BILL REQ. #: H-4764.1
| State of Washington | 58th Legislature | 2004 Regular Session |
READ FIRST TIME 02/06/04.
AN ACT Relating to family decision meetings; adding new sections to chapter 74.13 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The legislature finds that engaging
families in decision making when their children are involved in the
child welfare system generally improves the outcomes for children. By
involving families in the decision-making process, it is anticipated
that the number of out-of-home placements can be reduced, as well as
the incidence of behavioral, physical, and mental health problems for
individual children. For those children in out-of-home placements, the
number of placements for individual children, the likelihood of placing
individual children with siblings, and successful reunifications are
expected to improve as a result of family engagement. Based on the
experience in the state where families have been engaged in decision
making, these improved outcomes will result in cost savings to the
state as fewer and less costly services and supports for children and
families are needed.
(2) It is established as the policy of the state of Washington to
encourage and support meaningful family involvement in the decision
making related to planning for children involved in the child welfare
system, in those instances where family is available and family
involvement is in the best interest of the child.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW
to read as follows:
The definition in this section applies throughout sections 3
through 5 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Family decision meeting" means a family-focused intervention
facilitated by dedicated professional staff that is designed to build
and strengthen the natural caregiving system for the child. Family
decision meetings may include, but are not limited to, family group
conferences, family mediation, family support meetings, or other
professionally recognized interventions that include extended family
and rely upon the family to make shared decisions about planning for
its children. The purpose of the family decision meeting is to
establish a plan that provides for the safety and permanency needs of
the child.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) The department of social and health services shall establish as
a policy the use of family decision meetings in cases in which a child
is involved in the child welfare system.
(2) The department shall develop written policies and protocols
identifying the key decision points at which family decision meetings
shall be held including, but not limited to, a change in a child's
placement.
(3) When the department determines that the use of a family
decision meeting is appropriate, and the child's parent or parents and
other family members agree to the meeting, an initial meeting shall be
held as soon as possible following the family's agreement to
participate.
(4) If the department elects not to conduct a family decision
meeting or the family does not agree to the meeting, the reasons for
not conducting a family decision meeting shall be clearly documented in
the written service plan of the child developed by the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) If the department of social and health services conducts a
family decision meeting, the meeting shall result in the development of
a written family plan that may include service recommendations,
placement recommendations, and a permanency plan.
(2) The department shall incorporate the family plan developed at
the family decision meeting into the department's service plan for the
child to the extent that the family plan protects the child, builds on
family strengths, and is focused on achieving permanency for the child
within a reasonable time.
(3) If the family plan is not incorporated into the department's
service plan for the child, the department shall document the reasons
in the service plan.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW
to read as follows:
The department of social and health services shall develop policies
for conducting family decision meetings in accordance with sections 3
and 4 of this act throughout the state by January 1, 2005.