Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Achievers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DCYF details Early Achievers updates and new dual‑language designation funding
Summary
DCYF’s Early Achievers team reported higher participation than ever, clarified recognition timelines and Merit automation, and explained a dual‑language designation (launched 2023) that provides $2,100 per site for dual language programs and $2,500 per site for tribal language revitalization programs accessed during the Early Achievers recognition cycle.
Diana Stokes, Quality and Access Administrator at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and Eleanor Lauele Fue, CARES/QRIS manager, outlined changes and supports in the Early Achievers system meant to simplify participation and strengthen quality recognition and improvement.
They emphasized that Early Achievers is now framed as a Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) with three key partners: DCYF (system and policy), Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington (assessment and recognition), and Child Care Aware of Washington (coaching and improvement). The program offers no‑cost coaching, technical assistance, scholarships, tiered reimbursements, and quality improvement awards to support providers on a continuous improvement path.
Eleanor explained participation rules and timelines: programs receiving subsidy must enroll in Early Achievers within 30 days of receiving their first subsidy payment; submitting a request for quality recognition in Merit starts the recognition cycle; non‑ECAP providers must finalize at a quality level 3 or higher within 30 months, while ECAP programs must finalize at level 4 within 20 months. Merit will auto‑finalize quality levels when a due date is reached and will now issue certificates automatically.
On dual language and tribal language revitalization, DCYF said the designation recognizes programs that teach in more than one language or are engaged in tribal language revitalization. The agency reported over 1,400 designation requests to date (193 centers and 1,275 family homes) and said funding tied to the designation is accessed through the Early Achievers recognition cycle: dual language programs may receive $2,100 per site and tribal language revitalization programs $2,500 per site.
Presenters described required recognition components (program profile, video highlights in each classroom, family engagement component for dual language) and noted that video highlights (10–15 minutes) replace in‑room observation; for dual language classrooms, the requirement includes one video in English and one in the partner language. Programs may also submit records review, accreditation and professional development documentation for additional points, but those are not required to reach level 3.
DCYF reported participation numbers: more than 2,224 programs have finalized a quality level, including 186 at quality level 5. The agency described recent system improvements in Merit and CC (Coach & Educator interface) — including auto‑withdrawal for programs that finalized with no points, automated remedial activities, and better timeline visibility — intended to reduce administrative burden and improve data accuracy.
Presenters invited providers to use the Menti feedback loop and to contact Early Achievers staff for one‑on‑one account questions and support.
