a competitive grant process for projects to develop or expand RSVP services; 10 percent ($30,000) to a competitive grant process for matching funds to expand RSVP services in specific program areas; up to 10 percent ($30,000) for administration; and up to 5 percent ($15,000) for projects benefitting RSVPs statewide.

Priority for grants is given to mental health, developmental disabilities, corrections, and respite care programs.  No grant money may be used to displace an existing paid worker.  Grants may be made to programs that 1) develop new roles for senior volunteers; 2) increase the expertise of those recruiting, motivating, employing and communicating with citizens over sixty; 3) increase the number of senior volunteers placed; and 4) provide volunteer support such as reimbursement for travel, volunteer insurance, and recognition.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect April 2, 1990.

Senate Committee - Testified: A.W. Bromfield; Sigrid Vantogen; Creighton Miller; Laura Porter, President RSVP Directors' Assn.; Geraldine Steyenga; Margo Eyting, Campfire Girls