DCYF Distributes Over $386 Million to Child Care Providers Across WA State
Olympia, WA – In the last 14 months, Washington’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) distributed more than $386 million through five grant programs to providers and child care workers to promote equity, improve support for children with developmental delays, and help to retain a high-quality workforce.
“These grants represent a historic investment in child care for Washington families and kids that were made possible through the Fair Start for Kids Act and federal pandemic aid,” said Nicole Rose, DCYF Assistant Secretary of Early Learning. “With these grants, Washington is building a strong foundation in its child care and early learning system to support healthy growth and development in school and life for children from birth through age 8."
5,375 licensed child care providers received at least one grant, which is 95% of the total number of licensed providers. In addition, 18,300 child care workers received a one-time, $700 retention bonus.
“We are extremely grateful for the monies we have received from DCYF. It has kept our doors open and given us a path to giving our staff bonuses and more equitable pay, which we would never have been able to do before the pandemic,” said Kathy Stanley, Director and Owner of KIDSPACE Child Enrichment Center in Vancouver. “Now, we have a happy, amazing staff, and a program that is stronger and improved due to your willingness to fight for the Early Childhood Education professionals.”
More about the five grants:
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Child Care Stabilization Grant - As a result of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, grant funds were available to help stabilize, support, and grow the diverse early learning workforce to rebuild a stronger child care system and expand access to affordable, high-quality child care. This one-time, non-competitive grant was available to licensed and certified child care providers, and license-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers. DCYF awarded $363,355,750 to 6,852 applicants.
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Workforce Retention Grant - To be responsive to workforce retention concerns and help providers retain their staff, DCYF offered a workforce retention grant. Providers used these funds to provide one-time payments to their workers in eligible roles. DCYF distributed Workforce Retention Grant funds to 3,623 licensed providers, representing over 18,309 unique, verified workers. $12,816,300 was distributed, amounting to $700 per worker.
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Child Care Complex Needs Fund - The Fair Start for Kids Act, passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021, directs DCYF to create a Child Care Complex Needs Fund for child care. The fund is intended to promote inclusive, least restrictive environments, and support providers serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral needs, or other unique needs. Round 1 of the Complex Needs Fund opened on May 10, 2022, and closed on June 21, 2022. DCYF awarded $7.38 million in funding to 131 applicants. The Complex Needs Fund opened for a second round, and applications are currently under review.
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Early Childhood Equity Grant - The Fair Start for Kids Act, passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021, directs DCYF to distribute funds to support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state. The funds are distributed through the Early Childhood Equity Grant. Early Childhood Equity Grants are intended to serve as a step toward expanding access to early learning statewide and transforming Washington's early learning system to make it more inclusive and equitable. Round 1 of the Early Childhood Equity Grant opened on June 28, 2022, and closed on Sept. 16, 2022. DCYF awarded $1.7 million in funding to 34 applicants. A second round of the Early Childhood Equity Grant will open in late winter 2023.
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Early Achievers Needs-Based Grant - Needs-Based Grants are available for improving program quality. Grants may be used to assist with purchasing curriculum and instructional materials, supplies, equipment, focused infant-toddler materials, environmental improvements, minor renovations to the child care facility, supports and materials, or services for care of children with special needs, or other items to support quality. The Needs-Based Grant application is available each fiscal year. So far in Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023), DCYF has awarded $1.2 million to 1,204 applicants.
Washington State has committed to creating an integrated child care and early learning system for kids from birth through age 8. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is ensuring child care and early learning opportunities are more available to Washington families by expanding access, capping co-pays, and providing resources to support early learning providers and its workforce.
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Contact:
Jason Wettstein, Director of Communications | jason.wettstein@dcyf.wa.gov | 360-464-0294
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