The bill aims to improve youth mental health and well-being in Washington schools by increasing the number of school social workers and enhancing their roles within the educational system. It addresses the concerning rates of school refusal and mental health issues among students by proposing to raise the ratio of school social workers to students to meet the national recommendation of one social worker for every 250 students, compared to the current ratio of one for every 3,798 students. Key amendments include redefining the responsibilities of school social workers to focus on mental health services such as crisis intervention and trauma-informed care, while removing outdated language regarding their duties. The bill also encourages collaboration among school social workers, educators, families, and community organizations to foster inclusive learning environments and reduce absenteeism.

Additionally, the legislation mandates specific staffing allocations for qualifying schools, ensuring adequate support for student welfare, and tasks the superintendent with funding allocation based on the actual ratios of staff to students. It prioritizes funding for those with valid educational staff associate certificates and requires the development of rules for utilizing increased funding to support staffing, prevent layoffs, or raise salaries for paraeducators and other support staff. The bill also outlines minimum staffing allocations based on student enrollment and emphasizes the need for supplemental instruction for students not meeting academic standards, particularly in schools with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Biennial reviews of the funding distribution formula by the superintendent and governor are included to ensure responsiveness to the needs of schools and students.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.410.044, 28A.320.280, 28A.310.235