READ FIRST TIME 03/05/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to the funding of family preservation and intervention services; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the growing research literature on proven family preservation and intervention services can have a positive impact on how these services are funded and delivered in our communities. This body of research helps to demonstrate that successful, effective family preservation and intervention services are cost-effective to the state by measurably reducing rates of child abuse and neglect, out-of-home placement, re-referrals to child protective services, family conflict, and behavioral problems in children who are in out-of-home care.
     The legislature further finds that while this body of research is instructive in helping to guide decision making, research is by no means static. Research should guide, but not limit, innovation within a local community to best tailor proven prevention and intervention strategies to the particular needs of that community. The legislature finds that the state can benefit greatly from the involvement of individuals who are knowledgeable about research in the field of family preservation and intervention, as well as individuals who are knowledgeable about local community needs.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to establish a new, integrated delivery system for family preservation and intervention services which assures that both research and community perspectives on effective prevention and intervention strategies guide program funding decisions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) There is established a family preservation and intervention services legislative task force. The task force shall establish a plan for implementing integration of funding for family preservation and intervention services in the state.
     (2) The membership of the task force must include the following: (a) Individuals with expertise in research on effective family preservation and intervention services; (b) individuals with expertise in community-based provision of family preservation and intervention services; (c) current or former recipients of family preservation and intervention services; (d) representatives of the Washington state institute for public policy; and (e) representatives of the department of social and health services, including regional office representatives.
     (3) The task force shall consist of fifteen members as follows:
     (a) Eleven members appointed by the secretary of the department of social and health services; and
     (b) Four members of the legislature, one from each political caucus of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one from each political caucus of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate, each of whom shall serve as ex officio members of the task force.
     (4) The task force shall elect a chair from among its members. Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
     (5) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060, such reimbursement to be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.
     (6) Staff support for the task force shall be provided by the house of representatives office of program research and senate committee services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The family preservation and intervention services task force shall, at a minimum:
     (1) Propose a decision-making structure for the distribution of funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services, which emphasizes community involvement and takes into account regional differences;
     (2) Clearly define a request for proposal process for the distribution of funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services, including a proposal for a system of rating proposals;
     (3) Propose a formula for the equitable, statewide distribution of funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services;
     (4) Define populations to be served with funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services, which must include families at risk of further involvement with child protective services and families whose children are at risk of being placed outside the home or who have already been placed outside the home;
     (5) Identify services eligible for funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services; and
     (6) Determine criteria that programs must meet in order to qualify for funds appropriated for family preservation and intervention services, including, at a minimum, identification of: (a) Clear, measurable outcomes; (b) research that may be applicable; (c) anticipated cost-effectiveness; (d) broad community involvement, support, and partnerships; and (e) provision of data related to program outcomes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The family preservation and intervention services task force shall report to the governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the legislature on the results of its work no later than December 1, 2003.
     (2) The family preservation and intervention task force shall expire January 1, 2004.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The legislature intends that the department of social and health services shall implement the results of the work of the family preservation and intervention services task force in the 2005-2007 biennium.