Speak Up for School-Age in WA's Child Care Development Fund Plan
by School's Out Washington |
The Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL) is seeking input on their proposed 2019-2021 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan, the primary source of federal funding for child care subsidies for low-income working families and funds to improve child care quality.
CCDF funds provide access to child care, growth opportunities for providers, supports to child care programs to achieve higher standards, and resources to help families find child care that meets their needs. School-age children make up over 36% of the total receiving child care subsidies, however, school-age child care does not receive this same percentage of resources to support providers.
The good news, you have a chance to weigh in on the proposed DEL plan and make sure that school-age care is represented and our voices are loud and clear that the need for ample, quality care for children does not stop once they start kindergarten. We need to ensure that quality expanded learning programs are supported with a seamless system spanning the school-age years.
Here are a list of ways to share your feedback and get involved:
- April 14, 2018, 2 PM - 4 PM: Tukwila Community Center, Meeting Room A
- April 28, 2018, 3 PM - 5 PM: Whatcom Community College, Foundation Building, Room FND
- May 12, 2018, 1 PM - 3 PM: Heritage University, Smith Family Hall, Room 2388
- May 19, 2018, 1 PM - 3 PM: Clark College, Gaiser Hall, Conference Room 213
3. Comment on the CCDF Plan on DEL's website
Below are some key talking points to help make our case:
- School-age children make up over 36% of children on child care subsidy in Washington
- High-Quality School-Age Child Care supports social-emotional growth as well as expanding learning after school hours and in the summer
- School-Age Child Care providers need and want increased reimbursement rates as well as increased access to the professional development and quality supports necessary to increase positive child outcomes