Panel hears bill to create Pre‑K Promise account to accept philanthropic funding for ECAP expansion

Staff briefed the committee on engrossed Senate Bill 5,872, which would create a Pre‑K Promise account to be used exclusively for the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECAP). Jordan Clark said the account would accept gifts, grants and donations, not be directly appropriated (subject to allotment procedures), and that only the DCYF secretary may authorize expenditures. Clark noted the Ballmer Group has committed to funding up to 10,000 additional ECAP slots over the next 10 years, and DCYF estimated initial staffing costs to track deposits and ensure compliance at about $294,000 in the current biennium and $217,000 per year thereafter.

Multiple witnesses testified in strong support, stressing rural access challenges. Andrea Carrillo (Grant County Coalition for Health Improvement) said lack of childcare is a major barrier to employment and that the account provides an "accountable solution" to expand capacity. Jess Russell (Okanogan Coalition for Health Improvement) said philanthropic deposits would allow rural communities to recruit providers and add classrooms. Leslie Dezano, who described long engagement with pre‑K policy, said the account would let the state accept Ballmer Group funding to help meet a longstanding promise to expand pre‑K. Karen Mattson (Snohomish County Human Services) said Snohomish County manages about 1,440 ECAP slots and urged support to expand both school‑based and licensed child‑care slots.

Supporters urged passage on the grounds that the account would allow targeted philanthropic investment and increase ECAP capacity, particularly in rural areas.