 DCYF Submits 2023-25 Biennial Budget and Policy Proposals
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF) 2023-25 legislative proposals have been designed with an over-arching focus on racial equity, observing that children, youth, and families of color are disproportionately involved in our systems.
Our Decision Package Proposals fall into three main categories:
- Ensuring that the many people who work on behalf of Washington families are paid a living wage – to make sure that those working hard to keep a roof over the heads of our clients don’t become clients due to poverty-level wages.
- Items we are requesting because they are the right things to do and are in line with our Strategic and Racial Equity Plan – this includes investment in our state’s child care system, prioritizing prevention efforts, increasing placement stability, and reducing trauma for children and families.
- Items we are required by law to implement, such as a proposal to implement reforms to eliminate the use of hotel stays and one-night placements as required by the D.S. lawsuit settlement agreement.
In addition, you will see asks for continued funding for two critical agency IT solutions, as well as a request for resources to resolve a CCDF audit finding issued by the State Auditor’s Office.
DCYF has also submitted two pieces of Agency Request Legislation:
- Making the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program, which will provide financial support to caregivers who become guardians rather than adoptive parents, available to all families regardless of whether or not they qualify for federal funding.
- A proposal regarding Child Care Background Check and Licensing Fees and Schedules, which will support providers and kin to move successfully through the licensing process.
In total, these requests represent the resources currently needed to better serve Washington’s children, youth, and families. They are also an opportunity to make tangible our agency’s commitment to advancing racial equity and reducing racial disparity in our services and outcomes. Each request was vetted for alignment with the Governor’s priorities, as well as for alignment with our own commitment to DCYF’s strategic priorities. We are confident in the ability of these tools to fill service gaps, to bring us into compliance with legal agreements, and to enable us to fulfill our commitment to the children, youth, and families we serve.
You can learn more about each proposal and find links to the decision packages by visiting the DCYF Government Affairs website. Fact sheets about each proposal will be available soon.
Early Learning Complex Needs Grant Funding Awarded
DCYF continues to implement the Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA), which the Legislature passed in 2021. FSKA has already made an incredible impact on families across Washington, and more families are soon to benefit from this landmark legislation. The ECEAP Complex Needs Grant Fund established by FSKA aimed to support children with developmental and learning gaps who would otherwise start kindergarten behind and continue to fall behind in later school years. DCYF ECEAP had $4.6 million available for the Complex Needs Grant for the 22-23 funding year.
DCYF received 43 grant applications that totaled to $8.3 million in funding requests for critical supports that will help all children across the state achieve learning success. ECEAP awarded all 43 applications, however, applicant requests had to be reduced to meet the $4.6 million available. ECEAP awardees will utilize the funds in the following areas:
- Adding staffing in the classroom: 36 contractors
- Increasing mental health/behavioral: 28 contractors
- Providing supportive and adaptive material and equipment: 33 contractors
- Adaptive curriculum: 22 contractors
- Professional development of providing teacher, coach, and training: 37 contractors
- Filling unique transportation needs: 9 contractors
- Staff travel: 16 contractors
FSKA also created a Child Care Complex Needs Fund, applications for which closed in late June. Open, licensed, and certified child care providers could apply for funding in amounts from $5,000-$100,000 to be used for staffing, therapeutic services, facility improvements to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements, supportive and adaptive materials and equipment, or teacher training.
With over 1,400 applications, the total funding requests exceeded $86 million. DCYF had $1.5 million in available funding for this round of grant applications from the 2021-23 biennial budget. DCYF received approval to use additional Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) funding to increase the Complex Needs Fund Round 1 awards to $7.35 million.
Round 1 total grant awards will fund 132 applications (82 centers and 50 licensed family homes). The largest request was staffing, followed by environment enhancements/ADA requirements (such as quiet, calming spaces and ramps/wheelchair access). The final funding determinations prioritized applications:
- That requested facility improvements to comply with ADA accessibility and/or behavioral needs.
- From providers located in child care deserts and providers serving/located in marginalized, low-income communities.
A summary of the outcomes of the grant cycle can be found here. A second opportunity for child care providers and license-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) to apply will be offered this fall.
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DCYF Launches Grant to Fund Child Care Provider Retention Efforts
The child care system in Washington faces significant challenges. Washington families need child care in order to go to work. The pandemic has very clearly exposed this problem, and the lack of care is creating large challenges for families and for the economy as a whole.
DCYF has launched an approximately $10 million non-competitive Workforce Retention Grant that will provide a one-time payment to on-site workers in eligible roles at DCYF-licensed or certified centers and family home child care providers across the state. This means that child care providers in your districts can soon access resources to support retention efforts.
Each eligible child care worker will receive the same amount. The total amount awarded per licensed child care worker will depend on the total number of eligible employees identified by applicants and verified by the state’s workforce registry, MERIT. Funding is made possible by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The grant application will close on Oct. 20, 2022.
“We know employee retention has been a struggle faced by nearly all industries, including child care,” said Nicole Rose, DCYF Assistant Secretary of Early Learning. “We also know that increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care helps support employee retention overall.”
“We want to acknowledge the important work of the child care industry and support child care providers in their retention efforts as we all work together to increase capacity and build a stronger workforce,” added Rose. “Thank you, providers, for the vital service you provide for children and families across the state.”
How your constituents can access these Resources:
Eligible applicants for the Workforce Retention Grant include:
Licensed or certified child care providers who:
- Are open and serving at least one enrolled child at the time of application.
- Have staff records up to date in MERIT, the state’s workforce registry and official system of record for early learning professionals.
- Have applied for the Child Care Stabilization Grant.
Providers must include the number of eligible staff that work for them. Eligible staff roles include:
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Classroom roles: lead teacher, assistant teacher, aide.
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Administrative roles: licensee, director, assistant director, program supervisor.
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Support roles: Cook, transportation, etc.
- Licensed family home providers, center directors, and any other person or provider licensed by DCYF who works on-site may count themselves as an eligible staff.
- Volunteers, household members, and substitute teachers are not eligible.
The application is available online in the WA Compass Provider Portal. Technical assistance is available for those who wish to apply.
For more information about this grant, please visit the DCYF Workforce Retention Grant webpage.
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