Uplifting ECEAP: Debi's Story and the Future of State-funded PreK

ECEAP is Washington’s state-funded prekindergarten program that prepares some of the state’s most vulnerable 3- and 4-year-old children for success in school and in life. DEL oversees the program which, since 1985, has focused on the well-being of the whole child by providing comprehensive nutrition, health, education and family support services to Washington’s most at-risk children. 

Debi, an ECEAP mom

To get an idea of the impact ECEAP has on families, experience Debi's story. 

During a time in Debi's life when money and stability were scarce, she found a state-funded program that helped her children thrive. 

Her son's experience in quality pre-K have started them on a positive trajectory that will hopefully lead to bright futures--and her boys have big plans!

See the full story here: Uplifting ECEAP. *Please note there is a transcript in the comments section of the YouTube video.

The future of ECEAP:

DEL recently released a new ECEAP caseload forecast that highlights the number of children who are eligible to participate in, and the number of children actually served by, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).

This report is provided by the Department of Early Learning to describe the February 2016 ECEAP caseload forecast. 

By the 2020-21 school year, all eligible children shall be entitled to enroll in ECEAP, per Washington Legislature.

Added slots:

• 3,300 slots were added to ECEAP in the 2013-15 and 2015-17 bienniums. 
• For the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years, ECEAP has 11,691 enrollment slots. 

Eligible kids:

• In 2015-16, there are 11,955 children eligible for ECEAP who are not served by ECEAP or Head Start. 
• Based on the February 2016 CFC forecast, 6,260 of these would likely participate if space were available. 
• DEL serves 66 percent of eligible children and 79 percent of children likely to participate. 
• By the 2020-21 school year, an additional 7,377 would participate if space is available.

Check out the full report here: ECEAP Caseload Forecast.