HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1695
As Reported by House Committee On:
Children & Family Services
Title: An act relating to social services.
Brief Description: Reorganizing state agencies involved in social services policy.
Sponsors: Representatives Boldt and Anderson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Children & Family Services: 2/12/01, 2/22/01 [DPS].
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
$The bill assigns all community network administrative responsibility and statutes to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED).
$The Social Services Policy and Audit Council is established and is responsible for strategic planning, development of performance measures, audits of social services delivery systems, and making recommendations to the Legislature for statutory changes to improve these systems.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Boldt, Republican Co‑Chair; Tokuda, Democratic Co‑Chair; Morell, Republican Vice Chair; Ballasiotes, Campbell and Pflug.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Kagi, Democratic Vice Chair; Darneille, Dickerson and Miloscia.
Staff: Deborah Frazier (786‑7152).
Background:
The Family Policy Council (FPC) was established in 1992. The council is charged with making systemic changes to the social services delivery system to improve outcomes for children and families.
A primary responsibility of the council is working with the Community Public Health and Safety Networks. The networks are volunteer boards created in 1994 to improve seven ?problem behaviors@ identified by the state: child abuse and neglect, youth violence, youth substance abuse, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, school dropout, and teen suicide. In addition, networks are working to reduce out‑of‑home placements of children in the child welfare system, and to recommend policy changes to improve state and local child and family serving systems.
The Office of Community Development, under the statutory authority of the (DCTED), manages a wide variety of programs, including youth violence prevention and intervention, community development block grants, community services block grants, and community mobilization.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The bill assigns all community network administrative responsibility and statutes to DCTED.
The Social Services Policy and Audit Council is established. Membership is defined and duties are enumerated. The council is responsible for strategic planning, development of performance measures, audits of social services delivery systems, and making recommendations to the Legislature for statutory changes to improve these systems.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill restores two sections of existing statutes that were repealed in the original bill. These sections address the general purpose of the chapter and authorize the governor to consolidate duplicative functions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: (Original Bill) Requested on February 6, 2001. (Substitute Bill) Requested on February 23, 2001.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: I support this bill because it is the people in the community who know the problems. Knowing that local people are involved helps people to be committed to change in the long term. The Family Policy Council is a top down mechanism that does not encourage grass roots empowerment.
(Concerns) Our network has not had the opportunity to consider this bill and take a position, so we are neutral on moving the networks under DCTED. We just don=t know how things will work under DCTED. We know that the Family Policy Council has helped us a lot with technical assistance, especially on how to implement outcome measures. We couldn=t be accountable without their help, and their help with financial management has been invaluable.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: (In support) Representative Boldt, prime sponsor; and Representative G. Anderson.
(Concerns) Kathleen McLaughlin and Daryl Ball, Island County/Stanwood Community Network; Bob O=Brien, Mason County Network; and Helen Myrick, Greater Pierce County Community Network.