Committee hears support for expanding early childhood courts from age 3 to 6

Substitute Senate Bill 5149, which would expand eligibility for Washington’s early childhood courts (ECCs) from children under age 3 to children under age 6, drew unanimous public support during a hearing before the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee.

The bill was introduced to the committee by Luke Wickham, committee counsel, who described the statutory framework for ECCs, including required memoranda of understanding with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), a community coordinator, frequent status hearings, family team meetings, individualized case plans for parents and judicial training requirements. Wickham said existing ECCs operate in five Washington counties: Clark, Kitsap, Pierce, Thurston and Spokane.

Supporters told the committee expanding the eligible age range would let courts serve more families using federal grant funding already in place through September…