PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
EARLY LEARNING
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 170-290 WAC, currently working connections child care (WCCC).
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.215.060, section 501, chapter 265, Laws of 2006.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department of early learning (DEL) intends to make changes throughout this WAC chapter, which was moved from department of social and health services (DSHS) chapter 388-290 WAC to DEL chapter 170-290 WAC in 2008. More than one rule proposal may be filed to complete this process. Among the revisions being considered are:
| • | Increasing child care copayments for the WCCC program in accordance with the governor's budget-related policy directives; |
| • | Replacing obsolete references to DSHS rules, names and programs with the current DEL information; |
| • | Combining WCCC rules with the seasonal child care subsidy program rules into chapter 170-290 WAC and repealing all sections of chapter 170-292 WAC; |
| • | Assuring that the rules are consistent with the applicable law, federal requirements, and the child care collective bargaining agreement; |
| • | Reviewing other policy options in rule to increase program effectiveness and efficiency, or as directed by the legislature or the governor; and |
| • | Making other changes to make the rules clearer. Chapter 170-290 WAC may also be reorganized and renamed in this process. |
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: DEL plans to coordinate adoption of the rule with DSHS and the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as appropriate. DSHS currently implements the WCCC program based on the rules and policies adopted by DEL. DEL follows federal laws and DHHS child care development fund rules in implementing DEL child care subsidy programs.
Process for Developing New Rule: To the extent possible, DEL plans to circulate draft rules for informal input before filing a formal proposal. When the formal proposal is filed, DEL will hold a public hearing or hearings and take written comments on the proposed rules before adopting the permanent rules.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting DEL by e-mail at Rules@del.wa.gov, by phone at (360) 725-4397, or by writing to the DEL Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970. Information about this rule process will also be posted on the DEL web site at http://www.del.wa.gov.
February 3, 2009
Karen Tvedt
Interim Director