SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 1965

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of May 4, 2011

Title: An act relating to public and private partnership in addressing adverse childhood experiences.

Brief Description: Concerning adverse childhood experiences.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Jinkins, Frockt and Kenney).

Brief History: Passed House: 4/11/11, 63-33; 5/02/11, 57-38.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 5/04/11.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: Megan Atkinson (786-7446)

Background: Family Policy Council. The Family Policy Council (FPC) was established to modify public policy and programs to empower communities to support and respond to the needs of individual families and children, and to improve the responsiveness of services for children and families at risk by facilitating greater coordination and flexibility in the use of funds by state and local service agencies.

Duties of the FPC. The FPC is required to:

Community Networks. The FPC partners with approximately 42 community public health and safety networks. Networks are required to:

Council for Children and Families. The Council for Children and Families (CCF) was established to increase educational programs and services to prevent child abuse and neglect in partnership between communities, citizens, and the state.

The CCF is authorized to contract with public or private nonprofit organizations, agencies, schools, or with qualified individuals for the establishment of a range of community-based programs and services designed to reduce child abuse and neglect. The CCF is also charged with:

Summary of Bill: Family Policy Council and Council for Children and Families. The FPC and the CCF are eliminated effective June 30, 2012. Community networks are preserved.

Private-Public Partnership. A nongovernmental private-public partnership (Partnership), which may be an existing or a new entity, is authorized to focus on the prevention and reduction of adverse childhood experiences, including those that occur in early childhood. The Partnership must use evidence-based and research-based approaches. It must give consideration to community public health and safety networks that have a history of providing training and services related to adverse childhood experiences. It must also develop a method to distribute funds based on data which indicates areas of need and the use of evidence-based and research-based strategies to address those needs.

The Partnership must advise the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) regarding the approval of blended funding projects recommended by the community networks.

Authority of the DSHS. The Secretary of the DSHS is authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the DSHS, provide funding to the private-public partnerships, and accept gifts, grants, or other funds to prevent or reduce adverse childhood experiences.

Duties Transferred to the Department of Early Learning. Beginning July 1, 2011, the CCF and Department of Early Learning (DEL) must develop a plan for transitioning to the DEL the duties of the CCF that are primarily related to children's early learning. The CCF and the DEL must, as appropriate, participate in the development of the private-public partnership to streamline efforts around the prevention of child abuse and neglect and avoid duplication of efforts.

The duty to fund evidence-based and research-based home visitation programs is transferred from the CCF to the DEL. General funds intended to support home visiting funding must be appropriated to the Home Visiting Services Account with the purpose of maximizing opportunities to obtain matching funds from private entities. The DEL must work with the DSHS, the Department of Health, the Partnership, and key partners and stakeholders to develop a plan to coordinate or consolidate home visitation services.

Beginning July 1, 2012, the DEL will be the lead agency for the Children's Trust Fund, and the Director of the DEL is authorized to disburse those funds. Beginning July 1, 2012, the DEL will also be the lead agency for the Community-Based Child Abuse and Prevention Fund.

Readiness to Learn. The Superintendent of Public Instruction must award grants to community-based consortiums that submit comprehensive plans that include strategies to improve readiness to learn.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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