(1) Within available funds, the council for children and families shall fund evidence-based and research-based home visitation programs for improving parenting skills and outcomes for children. Home visitation programs must be voluntary and must address the needs of families to alleviate the effect on child development of factors such as poverty, single parenthood, parental unemployment or underemployment, parental disability, or parental lack of high school diploma, which research shows are risk factors for child abuse and neglect and poor educational outcomes.

     (2) The council for children and families shall develop a plan with the department of social and health services, the department of health, the department of early learning, and the family policy council to coordinate or consolidate home visitation services for children and families and report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007, with their recommendations for implementation of the plan.

[2008 c 152 § 6; 2007 c 466 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2008 c 152: See note following RCW 13.34.136.