Allows children who would not otherwise qualify for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) to enroll in the program when they have a parent who is a military member and are from a household meeting certain financial eligibility criteria.
Includes factors affecting households with a military member parent in the prioritization system for enrollment in available funded ECEAP slots.
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a no-cost preschool and family support program administered by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
Standard Eligibility Criteria for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.
A child is eligible for the ECEAP when they are between the ages of 3 and 5 and:
"Family with financial need" means families with incomes at or below 36 percent of the SMI until the 2030-31 school year. Beginning in the 2030-31 school year, it includes families with incomes at or below 50 percent of the SMI.
Starting in the 2030-31 school year, the ECEAP will become an entitlement for eligible children meeting the standard eligibility criteria.
Additional Allowed Enrollment in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.
The DCYF is authorized to enroll additional children in the ECEAP who do not meet standard eligibility criteria, as space is available, if their family income level is above 36 percent of the SMI, but at or below 50 percent of the SMI, and the child meets at least one specified risk factor.
The DCYF may also allow 3-year-olds who do not meet standard eligibility criteria to enroll in the ECEAP, as space is available, when they are only ineligible because they did not turn age 3 before the start of the school year, or when they:
Children enrolled in the ECEAP under allowed enrollment criteria are not included in the upcoming entitlement.
Prioritization for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program Slots.
Children who qualify for the ECEAP under standard eligibility criteria are prioritized for enrollment in the program. Children eligible under the allowed enrollment criteria are prioritized for available funded slots according to a DCYF prioritization system that considers risk factors that have a disproportionate effect on kindergarten readiness and school performance, including:
Working Connections Child Care Income Eligibility.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) is a program that provides subsidies for child care while a parent is working or participating in approved work-related activities. Families are eligible for WCCC benefits when they have a household income at or below 60 percent of the SMI, adjusted for family size. Beginning July 1, 2029, eligibility will expand to include households with an annual income at or below 75 percent of the SMI, adjusted for family size, and again July 1, 2031, if funds are appropriated, to households with an annual income of up to 85 percent of the SMI, adjusted for family size.
The ECEAP allowed enrollment categories are expanded to include children who have a parent who is a military member and also have a household income that is at or below the maximum household income for WCCC eligibility. Military members include any of the following who are either stationed in or a resident of Washington:
The DCYF prioritization system for enrollment in available funded slots must take into account factors affecting households with a military member parent. These additional factors include: (1) having a military member parent who is currently deployed or will be within the current school year, was deployed within the last 12 months, or has been deployed for a total of 19 or more months during the child's lifetime; and (2) circumstances in which the military member parent is a single custodial parent.
The substitute bill:
(In support) The economy depends on families having access to child care. Military families are no different. Three factors are affecting the satisfaction and readiness of military members, which are housing, child care, and employment. This bill will help with one of those factors, providing critical child care access. Further, it will improve national security by making sure kids stay in school, out of trouble, and physically fit. Currently, many kids cannot join the military because they lack a high school diploma or adequate entrance exam score, or they are obese. The ECEAP is foundational for kindergarten readiness and family wellbeing, and helps prepare children for better success in school and on time graduation. Many of these families have a family income that is too high to qualify under standard criteria, but cannot afford market rate child care due to high rent and costs, and spousal employment instability due to frequent relocations. The bill does not change the standard eligibility criteria for the ECEAP or affect the state budget, but it allows military families who would not otherwise qualify to participate in the program when there are available slots.
Military families face unique challenges that contribute to their need for comprehensive support. They are often away from extended family, and face deployments and unusual work schedules. Relocations every two to three years require them to have to rearrange for child care. Many face food insecurity. All of this contributes to heightened levels of stress and negative impacts on children. Symptoms of depression and concerning behaviors can be seen even at 3 and 4 years old. This bill contributes to military readiness, and recognizes the great sacrifices of military families and their contribution to critical infrastructure. Military families have been greatly benefitted by comprehensive early learning and family support programs, particularly single parent families. It is appreciated that once a child has an ECEAP slot they can keep it until kindergarten, and will make a radical difference for families.
(Opposed) None.
Representative Mari Leavitt, prime sponsor; Joel Ryan, Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP; Alex Galeana, Children's Campaign Fund Action; Kristin Wiggins, Mission: Readiness WA; Maria Tobin, South Sound Military and Communities Partnership; Mark Geri; Matthew Shillingburg, Veterans Legislative Coalition; and Lori Pittman, Puget Sound ESD.