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On May 20, 2025, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law the 2025–27 state operating budget that included challenging, responsive choices addressing the $16 billion deficit.
Though this approach includes service and program delays, reductions, and eliminations, Washington stays committed to goals set by the Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA), to make child care and early learning more affordable for families, by including necessary new investments and revenue generation.
DCYF is beginning to implement these budget changes. We have communicated our understanding of the impacts with affected families and providers and will continue to share information to address your questions in these uncertain times.
Overview of the State Budget and Impacts on Home Visiting:
- State Fiscal Year 2025 (Current Year): There will be a reduction within the current year budget of $1.25M. This reduction will be funding that was underspent from the allocated/proviso $1M and prior year underspend (HVSA account balance). There is NO impact on HVSA services for this reduction.
- State Fiscal Year 2026 (Next Fiscal Year – starting July 1):
- General Fund State: There is a reduction of $1.5M in the HVSA budget from the SFY25 budget.
- Dedicated Cannabis Fund: There is a 10% reduction in the Dedicated Cannabis Fund.
- TANF: There is no change to total available TANF funding.
- MIECHV: There is an approximately 6% increase in MIECHV funding for SFY26
- State Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027): same funding in SFY27 as in SFY26
What Does This Mean:
As a result of this budget reduction, which is about 10% of the overall state funding HVSA budget. As a result, DCYF has been planning for the implementation of these reductions based on the following principles:
- Minimize service disruptions to families
- Support/stabilize LIA operations and community impact
- Implement standardized caseloads
- Adjust LIA contracts, if possible based on availability of funds and informed by performance
To manage upcoming funding adjustments, DCYF is implementing cost-saving measures across various areas of the agency's budget, including administrative and infrastructure-related supports. While we intend to maintain key supports—including model-specific guidance, CQI activities, foundational training, and data infrastructure—there may be adjustments to the scope or delivery of these supports in the coming year. Once systems contracts are finalized, further information will be shared to describe any impact to LIAs. One other significant change for SFY26, DCYF is removing performance payment as this was 100% general fund state. Programs will continue to collect and review data, there will not be a financial incentive associated with the Performance-Based Contracting measures in SFY26. Additionally, there were three organizations offering the Parents as Teachers program that are discontinuing services in SFY26. While these were mostly MIECHV funded, there was some State General Fund dollars will be absorbed by the overall reduction.
What You Can Expect:
- Starting June 2nd, DCYF will be providing most LIAs with the SFY26 Pre-Contract Questionnaire's and Budget forms. For many LIAs, their budgets will look very similar to their SFY25 budgets. For some LIAs, there will be changes based on MIECHV funding or based on changes to caseload or budget determined through conversations with DCYF.
- For MIECHV Funded programs, LIAs will see a budget increase using a rates-informed approach. Meaning, DCYF is increasing the overall budget based on how close LIAs are to the rate. There are not sufficient funds to pay 100% of the rate, the increased funds will bring LIAs to 75% of the PAT and NFP Rates. Budget increases will depend on how far an LIA is right now from the rate; with greater increases for those further away. For programs that are already at or very near 75% of the rate, there will be a minimum increase of 5% of the operating budget.
- Standardized Caseloads for PAT and NFP: Parents as Teachers will have a caseload of no more than 18 families per parent educator. Nurse-Family Partnership will continue at 25 clients per nurse home visitor. Please note, in prior communication, DCYF shared shifting to a caseload of 21 clients per nurse home visitor. Following communications with the NFP National Service Office and given the delay in implementation of the rate for which is designed at 21 clients per nurse home visitor, DCYF has opted to not move forward with the caseload of 21 clients per nurse home visitor at this time.
Thank you for your patience and continued work to provide this important programming to families during a time filled with overwhelm and challenges.
Please reach out to your DCYF program specialist and/or the home visiting inbox (dcyf.homevisiting@dcyf.wa.gov) with any questions.
*Please note that this is a shortened, high level budget summary. For a detailed overview of budget and policy changes, see the DCYF External End-of-Session Legislative Update Webinar on the DCYF Government Affairs Webpage.
Don’t ask, just tell
Everyone should be free to make decisions about their body without violence, coercion, or external control. Reproductive and sexual coercion is an age-old problem with a new name – someone messing with your birth control or not respecting your choices around reproductive health, of family planning. For survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, the freedom to make decisions around reproductive health allows survivors to write their own futures. Home visitors know that you don’t have to ask or wait for someone to disclose their experience to share information about birth control options and the risks of detection.
WSCADV has created an updated Birth Control Methods poster that focuses on methods that can be used by a survivor who is concerned when their abusive partner is tracking their menstrual cycle or refuses to participate in family planning conversations. You can find the Birth Control Methods on the WSCADV website: “Don’t ask, just tell – You don’t have to ask or wait for someone to tell you, just offer resources and information about birth control.” Scroll down to see the Spanish version of the poster.
Offering resources and information supports a parent’s decision-making and it is not dependent on the parent sharing their experience. Birth control information increases a family’s access to reproductive health options, healthcare, and family planning services.
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Perigee Fund is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity Families at the HEART, a national initiative designed to support the growth of community-rooted mental health models that, once expanded, will increase access for families during pregnancy and early childhood. The initiative invests in approaches uniquely positioned to address the compounding impacts of trauma, racism, and poverty—approaches shaped by community wisdom and implementation practice.
Families at the HEART will make $2.55 million available to fund the expansion of community-based therapeutic and/or somatic models that center the wisdom, experiences, and strengths of families who have been historically marginalized, especially BIPOC families. The intent of this initiative is to transform systems by strengthening the models that are already successfully serving families, models that are teachable, replicable, and accessible.
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Families at the HEART will allocate funding to established therapeutic and/or somatic models which center the wisdom, experiences, and strengths of prenatal-to-age-3 families who have been historically marginalized, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and those impacted by trauma. There must be a demonstrated demand for the model from families and communities and a clear vision for growth and expansion. The model must be supported by at least two funding sources for at least two years and have at least two cycles of data, preferably three.
Families at the HEART will not fund direct service or programs, promotion or primary prevention models, universities or academic institutions directly, capital expenditures, or models that have previously received Perigee funding for model implementation or expansion.
We encourage applications from across all U.S. geographies, including rural, urban, and tribal communities, to ensure diverse regional representation.
Please review the complete eligibility guidelines in the RFP.
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Key Dates
Aug., 15, 2025, 5 p.m. PT | Expressions of Interest due
Mid-September 2025 | Up to 12 finalists invited to interview and participate in the proposal process
Sept. 29 - Oct. 24, 2025 | Virtual interviews conducted
Oct. 31, 2025 (5 p.m. PT) | Completed proposals due
Mid-December 2025 | Applicants notified of award
January 2026 – December 2028 | Grant period
For a complete list of dates, please review the timeline in the RFP.
Your work is making a difference, and now it’s visible for all to see.
HRSA has launched the MIECHV Outcomes Dashboard, providing a user-friendly, interactive way to explore the national and state-level impact of evidence-based home visiting.
Why this matters to you:
- See how the services you deliver contribute to state and national outcomes
- Access clear, visual statewide data to share with community partners and stakeholders
- Use downloadable charts and infographics to highlight our states impact in reports and presentations
Your dedication to families is reflected in this tool, and we invite you to explore it to see how it can support your program, demonstrate your impact with funders and partners, and inform your work with your team.
View the dashboard here: MIECHV
Spread the Word about Free/Low-Cost Child Care: Many families living in Washington state qualify for free or low-cost child care, but they may not know about it. You can help by sharing information with parents, caregivers, and your community. The Washington state Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) has put together a toolkit with ready-to-use materials that make spreading the word easy! Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare/toolkit to access printable flyers, sample social media posts, and email templates. Want to know more about the Working Connections Child Care Subsidy Program? Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare or call 844-626-8687. Help is available by phone in multiple languages.
Child Abuse and Neglect Definition Update: As of July 1, one of DCYF’s primary child welfare WACs, WAC 110-30-0030: Abuse or neglect of children and youth, which shares the definition of abuse and neglect will be updated. These changes were made as a result of Senate Bill 6006 and 5453 which changed legal definitions of child abuse and neglect to include both human trafficking and female genital mutilation. If you have any questions about this change, please reach out to the Policy and Rules Office at dcyf.policyteam@dcyf.wa.gov.
New Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility Opens in WA State: DCYF welcomed the first cohort of young men to Harbor Heights, the state’s newest juvenile rehabilitation facility.
Family First Community Pathway Work: Family First Virtual Listening Sessions: The Family First Prevention Services Team is expanding their focus to "Family First Community-Based Pathways (FFCBP)." These pathways help strengthen families through community-based services that are easy to access, evidence-based, and culture focused. This helps keep them safely out of the child welfare system and provides tools for long-term well-being.
As part of this phase, FFPSA will be engaging communities and Tribal Nations for their experience and feedback on the child welfare system. All are welcome to attend, lived experts (those who have history in and with the child welfare system) will be offered $90 gift cards for their participation. See a list of dates and register here. If you have questions, email dcyf.familyfirstact@dcyf.wa.gov.
As the One Big Beautiful Bill makes it's way through congress, we are learning more about the impacts it might have on Washington State. Current estimates show that over 900,000 Washingtonians would see their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated. The bill would decrease the average monthly SNAP benefit for households by $55.95, from $331.58 per month to $275.63. This
would decrease SNAP benefits spent in grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers in Washington by at least $360,000,000 annually. For more information about the potential impacts on Washington state’s SNAP program, contact Carla Reyes, assistant secretary of the Economic Services Administration.
The Washington State Perinatal Collaborative, in partnership with the Health Care Authority, is conducting a short survey to better understand the state's perinatal mental health workforce (clinicians who support people during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum). They are especially interested in hearing from providers who work with Apple Health (Medicaid) clients. Responses will help identify service gaps and shape strategies to improve care for families statewide.
Are you a licensed or license-eligible mental health clinician in Washington? Do you work with someone who is? Please consider taking or sharing this survey.
What is an Affinity Diagram?
An affinity diagram is a method of brainstorming, taking what might seem like random ideas or suggestions and eventually organizing these ideas into natural groupings. This tool helps to organize a large volume of ideas that might otherwise seem overwhelming. An affinity diagram also allows a group to make connections between ideas, or see recurring themes, in ways that might not seem obvious at first.
Affinity diagrams can also serve to help a group reach agreement by organizing ideas into clearer, easy-to-understand themes. Each member of a team or group should contribute ideas to the best of their knowledge, even if they don't know or understand the full scope of the problem.
Why use an affinity diagram?
- To help organize many ideas
- To help identify central themes in a set of ideas
- When information about a problem is not well-organized
- When a breakthrough is needed beyond traditional thinking
When to use affinity diagrams?
- Use to organize ideas from a brainstorming session
- Use to find themes
Affinity Diagram Steps
- Define the Problem: Write the issue down and post it where everyone can see it and refer back to it throughout the exercise.
- Brainstorm Ideas: Document ideas shared on sticky-notes or on paper, but do not start grouping ideas yet (this will be tempting, as natural groups start to emerge). At this point, your team should feel free to state all ideas, piggyback off of each other’s ideas, and refrain from judgement at this point, be open to all ideas. Record ideas on sticky-notes and post them underneath the problem statement.
- Group Ideas: When grouping, think about similarities and connections. Some ideas might not fit into a clear group, which is just fine - sometimes, these "lonesome" ideas can be just as important to the process.
- Categorize and Reach Consensus: Do you notice interesting patterns? Things that should be changed/rearranged? Does this reflect what you experience? Create headings and place at the top of each like grouping of ideas. It's not unusual to come up with 4-5 main categories, under which ideas are grouped. If you need to, divide big group headings into smaller subheadings for clarity, or place two headings next to each other.
- Finalize: Finalize your diagram and distribute it to team members as appropriate. Make sure your problem statement is included at the top of your finalized diagram, and that headings and subheadings are evident and reflect the group's consensus.
Resource: Affinity Diagram
Start Early invites you to take a brief survey to reflect on your experience and engagement with Start Early Washington Home Visiting supports and services. Your insights will be crucial in helping us improve how our professional learning supports home visiting programs and professionals across the state of Washington. We appreciate your time and thoughtfulness.
About the survey:
- The survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete.
- You can select to take the survey in a different language by clicking the dropdown menu in the top right corner.
- Please note that progress will not be saved if you leave the page before completing the survey.
- At the end of the survey, you have the option to indicate if you are interested in providing further feedback by participating in a focus group.
By checking "I agree" at the beginning of the survey, you consent to Start Early Washington using your responses to:
- Understand how our services have supported you and your program.
- Share aggregate themes about Start Early Washington's impact.
Rest assured, your responses will remain anonymous and will be shared only in aggregate form.
Start Early Washington-Annual End of Year Survey
Home Visitor Peer Connection
Home Visitor Peer Connections provide an open space for home visitors across the state to connect with each other about their work.
In the latest peer connection participants discussed the importance of self-care and taking time off, with participants sharing different approaches to deciding when and how much time to take. The group also talked about team structures and the support they receive in managing their day-to-day responsibilities. Peer connection facilitators also provided a brief overview of the new HVPC structure!
In upcoming peer connections there will be a focus on the Washington state Home Visiting Core Competencies. Competencies are observable actions that require a combination of knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to perform a major task or function in the work setting. Each session will focus on one competency area to support the enhancement of skills, knowledge, and attributes of home visiting work. Participation is flexible—you’re welcome to join sessions as your schedule allows. Each session stands on its own.
Our next session will be held on Thursday, September 25th (10:30-11:30)
Register Here *Note: Peer connections are offered every other month. Upcoming dates will be posted on an ongoing basis.
For more information on specific dates and times, contact Adrienne Matthias (amatthias@startearly.org) or Alex Patricelli (apatricelli@startearly.org) with any questions.
Each month, DCYF ESIT Tribal Program Consultant Brian Frisina will provide a key topic to help support us all in getting to know our Tribal Nations partners better.
This month’s topic is:
Indigenous Nations as Reserved Sovereigns
"The vaccination will come from the same society as the disease." - Leonardo Vitteri
"The Master's tools will never dismantle the Master's house." - Audre Lord
These two powerful and contradictory epigraphs reflect the two dominant sentiments held by a majority of Native nations when they are asked to assess their historic and contemporary political and legal status vis-?-vis the United States. Read full article:
Indigenous nations as reserved sovereigns
THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY with Billy Frank Jr., "The Inupiat, Hanging On at the Top of the World"
Renowned Indian activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Billy Frank Jr. travels to the Native Village of Barrow, Alaska, the "front line" of the climate crisis. This extraordinary special looks at the impacts of the crisis from the perspective of the Inupiat, and how these dramatic changes are threatening a whaling culture thousands of years old (watch time 53:12):
THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY
The Indian Citizenship Act at 100: Indigenous Rights, Indigenous Futures
David Wilkins, University of Richmond, speaks on Indigenous Citizenship Reconsidered (watch time 20:47):
The Indian Citizenship Act at 100
Book Recommendation
Sources
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Indigenous nations as reserved sovereigns, article by David E. Wilkins, Lumbee, Professor of American Indian Studies, University of Minnesota, Updated Sep 12, 2018, Original June 13, 2003, ICT News.
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THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY With Billy Frank Jr. "The Inupiat, Hanging On at the Top of the World", posted to YouTube by Baby Wild Films, Sep. 26, 2012.
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David Wilkins, The Indian Citizenship Act at 100: Indigenous Rights. indigenous futures, posted to YouTube by Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Oct. 1, 2024.
Below are resources and opportunities to engage:
What is Juneteenth?
The holiday's history and significance, explained.
46th President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law and Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. Here's why this once local celebration is significant to U.S. history (watch time 1:46):
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth | Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Join the museum’s Juneteenth celebration – during the entire month of June – and embrace the rich history of Freedom Day each week. Select an Area to virtually explore more:
Juneteenth Smithsonian
More ways to engage
A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng: When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all.
BUILD Resources: Find an extensive list of books and articles on racial justice, diversity and inclusivity, unconscious bias, and much more.
Talking Race With Young Children: Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape, and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children (20-minute listen).
Native Project expands with new campus to support youth and families: The opening of The Native Project's new facility marked a significant milestone in expanding culturally grounded health and wellness services for Native communities in the Spokane area.
Talking Race With Young Children: Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape, and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children (20-minute listen).
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