Session 2015: Some Success, More Work to Do

The 2015 Washington State Legislative Regular Session came to an end on Friday, April 24. The legislature did not come to an agreement on the final budget. Consequently, a special session,which began on Wed., April 29, was called by Governor Inslee.

Many CCF priorities made it through are on their way to becoming law, but others languished or await a final decision on the budget.

Speaking of the budget, your help is needed!

Many programs, such as Working Connections Child Care, are at risk for cuts, while other great new initiatives such as Breakfast after the Bell (which draws down a large federal match), and are in trouble. Now is the time to contact budget conferees, and ask them to make sure the social safety net is protected with reliable revenues.

Below is the contact information for the budget conferees:

Sen. Andy Hill (R) Budget Chair (360) 786-7672 andy.hill@leg.wa.gov

Sen. John Braun (R) (360) 786-7638 john.braun@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Mark Schoesler (R) Majority Leader (360) 786-7620 mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Ross Hunter (D) Budget Chair (360) 786-7936 ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Frank Chopp (D) Speaker (360) 786-7920 frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Pat Sullivan (D) (360) 786-7858 pat.sullivan@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Bruce Chandler (R) (360) 786-7960 bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov

Success!

Extended Foster Care HB 1735 and SB 5740 allows youth in foster care to stay in the state health care system until 21 regardless of a medical condition that is an impediment to attending school, training, or a job. SB 5740 has passed and is on its way to the governor.

Homeless Youth Act HB 1436 and SB 5404 creates a focused statewide offices for Homeless Youth, maintains a funding stream for statewide programs serving these youth; and will improve rural service delivery. SB 5404 has been signed by the governor and is now law.

YEAR Act HB 1481 and SB 5564 was a bill created to eliminate most legal financial obligations that are assessed on juvenile offenders. These fines can cause a lifetime of debt and an inability to reintegrate back into the community. SB 5564 has passed and is on its way to the governor.

Anti-Sex Trafficking SB 5884 creates a single point of contact within the State Office of Crime Victims Advocacy in the Department of Commerce for advocacy groups and service providers. The clearing house serves as a pool of information so trafficking survivors and citizens have access to the most comprehensive and current information regarding statewide efforts to curb trafficking.

Needs Help!

Early Start Act HB 1491 and SB 5452 The Early Start Act is a bill that advances a system of quality supports for early learning and child care programs across the state to ensure that Washington’s youngest learners get off to a strong start. HB 1491 did not pass, however, is considered ‘necessary to implement the budget’ and will likely be voted on as a part of the final budgeting process once a state budget agreement is reached.

Social Emotional Learning Bill HB 1760 and SB 5688 would have created a workgroup to recommend comprehensive social and emotional benchmarks (ex. self-awareness, responsible decision-making, etc.) at every grade level. While these bills did not pass, there is language in the proposed budget to initiate this critical work.

Breakfast After the Bell HB 1295 and SB 5437 require that each high-needs school must offer breakfast after the bell to each student and provide adequate time for students to eat beginning in the 2016-17 school year. This will draw down millions more in federal funding. While these bills did not pass, there is language for the program in both the House and Senate budgets.

Opportunity Next Year

Universal Screening for Autism and Developmental Delays for Children in Medicaid Programs HB 1365 and SB 5317 This bill would have required universal screening and provider payment for autism and developmental delays as recommended by the Bright Futures guidelines, subject to the availability of funds. This would ensure the same standard of care that is required for all our privately insured children is applied to our Medicaid-covered children. SB 5317 was heard in the House Health and Wellness Committee in March but did not come up for executive action and therefore is dead. However, funding is included in the proposed Senate budget.

Progressive Legislation Aims to Prevent Child Abuse

By: Kristen Federici

CCF Board of Directors

April is child abuse prevention month, and the perfect time to highlight some of the progressive legislation intended to support families that is moving through the legislature this year.

Many of the bills that the Children's Campaign Fund is supporting this year help prevent abuse and neglect, either directly or indirectly. Read the 2015 CCF Legislative Priorities.

Focus our efforts before a child is ever abused in the first place

Many people think of the sad and sometimes tragic outcomes that occur for victims of abuse and neglect when they hear those words, but much of the work that can and should be the focus of our efforts occurs before a child is ever abused in the first place.

A lot of abuse and neglect occurs because: parents were never taught how to be a good parent themselves, lack basic necessities important to caring for their children, have untreated or under treated mental health or chemical dependency issues, or lack social supports to help them deal with life stressors and provide appropriate care.

Reducing Food Insecurity and Homelessness

Food insecurity and homelessness are major stressors for parents and families.

Those stressors can lead to physical abuse, or the sheer lack of those basic necessities can result in children being neglected, despite the best intentions of their caregivers.

Breakfast After the Bell (HB 1295) would ensure that children who receive free and reduced-price lunch could also get breakfast at school, even after the first bell has rung.

Extending the time when breakfast is available both allows more access and reduces some of the stigma that might cause children to avoid eating breakfast at school. This in turn ensures that kids are getting nutritious meals at least twice a day on weekdays and increases their ability to learn and succeed in school.

The Homeless Youth Act (HB 1436 and SB 5404) shines a light on youth homelessness and is the first step in reducing the number of children who are homeless in our state.

Early Identification of Developmental Delays

By identifying children with developmental delays and autism early, parents are more likely to get prompt treatment resulting in better outcomes for their children throughout their lifetimes.

In addition, early diagnosis and treatment that is covered by insurance, particularly by Medicaid for low-income families, is likely to reduce in more education support for the families which in turn will result in fewer cases of abuse and neglect.

The Autism and Developmental Delays legislation (SB 5317) ensures Medicaid coverage for screening of infants and toddlers from 9 to 30 months of age. Children with disabilities are three times as likely to be abused as non-disabled children.

Expanding the Foster Care Safety Net

Unfortunately, some children have already been abused, and they need resources and support to help them be safe and move on to live productive lives.

The Extended Foster Care bill (SB 5740) expands on the program that allows foster youth who are working or going to school to remain in the system until they are 21 by also allowing individuals with a serious medical condition to remain in the program until 21 as well. This gives children who are medically fragile or have a disability additional time to access services and mature prior to being sent out into the world on their own.

Home Visits and Educating New Parents

In addition, both the House and Senate budgets included additional funding for home visiting programs.

These programs are designed to support new parents by providing education, modeling and support on parenting skills, social emotional development, access to health care, awareness of child development and ways to support early learning.

One model, the Nurse-Family Partnership, has been shown to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect by almost 50 percent. Investment in these programs that help parents to be the best they can be for their children before abuse ever occurs are key to the prevention of abuse and neglect.

An Open Letter to Champions for Children

Dear Champions for Children,

Thank you for your support of key children’s issues during this legislative session. Many Washington senators and representatives across the political spectrum have worked together to affirm the commitment to our youngest citizens.

This year has seen the potential for historic investment in early learning as both legislative chambers passed their versions of the Early Start Act. And Extended Foster Care, Homeless Youth Act, YEAR Act, and Anti-Sex Trafficking are all paving the way toward a better future for Washington’s children.

Now that the House and Senate are deep within budget negotiations and compromise, the Children’s Campaign Fund urges your continued leadership to ensure services for children and families are fully funded in the final budget.

We depend on your commitment and courage to find reliable revenue sources for key legislation that will help every child including those who are furthest from opportunity.

Please keep children at the center of budget decision making, especially when considering:

• Making high-quality care and education available to every child

• Providing support for food-insecure households using State Food Assistance

• Investing in TANF to support families depending on limited cash benefits

• Services children and families experiencing homelessness depend on

• Helping children in foster care

We understand these are tough discussions, but this year offers the opportunity to affirm our state’s commitment to our youngest and most vulnerable members of our communities by supporting the safety net for every child.

The success of our state depends on the opportunities and investment we make today. Please ensure services for children and families are fully funded in the final budget.

Sincerely, The Children’s Campaign Fund Board of Directors