The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) held its final
meeting of the year on December 5 in Seattle. Regional Advisor Enrica Hampton set an
uplifting tone for the meeting by asking attendees what they are looking
forward to most with the transition to the Department of Children, Youth, and
Families (DCYF). Responses varied, but a reoccurring theme is that many are
hopeful about the positive change the transition will bring for families and
children.
“What I really appreciate about this transition is that the
family is core and central. Research is
showing children and families need to be the focal point and I am glad that
Washington State agencies are responding to that research appropriately,” said Catherine
Duffy, the Developmental Disabilities Community representative.
The meeting progressed with an agenda providing the
opportunity for the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to update attendees on
topics such as the Early Start Act (ESA) Report, Market Rate and Cost of
Quality surveys, regionalization, and general department updates.
Vickie Ybarra, Research Director of DCYF, gave an update
about the ESA report and shared how she and her team are using research and
data to better understand the various factors that are impacting children, families,
and providers in regards to childcare. Some factors that directly link to a
shortage in family home providers was the potential impact of Early Achievers
requirements, providers retiring, and providers exiting because their child has
phased out of the system.
DEL Director Heather Moss responded to the decline of
family home care. “We have not seen a decrease in children served, but a
decrease in family home care. Not a decrease in care, but in choice of care.”
Following the ESA report, attendees had the opportunity to
review and provide feedback on the Market Rate and Cost of Quality surveys. Although
DEL is only required to send out the Market Rate survey, Director Moss
highlighted that by providing both surveys, “It will allow us to quantify what
the market is bearing, versus what providers are charging and allows comparison
for subsidy rate and how we identify them in the future and the costs
associated with licensing and regulatory changes.”
With a goal of having a 75 percent response rate, members of
ELAC stepped up to say they would commit to helping DEL by sharing information
about the survey with providers in their area.
Director Moss gave a brief overview of possible DCYF
Regional Structures and asked attendees how they would like to be involved in
conversations about regions. With a final decision being made by the end of
December many attendees voiced ideas and recommendations such as ensuring that
tribal nations stay intact and perhaps following a structure similar to the Educational
Service Districts.
Following lunch, DEL Assistant Director Frank Ordway took
questions and touched briefly on general DEL updates regarding the Early Childhood
Education and Assistance Program Expansion Think Tank, Early Childhood
Education Workforce Council, Attendance Project, and Negotiated
Rule Making.
To conclude the meeting, attendees were asked about the
development of a reflection report that would highlight all of the work done by
ELAC in 2017. The hope is to develop a report that not only captures the
accomplishments of the group, but can be shared with those outside of ELAC.
