WSR 99-01-113
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
[Filed December 18, 1998, 9:51 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Changes related to emergency assistance including WAC 388-222-001, 388-222-010, 388-222-020; diversion assistance, WAC 388-436-0001, 388-436-0005, and 388-436-0010, additional requirements, emergent need; WAC 388-436-0015, 388-436-0020, 388-436-0025, 388-436-0030, 388-436-0035, 388-436-0040, 388-436-0045, 388-436-0050, consolidated emergency assistance program and any related rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.08A.210, 74.04.660.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Diversion assistance: To review rules for clarity and conformity to regulatory improvement standards of Executive Order 97-02.
Additional requirements, emergent need: To modify technical requirements required of households seeking assistance to alleviate housing hardships, including homelessness.
Consolidated emergency assistance program: To remove or substantially reduce rules for this program as a result of eliminating or substantially limiting the needs covered under this program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Consolidated emergency assistance program (CEAP): The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) administers funds related to the development of low-income housing and to assist homeless households access affordable housing. Funding for the CEAP program is being reallocated to DCTED to facilitate enhancement of their homeless housing program.
Process for Developing New Rule: The consolidated emergency assistance program and the additional requirements emergent need programs will be modified based on information gathered through meetings, mailings involving interested parties and agencies known to provide emergency services and the needs of homeless families for affordable housing. Proposed changes will be published in the Washington state registry and posted on state government internet sites for general review and comment. We are reviewing and revising the diversion assistance program rules as part of the regulatory improvement project to examine the entire DSHS rule inventory and rewrite as necessary to bring rules into compliance with the Executive Order 97-02 for clear regulations.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Program design meetings will be held during December 1998. Agencies known to provide services related to homeless families will be invited. Interested parties are invited to contact Michael Thomas, Program Manager, WorkFirst Division, Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5480, phone (360) 413-3098, e-mail THOMAMP@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 413-3482.
December 15, 1998
Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit