SB 6419 — Concerning access to the Washington early childhood education and assistance program.

S-4517.2SUBSTITUTES-3683.2SENATE SENATE BILL 6419State of Washington65th Legislature2018 Regular SessionBy Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rolfes, Zeiger, Billig, Wellman, Conway, Darneille, Kuderer, Palumbo, and Walsh)READWalshRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/02/18.AN01/17/18. ACT Relating to promoting access to the Washington early childhood education and assistance program;

amendingReferred RCWto 43.216.555;Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.AN ACT Relating to promoting access to the Washington early childhood education and assistance program;

addingamending aRCW new43.216.505; section to chapter 43.216 RCW;

The legislature intends, therefore, to provide more flexibility in determining eligibility for ECEAP in order to maximize the state's investment and assure that program funding is deployed to serve the greatest number of children and families.NEWfamilies.Sec. 2.  RCW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A43.216.505 new section is added to chapter 43.216 RCW to read as follows:(1) The department shall adopt rules that allow the inclusion of children in the early childhood education and assistance2017 program3rd whosesp.s. family income is above one hundred ten percent of the federal poverty level if the number of such children equals not more than twenty-five percent of total statewide enrollment.(2) Children included in the early childhood education and assistance program under this section must be homeless or impacted by specific developmental or environmental risk factors that are linked by research to school performance.

"Homeless"c 6 s 210 are each amended to read as follows:Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 43.216.500 through 43.216.559, 43.216.900, and 43.216.901.(1) "Advisory committee" means withoutthe aadvisory fixed,committee regular,under RCW 43.216.520.(2) "Approved programs" means those state-supported education and adequatespecial nighttimeassistance residenceprograms which are recognized by the department as setmeeting forththe inminimum program rules adopted by the federaldepartment McKinney-Ventoto homelessqualify under RCW 43.216.500 through 43.216.550, 43.216.900, and 43.216.901 and are designated as eligible for funding by the department under RCW 43.216.530 and 43.216.540.(3) "Comprehensive" means an assistance act,program P.L.that focuses on the needs of the child and includes education, health, and family support services.(4) "Eligible child" means a child not eligible for kindergarten whose family income is at or below one hundred ten percent of the federal poverty level, as published annually by the federal department of health and human services, and includes a child whose family is eligible for public assistance, and who is not a participant in a federal or state program providing comprehensive services;

a child who is homeless;

a child eligible for special education due to disability under RCW 28A.155.020;

and may include children who are eligible under rules adopted by the department if the number of such children equals not more than ((ten)) twenty-five percent of ((the total)) enrollment by individual contracted provider in the early childhood program.

Priority for enrollment shall be given to children from families with the lowest income, children in foster care, or to eligible children from families with multiple needs.(5) "Family support services" means providing opportunities for parents to:(a) Actively participate in their child's early childhood program;(b) Increase their knowledge of child development and parenting skills;(c) Further their education and training;(d) Increase their ability to use needed services in the community;(e) Increase their self-reliance.(6) "Homeless" means without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as set forth in the federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act, P.L.

1129.(3)1129.NEW ChildrenSECTION.  Sec. 3.  This includedact intakes theeffect earlyJuly childhood1, education2018.--- andEND assistance--- program under this section are not to be considered eligible children as defined in RCW 43.216.505 and are not considered to be part of the state-funded entitlement required in RCW 43.216.556.Sec. 3.  RCW 43.216.555 and 2015 3rd sp.s.

c 7 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:(1) Beginning September 1, 2011, an early learning program to provide voluntary preschool opportunities for children three and four years of age shall be implemented according to the funding and implementation plan in RCW ((43.215.456)) 43.216.556.

The program must offer a comprehensive program of early childhood education and family support, including parental involvement and health information, screening, and referral services, based on family need.

Participation in the program is voluntary.

On a space available basis, the program may allow enrollment of children included in the early childhood education and assistance program under section 2 of this act and may allow enrollment of children who are not otherwise eligible by assessing a fee.(2) The program shall be implemented by utilizing the program standards and eligibility criteria in the early childhood education and assistance program in RCW ((43.215.400)) 43.216.500 through ((43.215.450)) 43.216.550.(3)(a) Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, the program implementation in this section shall prioritize early childhood education and assistance programs located in low-income neighborhoods within high-need geographical areas.(b) Following the priority in (a) of this subsection, preference shall be given to programs meeting at least one of the following characteristics:(i) Programs offering an extended day program for early care and education;(ii) Programs offering services to children diagnosed with a special need;

or(iii) Programs offering services to children involved in the child welfare system.(4) The ((director)) secretary shall adopt rules for the following program components, as appropriate and necessary during the phased implementation of the program, consistent with early achievers program standards established in RCW ((43.215.100)) 43.216.085:(a) Minimum program standards;(b) Approval of program providers;

and(c) Accountability and adherence to performance standards.(5) The department has administrative responsibility for:(a) Approving and contracting with providers according to rules developed by the ((director)) secretary under this section;(b) In partnership with school districts, monitoring program quality and assuring the program is responsive to the needs of eligible children;(c) Assuring that program providers work cooperatively with school districts to coordinate the transition from preschool to kindergarten so that children and their families are well-prepared and supported;

and(d) Providing technical assistance to contracted providers.NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  This act takes effect July 1, 2018.--- END ---