In 2009, the Washington State Legislature passed 2SHB 2106, relating to the accountability for performance in providing child welfare services to children and families. The act is intended to improve child welfare outcomes through a phased implementation of strategic and proven reforms.
The act acknowledges that the safety and well-being of children and families is essential to the social and economic health of Washington. It further states that it is the duty of the state to provide children at risk of being removed from their homes and families with reasonable opportunities to access supportive services that are proven to enhance their chances to be safe and secure. There is also growing evidence that, if done in a carefully planned, collaborative manner, performance-based contracting - the process of structuring a service around outcomes instead of just services to be performed - can improve the prospect of children being safer and having a greater sense of well-being.
The Act:
- Requires DSHS to consolidate and convert current contracts for child welfare services to performance-based contracts by July 1, 2011.
- Establishes the Child Welfare Transformation Design Committee to select two demonstration sites in which DSHS must contract out for all child welfare services, and developing a transition plan for implementing the performance-based contracts.
In June 2015, the Governor would decide whether to expand or terminate the program based on measurable results of the demonstration projects.
Information from DSHS
Click here to go to the DSHS site and learn more about plans and upcoming informational sessions conducted by DSHS Children's Administration regarding performance-based contracts.
In the left column, you will find a list of all state contractors and the data book that was distributed to all providers as of July 31, 2010.