ECEAP Expansion Funding Opportunity Closed on April 12
The Request for Applications (RFA) for the first round of ECEAP expansion funding and for Complex Needs Funds for the 2026-27 school year closed on April 12. The application review period will continue through May 1, and contracts will be awarded by July 1. Thank you to all our current contractors who considered and thoughtfully applied for expansion and CNF. We will have an opportunity to discuss this process and next steps at our May Director’s Meeting.
ECEAP Listening Sessions
Child Care Aware of Washington (CCA of WA) will be hosting listening sessions on ECEAP Expansion with early care and education providers over the next few months. Kim Burgess Simms, ECEAP Senior Administrator, will provide updates on ECEAP expansion and share resources on how to become an ECEAP provider. The purpose of the listening sessions is to gather information for DCYF’s ECEAP expansion planning – listen for ideas, barriers and supports needed, navigation challenges, etc. Dates and locations will be shared by the CCA of WA Member Council.
ECEAP Pre-K Saturation Study Published on March 16
The Saturation Study estimates the number of income-eligible 3- and 4-year-old children in each school district and measures how many are currently served by publicly funded preschool programs. This study is one source of information DCYF uses to assess appropriate locations for ECEAP slots. ECEAP contractors may also use this study to inform decisions about ECEAP expansion and moving existing ECEAP slots to communities with high needs.
This year’s study includes key improvements to how districts are categorized, using more precise and up-to-date data. With support from DCYF’s Office of Innovation, Alignment, and Accountability (OIAA), the study incorporates new data sources while removing outdated or less reliable information, resulting in a more accurate description of preschool availability and unmet need across Washington.
Updates to ECEAP Requirements
The newly revised Chapter 110-425 Washington Administrative Code (WAC) for ECEAP went into effect April 9, 2026. The 2026-27 ECEAP Performance Standards were updated and are available on the ECEAP Contractor page under Laws, Rules and Standards. We also included a Training Copy that has updates highlighted.
Please register to attend a live overview of the 2026-27 ECEAP Performance Standards on Friday, May 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom.
Nominations for the ELAC Pre-K Promise Subcommittee due May 20
Nominations are open for the Pre-K Promise Subcommittee. This group will provide an external perspective and expertise to inform DCYF ECEAP expansion plans. The group will consist of representatives from key advisory bodies and partner organizations to include an array of unique perspectives on expansion approaches, implementation challenges, and opportunities.
ELMS Update: The 2026-27 School Year is now available
The 2026-2027 School Year is now available in ELMS! Please check the for information and updates.
New ECEAP Campaign Toolkit to Support Recruitment Eligibility & Enrollment
Check out the new ECEAP Campaign Toolkit with downloadable resources for recruitment and informational videos – now available on DCYF’s Recruitment Eligibility and Enrollment webpage!
ECEAP Campaign Toolkit: English | Spanish | Somali
- Ready to Use Materials include:
-
Free Quality PreK Flyer & Poster(Multiple Languages)
-
ECEAP Recruitment Flyer(Multiple Languages)
-
Tribal ECEAP Recruitment Flyer(English)
-
ECEAP Overview Fact Sheet(English, Spanish, Somali)
-
ECEAP Comprehensive Services(English, Spanish, Somali)
-
ECEAP Family Support Services(English, Spanish, Somali)
-
Toothbrushing Makes a Difference(English, Spanish, Somali)
-
Family Style Meals(English, Spanish, Somali)
- Informational Videos
- Social Media Graphics - Download graphics(English, Spanish, Somali)
Recruitment, Enrollment and Eligibility Spring Training
We’re excited to announce an upcoming in-person Recruitment, Enrollment and Eligibility (REE) training. Join us for a full day of learning, collaboration, and practical strategies you can take back to your programs. This training will be a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, sharpen your practice, and walk away with actionable recruitment plans for the year ahead.
If you are new to REE work, you may find it helpful to complete the ECEAP Eligibility and Enrollment Training in advance.
Upcoming Spring Training dates:
-
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
-
Time: Check-in at 8:30 a.m.; Session 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-
Location: Kent DCYF Office, 1313 W Meeker St, Suite 100, Kent, WA 98032
-
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FD6JMNR
-
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
-
Time: Check-in at 8:30 a.m.; Session 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-
Location: Olympia DCYF Office, 1500 Jefferson St SE, Olympia, WA 98501
-
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F9XVCHC
Training Opportunities and Support
ECEAP On-Demand Training in the DCYF LMS
Access trainings by visiting dcyftraining.com. Create an account if you don’t already have one. Use the catalog to select your role and choose ECEAP as the topic to see the trainings available. Trainings include:
- ECEAP Foundations
- ECEAP No Expulsion: Overview of ECEAP’s no expulsion policy and practice
- ECEAP ELMS Documentation
- ECEAP Recruitment, Eligibility and Enrollment: Overview of recruitment and enrollment in ECEAP
Recruitment, Eligibility, and Enrollment (REE) Staff Check-In
Check-ins are hosted by the DCYF REE team and involve informal conversations, questions, and celebrations related to recruitment, eligibility, and enrollment.
- Next meeting is May 7, 2026
- First Thursday of each month from 9 to 10 a.m., August through June
- Join at REE Staff Check-Ins
Mobility Mentoring® Monthly Webinar
Family Support Staff Check-In
Las Pláticas De El Puente
This monthly check-in is offered in Spanish only.
Mobility Mentoring® Online Foundations Course
This course is available for all family support staff to access at no charge. It is designed for learners to see Mobility Mentoring® in action, learn about intentional practice, and prepare them to use the coaching approach. The course is broken into four modules that take between 8-10 hours to complete. If you are new to the platform, you must first click the button that says, “sign up.”
Mobility Mentoring® Foundations Monthly Reflection Session
Completion of this session is mandatory to receive STARS credit. After successful completion of the Mobility Mentoring® Foundations Course, you will need to attend one reflection session to receive STARS credit.
Mobility Mentoring® Workgroup
DCYF ECEAP is initiating a workgroup to review and enhance the language used in the Mobility Mentoring bridge form. We are seeking your perspectives, expertise, and recommendations to ensure the updated wording reflects the collective knowledge of our team.
- Next meeting is May 11, 2026
- Second Monday of each month, from 9 to 10 a.m., February through May
- Join at MM The Bridge Workgroup
Health Coordinator Check-In
Join us for the Health Coordinator check-ins as we discuss trends, share resources, and plan for the coming year.
Teaching Strategies ECEAP Office Hours
Register to attend Teaching Strategies ECEAP Office Hours. Register in advance and attend to get answers to your specific questions about any of your Teaching Strategies digital resources.
ReadyRosie for ECEAP - How to Get Started
Join us to learn how to get started with ReadyRosie! This session is for administrators and educators new to ReadyRosie or those needing a refresher. In these sessions, we'll cover: What is ReadyRosie? How to invite families to join, share customized content, communicate with families, and read data.
Join the Webinar | Working Connections Child Care Updates
The 2026 legislative session included significant changes to Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) policy and rates. DCYF is hosting webinars to share updates on these changes, what we know about implementation to date, their impact on providers participating in WCCC, and to hear provider questions.
Providers are invited to join one of the following sessions at their convenience:
If you cannot attend the live webinar, slides from the presentation will be available on the DCYF Government Affairs webpage a few days afterward.
Spanish and Somali interpretation will be available for this webinar. For questions, please email dcyf.earlylearningengagement@dcyf.wa.gov.
DCYF Early Care and Education Newsletter
This monthly newsletter informs, educates, and inspires child care providers, professionals, and advocates. In case you missed it, check out the December/January issue. Read previous issues on the Engagement Efforts Newsletters webpage and subscribe at Early Care and Education Newsletter.
Trainings, Seminars, and Resources Offered by External Partners
Publish your profile for Child Care Aware of Washington’s new Child Care Finder Tool
We encourage you to engage with Child Care Aware of Washington’s (CCA of WA) new Child Care Finder platform – a newly enhanced early learning search tool for families that gives providers the power to manage their listings, market their business, and fill their vacancies. With updated features such as real-time openings and location mapping (for providers who publish their profiles), families will more easily find the care they need.
You may have already received an invitation from CCA of WA. When you log in, you can choose whether to make your profile public, update your listing to include photos, your care philosophy, openings, and more.
If you take no action before Child Care Finder launches this summer, your profile will not appear in referral lists or search results. You will still be able to publish your program’s information at a later date. Please visit the Provider Resources page on the CCA of WA website to access to quick-start videos, step-by-step instructional guides, and more. For provider questions and assistance please contact providersupport@childcareawarewa.org.
Watch Me Grow Expands Outreach for Children Up to Age 10
In March 2026, Watch Me Grow Washington began sharing new health and safety materials, including immunization information, with parents and caregivers of children ages 7 through 10. Based on evaluation and community feedback, families expressed interest in continuing to receive Watch Me Grow content beyond age 6. These new resources help fill a critical gap by providing evidence-based, age-appropriate guidance throughout the school-age years.
WA Pyramid Model Training
The Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP in partnership with the Head Start Collaboration Office and Cultivate Learning are providing WA Pyramid Model Training for Head Start and ECEAP education leaders, coaches, teachers, and trainers interested in the train-the-trainer.
- May 18-19 in Renton at Puget Sound ESD, or
- June 1-2 In Yakima at ESD 105
- Register at WA Pyramid Model Training
- Cost is $99 + tax/fees
Building Blocks Training
The Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP in partnership with the Head Start Collaboration Office and Cultivate Learning are providing Building Blocks Training online for leaders, coaches, teachers, and anyone interested in Pre-K inclusion practices.
Questions?
Email questions about newsletter topics to eceap@dcyf.wa.gov or your Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist.
For additional information about ECEAP or the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), please visit our Contractor webpages.
|
