Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Early Learning & Human Services Committee |
HB 2450
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Supporting the business of child care.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Hargrove, Chapman, Kilduff, Muri, Kagi, Appleton, Tharinger and Doglio.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/17/18
Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).
Background:
The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is responsible for creating a set of core competencies for early care and education professionals and must review and update these competencies every five years. The DEL operates the Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT), an online portal for early care and education professionals to track training and education experience. State-approved training costs for professionals employed in facilities licensed or certified by the DEL may be reimbursed on a first-come, first-served basis.
On July 1, 2018, all powers, duties, and functions of the DEL will be transferred to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) coordinates and directs the state system of public community and technical colleges. Students can earn "stackable" certificates in Early Childhood Education (ECE) at 29 community colleges in the State of Washington. Stackable certificates build off of one another in a sequential order.
Summary of Bill:
The DCYF must collaborate with the statewide child care resource and referral network and the community and technical college system to develop a community-based training module to train child care providers in managing and sustaining a child care business.
The training must be piloted in at least four communities selected by the DCYF and be provided by state approved trainers listed in the MERIT. The DCYF must offer participants with confirmed employment in department licensed or certified facility reimbursement for training, within available funds.
Upon completion of the first cohort of trainees in the pilot and no later than July 1, 2021, the DCYF must offer the training module statewide. The training module must be translated into languages other than English, particularly Spanish and Somali.
The DCYF must work with the SBCTC to review ECE certificates and ensure the delivery of the training, and the implementation of federal Child Care and Development Fund requirements do not create duplication of services.
The DCYF must collaborate with the SBCTC to align and integrate all or parts of the training module with course outcomes in one or more ECE classes and stackable certificates in ECE offered by community and technical colleges. The SBCTC must work with community and technical college ECE programs to incorporate outcomes related to managing and sustaining a child care business by the fall quarter of 2021. The training module must be an elective and not a required course and does not create any new requirements for receiving an ECE certificate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2018.