Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Children & Family Services Committee

HB 1695

Brief Description:  Reorganizing state agencies involved in social services policy.

Sponsors:  Representatives Boldt and Anderson.

Brief Summary of 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.

Hearing Date:  2/12/01

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 Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (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 Bill: 

The bill assigns all community network administrative responsibility and statutes to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED).  Remaining Family Policy Council statutes are repealed.

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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 6, 2001.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.