Home Visiting: Improves Lives, Saves Money.
2017-19 Budget Request
Invest $2.7 million in state funding to sustain 210 slots a year ($1.4 million) and expand to an additional 180 slots in 2018-19 ($1.3 million). Download the complete fact sheet (PDF).
Here in Washington, there are 536,427 children age birth through five years; 59 percent of these children live in households where all available parents are currently working. Download the Early Childhood Workforce Index (PDF).
Why has Washington committed to expanding our nationally respected Pre-K program? Because decades of research, including our own Washington State Institute for Public Policy, has shown that it closes race and income gaps, reduces costs in K-12, and puts children on the path to becoming healthy and self-sufficient adults that can strengthen our economy. Download the complete fact sheet (PDF).
Increased investments in our state’s early learning system result in an important increase in quality requirements that support better child development and outcomes statewide. (Download the full PDF.)
National research shows sizable short and long term outcomes of high quality preschool. ECEAP serves our state’s most at-risk children – families below 110% of the federal poverty line, homeless,children with disabilities, and involvement in the child welfare system. ECEAP staff work with children in the classroom to get them school-ready, and work with parents to ensure the child’s health, strengthen parenting skills, and help families to do what is needed to move out of poverty and support their child’s health and education. The results are impressive, and they last.
One in 17 children under 6 in WA are homeless. One hundred sixty four homeless kids are on the ECEAP waitlist. Download the complete fact sheet (PDF).
Workforce study: Washington median annual workforce earnings across prekindergarten and elementary school (PDF).
The mission of the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program is to work with children and families to ensure that they are ready to succeed and thrive in school and life. Since the program is not fully funded, ECEAP prioritizes children at highest risk of school failure, using income and risk factors that have been linked by research to school performance. Download complete fact sheet (PDF).
Our economy requires that 80% of workers obtain post high school education of some kind. This leads to large
gaps in supply of qualified workers. Research shows high quality pre-k improves graduation rates, college
attendance, and the ‘soft skills’ that employers value. Download complete fact sheet (PDF).
Study after study has shown that when kids start kindergarten behind, they stay behind. That’s why the legislature has committed to serving all eligible children who want ECEAP by 2020. Download the complete fact sheet (PDF).
ELAA’s support list is distinct from the coalition’s legislative agenda. This is a list of items that we endorse, but do not lead advocacy or policy on. ELAA members will be notified when there are critical opportunities to support advancement of these issues. View our support list (PDF).
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Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in school and in life, regardless of their race, ethnicity, geography, ability, or family economics. High-quality early learning is a strategy proven to give kids what they need to thrive. Investing in a great start for children yields returns for all of us: more successful schools, stronger families, and more self-reliant adults prepared to contribute to a robust economy.