Children’s Alliance is very pleased to see a number of our priorities reflected in 2SHB 1661. This brief outlines the provisions in the legislation addressing Children’s Alliance priorities.
INVEST IN WORKING CONNECTIONS CHILD CARE
From Child Care Aware
The creation of a consolidated Department of Children, Youth and Families is an historic opportunity to improve outcomes for all children, especially those who face barriers to their healthy development and learning.
We support the proposal for a Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), with the following priorities:
Dental therapists can make dental care accessible.
Dental therapists work as part of the dental team to provide routine and preventive care.
Dental therapists can provide care to underserved kids and families in rural, low-income, and tribal communities and communities of color across Washington. They can also bring care to more kids and parents covered by Apple Health, and to those who are uninsured.
Children in Washington need dental therapists.
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is quality preschool that’s good for kids, parents and schools.
Washington has some of the highest child-care (including preschool) costs in the nation. That means some kids, disproportionately kids in low-income families and children of color, miss out on early experiences in preschool that can help them have a great childhood and thrive in kindergarten. ECEAP expands equitable access to high-quality, culturally responsive preschool.
Fact sheet: Invest $1 Million in Reach Out and Read to provide an evidence-based early learning program to 105,000 children birth through five and their families. Download the fact sheet (PDF).
Paid family and medical leave would allow workers to take the time they need for a new child or when a serious health condition strikes. Life is unexpected, but the predictability of paid family and medical leave can help. Download the complete fact sheet (PDF).
Access to paid family and medical leave strengthens our state's investments in high-quality programs (like preschool and childcare), helps close the opportunity gap, and makes it possible for all children and family to thrive. Download the complete fact sheet (PDF).
The Pre-K to Workforce Pipeline: Washington State business leaders know that we need a highly-skilled workforce to compete in the global marketplace.
Draft legislation to address stability in the early learning workforce (PDF).
Access to ECEAP, a program with Quality Early Learning Can Reduce Crime. Download the fact sheet (PDF).