Invest in Early Learning
As a contractor of ECEAP programs, our educators and staff members at EOCF work tirelessly to identify available resources and customized referrals for each of our program families requiring next-level support. Although early learning educators obtain the same credentials as their counterparts in the K-12 system, their wages are not at parity.
Early Learning providers, educators and families within the programs gathered together to connect at Advocacy Day 2023.
As an agency, we are committed to advocating on behalf of wage increases for our teachers and staff so their salaries are equitable with the K-12 system. In our efforts to do so, we joined WSA and fellow ECEAP contractors throughout Washington State for Advocacy Day at the Capitol Steps in Olympia on January 12, 2023.
During Advocacy Day, EOCF teachers, staff, program children and their parents met with our region’s legislators from the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 49th Districts, all of whom cover EOCF’s program . During these meetings the district legislators let us share about our stories of impact, our ‘why’, and most importantly, what we need to continue the success of our programs.
ECEAP vs. State Funding
ECEAP (pronounced “E-CAP”) is the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program created and funded by the State of Washington to provide wrap-around, holistic support for children and their families to get kids ready for kindergarten and beyond. This program is fit for those who are experiencing developmental hurdles, social-emotional challenges, houselessness, or nutritional barriers that impact a person’s daily well-being.
As a Washington State-funded program, ECEAP is limited to the allowances given by the state legislature, and as of 2023, ECEAP programs are underfunded by at least 40%. This means our ECEAP staff, teachers, and support teams around the State are “often working for salaries that can only be described as close to poverty wages with many of them qualifying for public benefits,” according to the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA).
Current Challenges
“Many ECEAP teachers actually find better paying jobs at Walmart, Target, and fast-food chains or work for the public schools as para-educators,” shares Joel Ryan,
Program parents meet with their district’s representative to share stories of impact and program influence.
the Executive Director at WSA. “This has led to many ECEAP providers being unable to find teachers to work for ECEAP resulting in classrooms that are not open, lower enrollment, constant turnover, and larger than developmentally appropriate teacher to child ratios.”
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted early learning, adding the need for more assistance to work with preschoolers exhibiting challenging behaviors in the classrooms. Increased funding will allow more staff to be in the classrooms to address these challenges and provide for the next generation of leaders.
2023 Legislative Priorities
To continue providing support for our ECEAP children and families and implement the Fair Start for Kids Act, we must prioritize our workforce and ECEAP’s foundational elements to strengthen programs and expand access. In support of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA)’s Legislative Priorities for 2023, we advocate for the following:
- Support our workforce – 40% rate increase for ECEAP. The cost study shows that to pay qualified staff fairly, a 40-43% rate increase is needed. Kindergarten teachers currently make about $20,000 more than ECEAP teachers. Meeting the Fair Start for Kids entitlement requires us to hire quality staff and retain them. We also support a rate increase in ECEAP Part Day slots.
- Maintain and Expand Early ECEAP. With no additional funding, 38% of Early ECEAP slots will be cut. And because demand and need is so high, we support DCYF’s decision package request to increase Early ECEAP funding by $20 million so that we can improve rates and add an additional 172 new families. Early ECEAP fills an important role in providing center-based services for children ages 0-3 to very high need families who need comprehensive supports. It is modeled after the successful federal Early Head Start program.
- Convert part-day to School Day and Working Day slots. More than half of ECEAP’s spaces are part-day, and based on outcomes research and family need we are moving toward a school and working day ECEAP slots. We recommend funding 4000 conversion slots.
- Complex Needs Fund. This fund has been a lifesaver for programs and families facing intense mental health challenges over the last few years. Programs use this grant funding to support additional staff in high-needs classrooms, mental health supports, training and other needs. ($11M, included in Governor’s budget)
- Facilities. Expansion cannot happen without space to open new classrooms. ($50M for ELFF and Renovation fund)
About WSA: The Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA) is a membership organization made up of Head Start and ECEAP providers. We advocate for high quality early learning in Olympia and in DC. You can learn more about us on our web site at www.wsaheadstarteceap.com