Advocacy - Because Everything We Do for Kids Matters!
What's on top right now? 
The 2018 Legislative Session ended March 8. The final budget contains only a few real victories for child care and early learning.
Good News
- A new statewide child care collaborative task force will be created by the Department of Commerce to examine the effects of child care affordability and accessibility on Washington’s workforce and businesses.
- Funding is provided to develop trauma-informed care resources for providers.
- Funding and policy is approved to research nurse consultation supports for providers.
- ECEAP programs were granted additional eligibility flexibility, allowing more rural programs to operate.
- Home visiting is expanded.
- The Early Learning Facilities Grant is funded in the Capital budget.
- Funding is provided to expand the Business of Child Care trainings to help provider small businesses manage the complex business side of their work.
- The Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy program will be consolidated into the new state Department of Children, Youth and Families in 2019.
So-So News
- The state is in position to receive a significant increase in federal child care funding, and the new state budget identifies priorities for that money. The state Department of Early Learning (DEL) is tasked with developing a spending plan that prioritizes increasing WCCC reimbursement rates for those providers that are farthest from market rate and those that provide infant/toddler care.
Bad News
- Zero state dollars are invested in WCCC and Early Achievers, despite the state receiving a windfall of unexpected revenue.
- Outside of home visiting, this budget invests no real new money into child care and early learning.
What You Can Do
It is never too early or too late to let your legislators know you support state investment in high-quality child care and Early Achievers, and in increasing the reimbursement rates paid to providers who accept children on state subsidies/WCCC. Visit our Action Center today to quickly email your representatives.
Did you know business can play a key role in strengthening their workforce today and tomorrow via high-quality child care?
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently released a report, "Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow: The Business Case for High-Quality Childcare," that details how businesses benefit when their employees have access to high-quality child care and the easy things businesses can do to ensure access to affordable child care programs.
"Today's workers need childcare. Tomorrow's workers are in childcare."~ Katharine B. Stevens, American Enterprise Institute, Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow: The Business Case for High-Quality Childcare, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, June 2017
Learn more about how and why Washington businesses are supporting high-quality child care:
- Washington's Workforce Today and Tomorrow - Economic Data Sheet I Haga clic aquí para datos económicos
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Report: Key Takeaways for Washington Business I Haga clic aquí para conclusiones clave para las empresas de Washington
- The Business Case for High-Quality Child Care Talking Points I Haga clic acqí para puntos de discusión para el caso empresarial del cuidado infantil de alta calidad
Find Out About the State of Child Care and Kindergarten Readiness in Your Area
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Greater Spokane area |
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Happening Now in Washington, D.C.
The Child Care for Working Families Act was introduced in Congress last September. Sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Bobby Scott, the bill would help ensure that every family that needs child care has access to high-quality, affordable programs. You can help support the Child Care for Working Families Act by contacting your federal representatives and telling them you support high-quality and affordable child care for American families. Click here to visit Child Care Works and make your voice heard. Read our statement in support of the Child Care for Working Families Act. Lea nuestra declaración en apoyo de la Ley de Cuidado Infantil para Familias Trabajadoras.
Washington's Child Care Providers Under Tremendous Strain
Our child care provider survey on the impact of WA's minimum wage increase shows that child care providers across the state are facing tough times and making tough choices. The impact is greater due to low state subsidy reimbursement rates and the long-term effects of the Great Recession. Click here for results of our survey. Haga clic aquí para obtener información de nuestra encuesta.
Share our fact sheet on the impacts of low state reimbursement rates to child care centers. Comparta nuestra hoja informativa sobre los impactos de las bajas tasas de reembolso estatal a los centros de cuidado infantil. Read warqadda xaqiiqda halkan.
