BILL REQ. #:  H-4167.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to trauma mitigation for children; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that certain groups of children have dramatically higher rates of exposure to trauma, including children who have been abused or neglected, children in foster care, and children who witness domestic violence. The legislature also finds that there is a growing number of untreated trauma-affected children exhibiting severe stress reactions. When left untreated, the psychological distress caused by trauma in infancy and early childhood compromises healthy brain development and may result in a lifetime of lost potential. The legislature further finds that over the past two decades, significant theoretical, empirical, and clinical developments have emerged to guide practitioners in effectively treating trauma-exposed children. The legislature intends to create a pilot program to demonstrate the effectiveness of trauma mitigation strategies for the treatment of trauma-exposed children.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The trauma mitigation for children pilot program is established. The pilot program shall be administered jointly by the children's administration and the division of mental health, within the department of social and health services. The pilot program shall promote evidence-based trauma mitigation interventions for children who are removed from their home by child protective services.
     (2) The pilot program shall provide a structure for:
     (a) Implementing a regional trauma mitigation early intervention program to reduce the effects on children of exposure to trauma;
     (b) Creating a community-based response to the impacts of trauma on children; and
     (c) Identifying and strengthening local resources for developmentally appropriate services for children and families who have experienced trauma.
     (3) The pilot program shall be implemented at the safe harbor crisis nursery located in Kennewick, Washington. One additional site may be selected on the basis of need as determined by:
     (a) The relative availability or unavailability of comparable services locally; and
     (b) The relative at-risk population within the community.
     (4) The pilot program shall consist of the following services for children:
     (a) For children birth to six years of age, and sibling groups with children under six years of age and siblings through age twelve, twenty-four hour group receiving care for a maximum of seven days. Receiving care under this subsection (4)(a) shall be designed to assist children in their transition to foster care;
     (b) For children not enrolled in school, posttrauma child day care for a maximum of thirty days after transition from group receiving care to foster care. Child day care under this subsection (4)(b) includes play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and physical activities as developmentally appropriate;
     (c) For school age siblings, posttrauma interventions once per week for a maximum of thirty days after transition from group receiving care to foster care; and
     (d) Follow-up assessments of each child at the time of exit, and at six months and one year after exit, from the day care program or the weekly intervention program.
     (5) The pilot program shall also provide for the dissemination of information and training for professionals, parents, foster parents, and caregivers regarding:
     (a) The long-term impacts of exposure to trauma; and
     (b) Evidence-based practices, strategies, and resources for mitigating the impact of exposure to trauma.
     (6) In collaboration with the safe harbor crisis nursery, the children's administration and the division of mental health shall report to the legislature regarding the pilot program not later than September 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act expires December 31, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2006, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.