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Please note that DCYF is working on revamping its newsletters to ensure content is relevant, useful, and timely for its readers. This issue might look a bit different, but should revert back to the original look in February.
Questions?
Email questions about newsletter topics to eceap@dcyf.wa.gov or to 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.
ECEAP Updates
ELMS Updates and Important Dates
Please check the ELMS News page for additional information and updates. The latest information is always at the top of that page.
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Jan. 15 - ELMS Child and Family Updates, Monthly Report, A-19, ECLIPSE Service Delivery Report
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ELMS Data Entry – Remember to keep ELMS up-to-date. The data is used regularly to monitor compliance with ECEAP requirements, answer questions from legislators and other policymakers, and inform decisions about ECEAP policy. See ELMS Data Entry – Minimum Requirements.
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Monitoring Your 90-day Requirements – For each child, by the 90th calendar day from their start in an ECEAP class, you must complete their vision and hearing screenings; verify their well-child exam and dental screening results; and complete their developmental screening. You must enter each of these results in the ELMS>Child/Family Updates section.
For assistance, email elms@dcyf.wa.gov.
ECEAP Links
Contractors | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Recruitment Eligibility and Enrollment | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
DCYF Opportunities and Support
2025-26 Child Care Complex Needs Fund
DCYF is pleased to announce that the 2025-26 Child Care Complex Needs Fund application is now available. The application period will close at 5 p.m. PST on Jan. 20, 2026.
Eligible licensed, certified, and certified-for-payment-only child care providers and eligible license-exempt Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers can apply in the WA Compass Provider Portal.
The Child Care Complex Needs Fund may be used toward:
- Adding staff members to support children with complex needs, increasing staff hours to support children with complex needs, and up to a $5,000 hiring bonus for new staff that support children with complex needs.
- Facility improvements to comply with ADA accessibility requirements.
- Therapeutic services. Therapeutic services means services offered by skilled professionals, that focus on curative, rehabilitative, preventative or healing practices.
- Supportive and adaptive materials and equipment.
For technical assistance contact information, visit the Child Care Complex Needs Fund webpage. For all other questions, email dcyf.childcaregrants@dcyf.wa.gov.
DCYF Helps You Find Eligible Children
Annually, DCYF provides interested ECEAP contractors and HS grantees with the names and addresses of DSHS client families with children who may be eligible for ECEAP.
If you want to receive this family contact information, please do the following:
- The ECEAP Director or Director’s designee (one person per contract), enters zip codes in ELMS by February 1. To do so, please use the following steps:
- In ELMS, go to the “Locations & Classes” tab
- Click the “Service Areas” link next to your contractor name
- Review and/or add zip codes from which you recruit children for ECEAP
- Answer YES to the question, “Would you like to receive this information for families residing in the zip codes entered above?”
- Enter the name and email address of the person who will act as the contact person for your contract
- Click “Save”
- This same process can be completed for grantees by the Head Start Director on the Head Start tab in ELMS, under Grantee Information
- Complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement for each person who will have access to this confidential information. Email all completed nondisclosure forms to elms@dcyf.wa.gov by February 1.
- If you received data last year, complete a Certification of Data Disposition and email it to elms@dcyf.wa.gov as soon as possible.
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. Read previous issues on the Engagement Efforts Newsletters webpage and subscribe at Early Care and Education Newsletter.
ECEAP On-Demand Training in the DCYF LMS
Sign up for training by logging into your MERIT account and select “Find Training.”
- ECEAP No Expulsion: Overview of ECEAP’s no expulsion policy and practice.
- ECEAP Recruitment, Eligibility and Enrollment: Overview of recruitment and enrollment in ECEAP
ECEAP Coach Check-In
- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- First Friday of the month
- Next meeting is Feb. 6, 2026
- Join at
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.
- 9 to 10 a.m.
- First Thursday of each month, August through June
- Next meeting is Jan. 8, 2026
- 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.
- 9 to 10 a.m.
- Fourth Thursday of each month
- Next meeting has been rescheduled to Jan. 29, 2026
- Join at Las Pláticas De El Puente
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 hosts 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.
- 9 to 10 a.m.
- Second Monday of each month, January through April
- Next meeting is Jan. 12, 2026
- 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 new 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.
Trainings, Seminars, and Resources Offered by External Partners
Brrrring It On! Embracing Cold, Snow and Rain Outdoors with Young Children
No need to stay indoors when facing cold, wet or snowy weather. Learn how to prepare for cold weather play so children can enjoy it in safety and comfort. Learn more and register here.
Coaching for Change: Working Through Resistance
Coaching is one of the most powerful tools to support adult growth and make meaningful changes. Resistance is a natural response to uncertainty, vulnerability or past experiences. In this session, learn to use a fresh and reflective lens on resistance in coaching. To learn more and register here.
Washington State Arts Commission Arts in Education (AEI) Creative Start Project Grant
The Creative Start Grant supports one-year arts-integrated projects that engage preschool through 3rd grade students in learning. It prioritizes students’ creative, academic, and social-emotional development and supports collaboration among early learning educators, schools, families, arts specialists, teaching artists, and organizations.
- Application opens: Jan. 5, 2026
- Application deadline: Feb. 12, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Funding Available: $6,000 or $10,000
More information, grant details and guidelines: Creative Start Grant - ArtsWA.
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