Getting our state's priorities straight
Over the coming months, our leaders in Olympia will have to make tough decisions about health and human services funding based on Governor Christine Gregoire’s proposed budget. Many programs and services related to early learning will be affected if the Legislature approves the budget as proposed.
United Way of King County supports the governor’s decision to maintain funding for two important programs for young children and their families:
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, a state program which provides free and comprehensive preschool to eligible children.
Working Connections Child Care Program, a child care subsidy program that helps families with lower incomes pay for child care expenses while working, looking for work, or working and going to school.
However, we are particularly concerned about potential cuts to key programs including:
Funding and resources to family, friend and neighbor child care providers (eliminated in 2009-2011 budget).
Funding for home visiting to educate and support parents (eliminated in 2009-2011 budget).
Funding for the Quality Rating and Improvement System designed to improve the quality of care for children in child care centers, school-age programs and family child care homes (funding reduced by $1 million in 2009-2011 budget).
Now is the time to get involved!
Your involvement in the next few months will be critical to the future of children in King County. There are many ways you can make a difference.
Advocate. Sign up for our legislative alerts sent weekly throughout the legislative session with updates and calls to action on legislation. Stay informed and share information with key business and community leaders who can influence public policy to create lasting change.
Donate. When you contribute to United Way of King County, we make sure that we invest your money wisely so that together we create profound and lasting change.
Volunteer. We can connect you with great opportunities to read to kids, improve the quality of child care or support a family or kids in some other way.
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