SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5419
As Passed Senate, February 2, 2024
Title: An act relating to removing the requirement that the Washington state institute of public policy conduct an outcome evaluation of case aides who provide short-term relief for certain foster families.
Brief Description: Removing a Washington state institute of public policy outcome evaluation requirement.
Sponsors: Senators Gildon, Billig, Liias, Mullet and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services: 1/30/23, 2/07/23 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 3/1/23, 48-0; 2/2/24, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Eliminates the statutory requirement that the Washington State Institute for Public Policy provide an outcome evaluation of short-term support provided by case aides for foster families.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wilson, C., Chair; Kauffman, Vice Chair; Boehnke, Ranking Member; Frame, Nguyen, Warnick and Wilson, J..
Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7488)
Background:

Case Aides. Case aides provide temporary assistance to foster parents as needed with the overall goal of supporting the parental efforts of the foster parents except that this assistance may not include overnight assistance.  These individuals must be hired by or volunteer through nonprofit community-based organizations (CBO) contracted with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), and must have the appropriate training, background checks, and qualifications determined by DCYF.

 

Washington State Institute for Public Policy. The Legislature created the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) in 1983 to conduct non-partisan research at the direction of the Legislature or the WSIPP Board of Directors. WSIPP produces reports on a variety of topics of interest to the state and estimates benefit-cost analyses for a variety of state programs.

 

In 2017, the Legislature directed WSIPP to prepare an outcome evaluation of short-term support provided by case aides. The evaluation is to assess the impact of this short-term support service on the retention of foster homes, and the number of placements a foster child receives, as well as the return on investment to the state. A preliminary report was due to the Legislature and the Governor by December 1, 2018, with a final report due by June 30, 2021. 

 

In its preliminary report, WSIPP reported that from June through September 2018, a total of 13 families requested, and 8 families received, a range of support services through the two CBOs contracted to provide case aid support services.
Summary of Bill:

Language directing WSIPP to conduct an outcome evaluation of short-term support provided by case aides for foster families is struck from statute.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO: The original bill required a study, however, WSIPP  has not been able to conduct the study because the sample size is too low. This bill is just removing this study from statute to clean up the books.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Chris Gildon, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.