In the 2010 legislative session, the legislature approved a new public-private matching fund for home visiting, called the Home Visiting Services Account. The Account was established in the budget which can be found here. The legislature started off the fund with $500,000 (which included $200,000 in new state funds), which will then be matched by Thrive by Five Washington, the state’s public-private partnership for early learning.

Children's Alliance opposes Initiative 1107, an initiative to the state ballot in 2010. 1107 rolls back revenue that is supporting critical health and education services in Washington State. The campaign to oppose Initiative 1107 released this statement in response to the State's analysis of the financial implications of Iniative 1107.

These talking points reflect the goals of the Early Learning Action Alliance to strengthen Washington's childcare subsidy system.

Download the talking points.

The Early Learning Action Alliance recognizes that federal laws and policies have a direct impact on the opportunities young learners have in Washington State.

Read our federal legislative agenda for 2010.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is major federal legislation that provides both funding and policy direction for public education. Reauthorization of the act presents an opportunity to advance early learning. The Early Learning Action Alliance sent a letter to U.S. Senator Murray outlining policy priorities.

Read ELAA's letter to Senator Murray outlining recommendations to advance early learning in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Find out more about what federal health care reform means for home visiting. Lisa Guernsey from the New America Foundation posted this podcast on their blog, Early Ed Watch.

Find the post and listen to the podcast here:

http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogmain

These three documents from the Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA) provide detailed review of key accomplishments in the 2010 WA state legislative session.

Early Learning Action Alliance 2010 Session Review

Provides a review of each ELAA priority and advocacy results. Includes information about  HB2731, SB 6759, HB 2867, and HB 3141.

Early Learning Action Alliance Budget Update - April 2010

Read about the Early Learning Action Alliance Coalition's Positions on the 2009-2011 Supplemental Budget

Parents count on Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) to help them cover the high cost of child care so they can go to work or job training.  If projected cuts to WCCC were put in place, in addition to harming stability and continuity of care for children, it would not result in cost savings. An estimated 25% of WCCC families (325 families) who lose their child care subsidy would be unable to work and would be forced turn to the support of TANF.

Read more about how Working Connections Child Care saves Washington Money

Lawmakers are debating ways to adopt a balanced budget by March 11th—they can either cut services, raise revenue, or do a combination of both. We support a balanced approach that includes significant new revenues. Delaying action is not an option. Read more about why kids need revenue now.