HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2807

Title: An act relating to authorizing blended funding projects for youth.

Brief Description:   Authorizing blended funding projects for youth.

Sponsors:Representatives Kagi, Boldt, Wolfe, Ruderman, D. Sommers, Tokuda, Lovick, Kenney and Santos.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:January 31, 2000.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Deborah Frazier  (786-7152).

Background:  Serving children with serious emotional disturbances, who require intensive services from multiple service systems, has typically been accomplished by each service system funding and providing services separately, with little or no coordination or collaboration with the other service systems.  The service systems usually involved with these children are: education; child welfare; mental health; alcohol and drug; and` juvenile rehabilitation.

This approach places parents, guardians, or custodians of the child in the position of trying to understand multiple funding streams, eligibility requirements and program limitations, and, managing relationships with multiple entities.

Pilot programs are underway in the states to address the complex needs of these children through blended funding.  Under this approach, each service system for which the child is eligible contributes funding to the care of the child.  The total funding is managed by an administrative services entity that works with each service system's administrative requirements.  In theory, blended funding frees the child, parent and providers to focus on serving the child and achieving better outcomes.

Summary of Bill:  House Bill 2807 adds the responsibility to authorize and facilitate blended funding for children with complex needs to children and family services statutes.

The bill directs the superintendent of public instruction and the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to transfer appropriated funds to support blended funding projects for youth. 

Children eligible for blended funding are defined as those eligible for, and requiring, services provided through DSHS or a local school district that are designed to address a behavioral, mental, emotional, or substance abuse issue. 

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:None.

Effective Date:July 1, 2000.