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Early learning advocates press Senate to protect ECAP, child care expansion and mental health consultation funding
Summary
Early learning providers and advocates told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that proposed reductions to some ECAP and early childcare investments will hurt the most vulnerable children and stressed maintaining rate increases and mental health consultation supports.
Early learning organizations and providers testified at the Senate budget hearing asking lawmakers to sustain investments for infant/toddler programs, ECAP slots, provider rate increases and infant/early childhood mental health consultation.
Speakers including representatives of the Imagine Institute, Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP, Early Learning Action Alliance and multiple early childhood mental health consultants urged restoration of program funding and swift implementation of rate increases for Working Connections Child Care. "This 500,000 will open 18 child care businesses with capacity to serve nearly 220 children and create up to 54 new jobs," said Ida Rodriguez for the Imagine Institute describing a smaller appropriation in the chair's proposal.
The nut graf: witnesses thanked the committee for rate increases and modest expansions but cautioned that eliminating early ECAP funding and cutting targeted slots will reduce access for the most vulnerable children, including those experiencing homelessness. Multiple mental health consultants urged preservation of infant and early childhood mental health consultation programs as an evidence-based way to reduce preschool expulsions and support children and providers.
Advocates also asked that the committee maintain the reimbursement rate adjustment for Working Connections Child Care to the 80th percentile of the 2024 market rate survey and implement it quickly so providers can cover costs. Several speakers said reductions in ECAP or early intervention slots will have long-term negative educational and economic effects.
Ending: Early learning witnesses asked negotiators to preserve rate increases, mental health consultations, and targeted ECAP slots and to use progressive revenue to avoid deeper cuts.
