Last month, Washington State passed legislation that will make childcare more accessible and affordable for families across the state. The Fair Start for Kids Act takes a multi-pronged approach at solving the child care crisis in Washington state. Overall, the bill will aim to achieve:  

• Reduce copays and expand eligibility for the Working Connections Child Care and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance programs. 
• Make capital investments to expand existing child care facilities and build new facilities. 
• Strengthen child care programs by expanding access to support services, mental health consultations, dual language supports and more. 
• Grow recruitment and retention for child care businesses by increasing subsidy rates, expanding access to health insurance for providers and providing resources for professional development. 

Here in Snohomish County, I secured nearly $80 million for early learning efforts over the next decade and am currently working to establish an early learning advisory council that will provide feedback on best regional approaches to create long-term solutions within the early learning sector. I am proud and honored to be leading this effort in Snohomish County and I will keep you updated as we proactively work towards a more equitable early education systems for all of our children.   

In a continuation of our Civil Discourse Tour and in collaboration with the Mill Creek Junior State of America, myself and Councilmember Nate Nehring will participate in a Town Hall event focused on the importance of having meaningful discourse with people in our community even when we may disagree. This is a series of events that we are hosting mainly to encourage our youth to engage in meaningful and respectful political conversations but are open to everyone. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to my office and we will provide you with RSVP information, or you can register at the following link. Additionally, I’ve included a link to the comment piece that myself and CM Nehring co-wrote titled It’s Up to Us to Chart a Path Forward.   

Earlier this month, the County Council unanimously adopted Joint Resolution 21-027, recognizing June 19th, 2021 as Juneteenth Independence Day in Snohomish County. I have included a few great links to learn more about the history and significance of the Juneteenth Holiday, ways to thoughtfully celebrate the holiday with kids, and events happening around the area.  

• The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth 
• 4 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Your Kids 
• Juneteenth Festival of Freedom - The Juneteenth celebration in local Snohomish County communities will be a festival of rich virtual and in-person activities