HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1650

BYRepresentatives Basich, Leonard, Sayan, Moyer, Ebersole, Brooks, Raiter, Winsley, Prentice, Jones, Rust, Cole, Cooper, Todd, Walker, Tate, Jacobsen, Cantwell, Vekich, P. King, Wineberry, Hargrove, Fraser, Rasmussen, Betrozoff, Sprenkle, Peery, Wang, H. Myers, Scott, Brekke, Crane, Dorn, R. Meyers, Anderson, Dellwo, Ferguson, Pruitt, Morris, G. Fisher and Rector

Establishing the children-youth coordinating council.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Bristow, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Brekke, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 20, 1989

House Staff:Jean Wessman (786-7132)

BACKGROUND:

There is a growing concern with the increasing number of children and youth who are at risk of never reaching their full potential as productive, contributing, and responsible adult members of our society. Business is beginning to realize that the work force of the future is jeopardized by influences that begin even before a child is born. The effects of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, child abuse and neglect, dropping out of school, and juvenile delinquency are contributing to the growth of a generation that is ill-prepared to meet the needs of the changing world economy.

Several states, including Oregon, are exploring methods of coordinating efforts to provide the most efficient and effective services and programs to address the needs of at-risk children and youth.  Within Washington State, a number of counties and local communities have established children's councils and commissions to coordinate their prevention and intervention efforts.

To assist these local efforts and coordinate policies state-wide, persons from local communities, the Legislature, service providers, advocates, and state agencies believe an ongoing state coordinating council for youth and children is necessary.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Children-Youth Coordinating Council is established to develop a comprehensive state policy for at-risk children and youth and suggest strategies for the most effective use of available federal, state, and local resources.

The Council shall consist of 25 members, who serve three-year terms, appointed by the Governor.  The members shall include the agency heads of the Department of Social and Health Services, the Employment Security Department, the Department of Community Development, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Department of Health, if created.  Members shall also represent the Legislature, business and labor, the education community, and persons with expertise in the problems of children and youth. Reimbursement will be provided for travel expenses of both the legislative and non-legislative members.

The goals of the Council are to improve the health, education, welfare, and responsibility of at-risk children and youth to prepare them to be productive adults. To meet these goals, the Council has specific aims to: 1) increase the rate of success in school; 2) reduce drop-outs; 3) reduce substance abuse; 4) reduce teen pregnancy; 5) reduce delinquency; and 6) increase employment skills.

The Council's duties shall be to: 1) develop a state-wide policy for at-risk children and youth; 2) review existing and past research and commission and task force results; 3) inventory existing funds and programs for effectiveness and efficiency; 4) review funding requirements for maximum leveraging; 5) encourage private sector involvement; 6) require collaboration among agencies that contract with state agencies; 7) promote public private partnerships and local councils by providing technical assistance; 8) support successful programs; and 9) disseminate effective programs and approaches.

The Council shall meet bimonthly, adopt bylaws, establish subcommittees, and report annually beginning August 1, 1990, to the Legislature, the Governor, state agency heads and the public.

Support staff on rotation shall be assigned, within available funds, consisting of at least a quarter-time FTE, from the Office of Financial Management, the Department of Social and Health Services, the Department of Community Development, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Employment Security Department. The Attorney General's Office and other state agencies are to assist as requested by the chairperson of the Council. Assistance may also be requested from the Washington Business Roundtable, the Association of Washington Business, the Economic Development Board, universities, and others. The governor shall select an executive director.

It is intended that the Council serve as the single focus for at-risk children and youth issues. A listing of other boards, committees, councils, and task forces that advise state agencies on at-risk children and youth shall be provided to the Council by December 31, 1989. By March 31, 1990 guidelines must be developed for having those committees, boards, councils, and task forces report to the Council beginning in 1991. By December 31, 1990, the board, committee, council or task force shall be asked to combine or disband when duplicative functions exist.

The Council is given the authority to receive gifts, grants, or endowments from public or private sources, including federal funds for its use.

The Council shall expire on June 30, 1994, if not extended through the provisions of the Sunset Act.

An appropriation of $200,000 is made for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: The Council shall promote public and private partnerships as well as local children and youth councils. Support staff shall be staff on rotation within available resources. The Governor shall select an executive director.  A sunset clause is added.

Appropriation:    The sum of $200,000 or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the office of financial management to carry out the purposes of this act.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Bob Basich; Lynn Kessler, Grays Harbor County Youth 2000; Karen Smitherman, Tacoma Pierce County Youth 2000; John House, National Alliance of Business; Lee Bucsko, Education Service District  113.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The rates of teen pregnancy, substance abuse, school drop-outs, juvenile delinquency, unemployability, and serious emotional disturbances are increasing at an alarming rate among our children and youth.  We are at risk of losing an entire generation and not being able to provide enough educated and productive adults to maintain an effective and efficient work force.  Failure to intervene with at-risk children and youth will cause a tremendous fiscal impact in the future to our public assistance , adult corrections, mental health, and other social systems. The Youth 2000 initiative sponsored by the federal government created a great deal of local community interest nationwide.  One result was the creation of local children and youth councils and commissions to oversee intervention with at-risk children and youth. In order to coordinate these local efforts and also have one single state level focus for at-risk children and youth, it is necessary to create a state coordinating council to suggest strategies for maximizing state, local, and federal resources.  Current efforts aimed at prevention and early intervention activities for children and youth are fragmented among local agencies, and dozens of boards, committees, commissions, and task forces.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.