Source: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb2399%20intr.htm&yr=2005&sesstype=RS&i=2399
Timestamp: 2017-10-18 20:38:50
Document Index: 427381062

Matched Legal Cases: ['§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5', '§5']

(By Delegates Amores, Mahan and Spencer)
A BILL to amend the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto three new sections, designated §5-26-9, §5-26-10 and §5-26-11, all relating to family resource centers; requiring the governor's cabinet on children and families to develop and implement a pilot plan establishing a system of family resource centers; providing for grants to local centers; and requiring oversight and monitoring.
That the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto three new sections, designated §5-26-9, §5-26-10 and §5-26-11, all to read as follows:
(a) The cabinet shall formulate and implement a pilot plan to encourage the establishment of a system of local starting points family resource centers designed to meet the needs of children and their families. The plan, at a minimum shall provide:
(1) For centers that provide core services to support families, that are developmental in nature, respond to local crises and enhance students' abilities to succeed in school and families in life;
(2) That students and families who are the most economically and socially disadvantaged receive priority status for receiving services when resources are limited;
(3) That the centers are operated in collaboration with local schools, community based organizations and local service providers;
(4) That existing resources be identified and coordinated to avoid duplication of services;
(5) That each center's program follows standard guidelines set forth in this bill;
(6) That centers provide core services the communities need, as indicated by the communities through forums, focus groups and surveys, and which may include:
(A) Developmental programs for children from birth though five years of age, such as, but not limited to, starting points curricula, childcare, head start and public school preschool;
(B) After school programs and educational activities for children and youth such as third base, play group and family times;
(C) Programs to encourage parent involvement as the child's first teacher, such as parents as teachers, MIHOW and healthy families America;
(b) The plan in no way may diminish the opportunities for continuing the development of family resource networks, which may provide planning, coordinating and research to enhance the development of family resource centers.
(a) A grant program is established to provide financial assistance to entities in establishing family resource centers. The cabinet or designee shall award the grants pursuant to this section and reasonable criteria it develops. The cabinet or designee may use any funds made available from state, federal or other source in making grants to a center.
(b) The cabinet or designee shall prepare and make grant applications available through family resource networks to local nonprofit organizations qualified under the Internal Revenue Service provisions of 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), schools and other qualified community-based organizations. The application shall contain detailed instructions. The cabinet or designee shall provide assistance in preparing grant applications to entities requesting assistance. The grant application shall require, at a minimum, that the applicant submit:
(6) A description of how a director and staff of volunteers will manage the day-to-day operation of the center;
(11) A work plan for addressing how it will recruit, train and use volunteers;
(15) A description of self-evaluation procedures the center will use to determine it is meeting its goals and the universal guidelines;
(17) Certification of grant applicant, organization, and tax status.
(c) The cabinet or designee shall establish grant application review procedures and guidelines to ensure that applications for grants are fairly reviewed and scored. At a minimum the cabinet or designee shall provide for grant proposal review teams of diverse individuals. The cabinet or designee shall appoint the reviewers. The reviewers shall review and score grant applications submitted and recommend action. The cabinet or designee shall make the final decision on grant applications. The cabinet or designee shall notify each applicant of the decision on its grant application. Grant scoring procedures shall be made available to all applicants.
(a) The cabinet or designee shall provide, or provide through contract, technical assistance and training for the centers receiving financial assistance. The cabinet or designee shall assist the centers with staff development. The cabinet or designee shall provide centrally located workshops to provide training or other educational assistance for the staff of the centers. Technical assistance and training provided shall be documented and reported to the cabinet or designee. Each grant recipient shall submit a quarterly written report to the cabinet or designee on the status of the center.
(b) The cabinet or designee shall monitor the effectiveness of the programs provided by and the administration of the family resource centers receiving assistance based on grant approval documents and predetermined quality indicators.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families to create and implement a plan to encourage the establishment of family resource centers.