Our team has been sharing about state budget shortfalls for months now, and the realities of what we can expect from the Legislature arrived recently with the introduction of Senate Bill 5752.
What Would SB 5752 Do?
This bill aims to address the budget crisis through proposed delays/changes to programs within the Fair Start for Kids Act, including but not limited to Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Holding Hope/Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC), and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Many of the proposals included in this bill overlap with other bills, meaning these items will likely be addressed in budget discussions.
*For the “organization” section, feel free to write “child care provider” or “parent” and include the child care program you are associated with. We are not asking for anyone to sign up for verbal testimony at this time; signing in is the best way to help this effort!
What Would SB 5752 Do?
This bill aims to address the budget crisis through proposed delays/changes to programs within the Fair Start for Kids Act, including but not limited to Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Holding Hope/Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC), and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Many of the proposals included in this bill overlap with other bills, signaling to us that these items will be addressed in budget discussions.
Thanks to our partners at Start Early Washington, we can share the below summary of what SB 5752 proposes:
Working Connections Child Care
- Delays income eligibility expansion to 75% of State Median Income from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2029.
- Delays income eligibility expansion to 85% of State Median Income (subject to appropriation) from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2031.
- Removes the ability to waive work requirements for applicants or consumers enrolled in a state registered apprenticeship program.
- Repeals expanded eligibility for applicants or consumers enrolled in a state registered apprenticeship program.
- Repeals expanded eligibility for child care employees.
Working Connections Child Care Co-Payments
- Creates a new co-payment structure.
- New co-payment structure applies to new applicants and re-applicants. This means families currently accessing subsidy will change co-pay structures when they are reauthorized after their current 12-month eligibility period.
- The new structure is based on a percentage of the State Median Income for a household of two multiplied by an escalating percentage up to 6.5%. This new structure includes additional co-payments for each additional child in the household.
- The co-payment does not apply to children in child protective services or student parents.
Changes in Program Funding
- Makes the following programs Subject to Appropriation:
- Trauma-informed care supports
- Infant early childhood mental health consultation
- Dual language subsidy rate enhancement
ECEAP
- Delays ECEAP entitlement from the 2026-27 school year until the 2030-31 school year
- Repeals the Early ECEAP program
The bill contains an emergency clause so its provisions would go into effect July 1, 2025.
Why Do We Oppose SB 5752?
- While we recognize the Legislature is navigating a tough budget year and revenue deficit, we oppose cuts to early learning programs.
- We urge the Legislature to ensure that any changes to WCCC co-pays do not put families in further financial distress.
- We believe the Legislature must maintain child care provider rates to ensure continued operations. This includes rates for Infants and Toddlers, Non-Standard Hours, Infants, and Special Needs.
- BrightSpark operates the Holding Hope Program (Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC)) across King and Pierce Counties. The proposal in this bill to change the way this program is funded would destabilize progress on childhood mental health in Washington.
Your Voice Matters – Take Action
Here are two ways you can take action NOW to tell legislators how important it is that all children can access high-quality early learning experiences.
- Let your legislators know that you oppose cuts to these critical early learning programs. Click here to sign in “CON” to SB 5752.
- Share your truth about your experiences navigating the early learning system by completing Child Care for Washington Campaign’s Storybanking Form.
Get in touch!
Don’t hesitate to contact us at advocacy@childcare.org if you have any questions or want to get involved.
Did you know that Brightspark’s advocacy work is almost entirely funded by donors? Help us continue to organize, mobilize, and advocate for a more equitable early learning system by supporting our Bloom Together Fundraiser today!