Title: An act relating to cost-effective prevention and early intervention programs.

Brief Description: Creating the prevention quality council.

Sponsors: Senator Regala; by request of Office of Financial Management.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/18/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: The last two decades have seen interest in prevention and early intervention programs increase. At the same time, more high quality program evaluations have become available. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP ) recently published a report on the Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth (September 17, 2004). The Institute found that some prevention and early intervention programs fail to generate more benefits than costs. Other programs may not have undergone rigorous evaluation.
As a result of this study, the WSIPP recommended the legislature, and Governor, take the following actions: (1) invest in research-proven "blue chip" prevention and early intervention programs; (2) avoid spending money on programs where there is little evidence of program effectiveness; (3) keep abreast of the latest research based findings; (4) evaluate Washington's currently funded programs to determine if benefits exceed costs; (5) pay close attention to quality control and original program designs; and (6) consider developing a strategy to encourage local government investment in research-proven programs.

Summary of Bill: The prevention quality council is created with staffing provided by the Office of Financial Management. The nine council members will be selected from the Office of Financial Management, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Health and the Legislature. The council will contract with the WSIPP to conduct research. It will meet annually to review research and funding of prevention and early intervention programs, and to certify evidence based prevention programs for state funding. The WSIPP will review and update research at the direction of the council or the legislature.

State agencies identified as operating prevention programs are to submit reports to the council describing funds expended. Each report is to include the percentage of state funds the agency receives for prevention programs that is being expended on evidence-based programs. A minimum is set for the percentage of state funds to be expended by state agencies on certified evidence based programs for fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009 and thereafter.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.

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

Testimony For: This is something we should be doing regularly, so we know what is working.

Testimony Against: None.

CONCERNS: One size fits all, doesn't work. We should invest at local level. Although we support the concept, it seems duplicative.

Who Testified: PRO: Priscilla Lisicich, WA Assn of Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention; Kari Burrell, Dick Van Wagenen, Office of Financial Management. CONCERNS: Gail Gosney; Coalition of Community Networks; Laurie Lippold, children's Home Society.