EARLY LEARNING ACTION ALLIANCE
Who We Are
The Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA) is convened by Children’s Alliance. We are a broad coalition of organizations representing a diverse array of Washington nonprofits, professional associations, businesses, and industries. ELAA is united by the belief that all children in Washington state deserve to have the opportunities and support they need in their first five years of life to be prepared for school and a bright future.
Our Priorities
We need evidence-based policies that will give all young children the skills they need to start school ready to succeed. These policies should support parents as their children’s first and most important teachers and provide a range of culturally relevant support services to families who need them.
A range of top quality child care, family care and preschool options must be available to all families. Professional development opportunities must be accessible to the thousands of child care professionals across the state. Together, we can help make Washington state a place where all families and young children have the opportunities they need to thrive.
Our Policy Agenda
Our 2024 Legislative Agenda includes the following asks for lawmakers:
Increase funding for Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (Holding Hope);
Expand eligibility for ECEAP and Early ECEAP;
Make child care work for families as outlined in the Department of Children Youth and Families decision package;
Improve Paid Family Medical Leave and Sick Leave;
Expand Working Connections Child Care eligibility;
Address the child care workforce crisis by revising education requirements
Eliminate licensing fees for child care providers;
Enact a wealth tax on Washington’s richest residents.
Our Members
Membership is open to any organization that agrees with our mission and guiding principles and is not a target of our advocacy at the state or federal level. For membership details, please read the Early Learning Action Alliance Charter (PDF).
To learn more about membership, please contact Emily Mikkelsen, Early Learning Policy & Coalition Manager.
The Early Learning Action Alliance is convened by the Children’s Alliance.
The Arc of King County * Child Care Action Council * Child Care Aware of Washington * Child Care Action Council * Child Care Resources * Child Haven * Children’s Alliance * Children's Campaign Fund * Children’s Home Society of Washington and Trust Foundation * Children's Therapy Center * Columbia City Consulting * Committee for Children * Community Day Center for Children, Inc * Early Care and Education Consortium * Economic Opportunity Institute * Educare Seattle * First 5 FUNdamentals * Foundation for Tacoma Students * Help Me Grow Pierce County * League of Education Voters * Mission: Readiness * MomsRising * Neighborhood House * Nurse Family Partnership * Partners for Our Children * Project Child Success * Puget Sound Educational Service District * Ready Nation * Save the Children * Save the Children Action Network * School’s Out Washington * Sound Child Care Solutions * Southeast Seattle Education Coalition * Start Early * Teach for America - Washington * Tiny Trees Preschool * United Way of King County * United Ways of the Pacific Northwest * Washington Association for the Education of Young Children * Washington Association for Infant Mental Health * Washington Childcare Centers Association * Washington Federation of Independent Schools * Washington Home Visiting Coalition * Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility * Washington State Alliance of YMCAs * Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP * Washington State Budget & Policy Center * Washington State Community Action Partnership * Washington STEM * Washington Communities for Children * Washington State Parent Ambassadors * WithinReach