SB 5955: Relating to making necessary changes allowing the department of children, youth, and families to effectively manage a statewide system of care for children, youth, and families

*Companion HB2063*

Ammendment:

Updated 2/26/19:

The following clarifications are made to the Passport to Careers program:

1. DCYF may share information about current and former foster youth; and

The personally identifiable information DCYF shares does not lose its confidentiality and may not be disclosed further unless allowed by law.

Update 3/29/19:

As amended by the House Human Services and Early Learning committee:

(1) Removes changes to the definition of “guardianship” with respect to permanency planning for a dependent child.

(2) Requires a petitioner to notify the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) when the parentage of a dependent or alleged dependent child is being adjudicated.

(3) Requires the DCYF to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2019, on efforts to improve workplace culture.

(4) Requires the DCYF and any external entity providing training to child welfare workers to report on the training to the Legislature by September 1, 2019, and requires DCYF to report on a training improvement plan by January 1, 2020.

(5) Requires child welfare workers to support victims of domestic violence while those victims continue to care for their children, when possible.

(6) Requires the DCYF to implement an evidence-informed curriculum for supervisors; develop and implement specialized training for child welfare workers; incorporate trauma-informed care, self-care, and reflective supervision in training; make a concerted effort to increase efficiency through reducing paperwork; and provide a critical incident protocol and peer counseling for child welfare workers.

(7) Directs the DCYF to establish a technical work group to develop a workload model for child welfare workers and affiliated staff and report on the model by December 1, 2019. The work group must consist of two child welfare worker representatives, fiscal staff of the DCYF, human resources staff of the DCYF, and a representative from the Office of Financial Management. The work group must report annually to the Legislature on any recommended modifications to the workload model and steps the DCYF is taking to implement changes. Code Rev/AF:akl 46 H-2469.1/19 (8) Adds definitions.

Amendments:

Updated on 4.12.19:

1^st substitute:

The following clarifications are made to the Passport to Careers program:

1. DCYF may share information about current and former foster youth; and
2. The personally identifiable information DCYF shares does not lose its confidentiality and may not be disclosed further unless allowed by law.

House Committee Amendments (Updated on 4.12.19):

• Removed changes to the definition of “guardianship” with respect to permanency planning for a dependent child.
• Requires a petitioner to notify DCYF when the parentage of a dependent or alleged dependent child is being adjudicated.
• Requires DCYF to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2019, on efforts to improve workplace culture.
• Requires DCYF and any external entity providing training to child welfare workers to report on the training to the Legislature by September 1, 2019, and requires DCYF to report on a training improvement plan by January 1, 2020.
• Requires child welfare workers to support victims of domestic violence while those victims continue to care for their children, when possible.
• Requires DCYF to implement an evidence-informed curriculum for supervisors; develop and implement specialized training for child welfare workers; incorporate trauma informed care, self-care, and reflective supervision in training; make a concerted effort to increase efficiency through reducing paperwork; and provide a critical incident protocol and peer counseling for child welfare workers.
• Directs DCYF to establish a technical work group to develop a workload model for child welfare workers and affiliated staff and report on the model by December 1, 2019.
  • The work group must consist of two child welfare worker representatives, fiscal staff of the DCYF, human resources staff of DCYF, and a representative from the Office of Financial Management.
  • The work group must report annually to the Legislature on any recommended modifications to the workload model and steps DCYF is taking to implement changes.
• Allows short-term case aides who provide temporary assistance to foster parents to be volunteers with a nonprofit community organization contracted by DCYF.
• Extended the due date of a report on short-term case aides from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy from June 30, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Added definitions.