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Eastern Washington outreach rep urges bigger investment in childcare workforce
Summary
Luke Jasmine III, Eastern Washington outreach representative for Gov. Bob Ferguson, said early learning has been underfunded and called for coordinated local and state action to expand child care and after‑school supports.
Luke Jasmine III, Eastern Washington outreach representative for Gov. Bob Ferguson, told Spokane County Spotlight that Washington must increase investment in early learning and support the childcare workforce to help children and parents and bolster the regional economy.
Jasmine said early learning historically received a very small share of the state budget, noting that “we were point 4% of the state budget.” He added that the situation has improved somewhat since then: “I think we’re — we’re 2 now,” (referring to an increase in budget share), and said more investment is still needed to raise kindergarten readiness rates, which he said are roughly 65% statewide.
Why it matters: Childcare supports workforce participation and early childhood development. Jasmine, who co‑owns Parkview Early Learning Center and helped start the Washington Child Care Centers Association, said the region needs a “great childcare ecosystem” and coordinated action from local governments and nonprofit partners such as Priority Spokane.
Jasmine described how his work in classrooms and running a center exposed him to families’ broader needs — housing instability and food insecurity — and led to creation of the Northeast Youth and Family Services Center, which runs after‑school programs and a resource bank. “When you’re caring for people’s children, you really get an insight on their housing issues, their food insecurities,” Jasmine said.
Chris Jordan, Spokane County commissioner and host of the program, noted Priority Spokane has selected childcare as a focus area and said the county will continue to engage with regional partners. The interview emphasized collaboration among municipalities, county agencies and community groups to recruit and retain childcare workers, expand capacity and consider regulatory or incentive changes to increase supply.
Jasmine urged local leaders to keep “all be[ing] at the table” and applauded local nonprofit and county efforts to address food security and access as part of a broader childcare strategy.
Looking ahead: Both speakers framed childcare as a long‑term regional priority that will require sustained funding and cross‑sector coordination to increase capacity and kindergarten readiness.
