Week 4 of the legislative session reveals significant cuts to early learning programs in Washington state, particularly affecting the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy. This subsidy currently assists over 40,000 families by making child care affordable, enabling parents to work or pursue education. Proposed budget changes include capping the number of households receiving the subsidy at 33,000, pausing new applications from July to December 2026, and imposing an average monthly caseload cap starting January 2027. Additionally, reimbursement rates for providers would drop from 85% to 75% of the Market Rate Value, effective July 1, 2026. These cuts are expected to leave around 11,000 families without access to the subsidy, while those who do qualify will face reduced financial support. The looming changes could significantly impact families’ ability to afford child care and jeopardize the financial stability of child care providers. Advocates are urged to take action before the fiscal cutoff on February 9 to protect this critical subsidy that enables Washington families to work and learn.

Related Events