HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2024-057Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2024-853
File ID: AB2024-853 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 11/25/2024 Entered by: nervin@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Health Department File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee Final Action: 12/03/2024
Agenda Date: 12/03/2024 Enactment #: RES 2024-057
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: ssimpson@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution supporting the development and implementation of a localized child care provider rate
augmentation and family subsidy program
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
None
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
12/03/2024 Council Public Works & Health RECOMMENDED FOR
Committee APPROVAL
Aye: 3 Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Sent To:
12/03/2024 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Presentation
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 121412024
RESOLUTION NO.
PROPOSED BY: Director of Health and
Community Services
INTRODUCTION DATE:
2024-057
APPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHATCOM COUNTY CHILD CARE PROVIDER
RATE AUGMENTATION PROGRAM, FAMILY TUITION SUBSIDY PROGRAM AND STATE
SUBSIDY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
WHEREAS, since 2017, Council has prioritized services for children and families, beginning with 2017 and
2018 Health board annual focus on early childhood, a 2019 resolution affirming commitment to
Whatcom County's young children and their families, the establishment of a Children and Family Action
Plan in 2020, the formation of the Children and Family Wellbeing Task Force in 2021, and the ordinance
placing the Healthy Children's Fund on the ballot in 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council expressly recognizes that access to affordable, high -quality,
professional child care is critical for the well-being of Whatcom County's children, the economic stability
of families, local economic vitality and the County's overall welfare; and
WHEREAS, it is indisputable that affordable child care provides long-term county -wide benefits,
including improved mental and behavioral health, better early education outcomes, reduced rates of
homelessness, enhanced social skills, greater economic mobility, increased workforce participation,
improved parental mental health, and stronger community cohesion for children, families, and the
community as a whole; and
WHEREAS, many families in Whatcom County, particularly those with low and moderate incomes, face
significant financial barriers to accessing quality child care services, which limits their ability to
participate in the workforce, pursue education, and meet their financial needs; and
WHEREAS, the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce initiated a Whatcom County Child Care Crisis:
Business Impacts report, which concluded that 88% of business experienced at least one challenge due
to child care barriers. Most employers specifically mentioned the lack of child care availability in
Whatcom County and the cost burden this child care insecurity imposes on employees as barriers
affecting their employees work performance; and
WHEREAS, the cost of early learning and care places a significant financial burden on many Whatcom
County families, with only 14.79% of eligible children under five currently enrolled in subsidized child
care through the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program; and
WHEREAS, the high cost of living in Whatcom County as compared to other parts of the state, including
housing, transportation, and basic goods and services, places additional financial strain on families and,
particularly those with young children, making it even more difficult for them to access affordable, high -
quality child care and early learning opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County families earning at or less than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI)for
their family size often struggle to secure affordable, quality child care, spending a disproportionate
portion of their income on child care expenses and often failing to qualify for state assistance,
exacerbating financial instability and limiting meaning opportunities for children; and
WHEREAS, based on the 2022 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Family Income
United Way Report, a family of four with two children in child care making between 75%-85% SMI are
spending 27% of their monthly income on child care.
WHEREAS, the Healthy Children's Fund (HCF) was approved by Whatcom County voters to increase the
well-being of young children and their families by making high -quality early learning and care affordable,
accessible, professional, and high quality; and
WHEREAS, Council passed a resolution accepting the HCF Implementation Plan, which includes strategy
#3: Improve access to early learning and care through subsidies that reduce the cost of programs from
families which are cost -burdened; and
WHEREAS, child care providers in Whatcom County play an essential and vital role in early childhood
development, supporting the community, and contributing to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, child care providers face significant challenges in maintaining affordable services while
ensuring quality care and covering rising operational costs, such as staff wages, facility upkeep, and
regulatory compliance; and
WHEREAS, financial strains on local child care providers threaten their ability to continue offering
quality services, further exacerbating the county's documented child care shortage; and
WHEREAS, child care providers in licensed child care centers who accept WCCC, are reimbursed monthly
at a maximum of $1,9948.76-$1,767.92- for infant and toddler (0-3) care if the child attends every day
that month, but 85% of private pay rates for providing care for that age range is between $2,320.00-
$2,160.00, which creates a minimum monthly revenue gap of $372.00-$393.00 for every child a provider
accepts on state subsidies.
WHEREAS, child care providers can't expand operations and support more families who qualify for State
Working Connections Child Care subsidies without adequate payment for the care they are currently
providing.
WHEREAS, in addition to not receiving adequate reimbursement, childcare providers face other barriers
in serving WCCC, including not receiving reimbursement on days kids don't attend, for example while a
child is out sick. and
WHEREAS, with additional revenue, childcare providers have indicated they will be able to take WCCC
referrals when slots are available, maintain their current WCCC slots, and consider how to expand
operations.
WHEREAS, the Healthy Children's Fund strategy outlines specific objectives to complement state
subsidies, increase family enrollment in WCCC, and augment local child care provider rates for the
costliest age groups; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes that a program providing subsidies to low to
moderate income families and supporting child care providers through tuition augmentation aligns with
the goals of the Healthy Children's Fund by increasing access to affordable, high -quality early learning
and care; and
WHEREAS, such a program supports local, state, and federal efforts to reduce child poverty, address
child care shortages, promote economic mobility, and invest in the early education and development of
young children, benefiting the public as a whole; and
WHEREAS, subsidies make professional child care accessible to all families, ensuring children from
diverse backgrounds receive high -quality early education, which promotes social equity; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes that child care subsidies for qualifying families and
rate augmentation for local providers are proper means for addressing the public purpose of expanding
affordable, professional, high quality, and accessible childcare in Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, targeted initiatives, such as outreach and enrollment campaigns, tuition discounts for
income -eligible families, and cost augmentation for providers, can help address current gaps and expand
the impact of subsidies, -
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council:
Expressly recognizes the critical role that affordable, accessible, high -quality childcare in serving the
public good, and supports the deployment of Healthy Children's Funds through subsidies and rate
augmentation programs as an effective and appropriate means for establishing, maintaining and
expanding local childcare opportunities that promote equal opportunity, family stability, enhanced
services for low-income families, and economic prosperity.
Affirms the HCF implementation plan priority to increase access to high quality early learning and care
for families burdened by child care costs through a childcare tuition subsidies program.
Supports the creation of a subsidy program for families earning up to 85% of the State Median Income
(SMI), with a focus on expanding support for families with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are
currently underserved.
Finds that such a subsidy program aligns efforts with the Washington State Legislature and their funding
of the WCCC program, which may require future Council adjustments depending on SMI funding
threshold approved in the 2025 legislative session and in future legislative sessions.
Endorses an outreach and enrollment campaign that will measurably increase local participation of local
families in the state Working Connections Child Care program. This campaign should include strategies
to measure campaign effectiveness and for reinvesting in successful outcomes.
Supports the implementation of a rate augmentation program for Whatcom County childcare providers
serving low income families and the most resource -intensive and costly age groups. More specifically,
supports an initial rate augmentation up to $300/month for licensed WCCC providers who serve infants
and toddlers 0-3 in Whatcom County.
Supports development of other options and supports for all childcare providers in Whatcom County and
will anticipate recommendations toward that end with feedback from Councilmembers.
Authorizes funding for initial start-up administrative costs for third -party program administration of the
subsidy and rate augmentation programs, plus ongoing operational funding to ensure effective subsidy
and rate augmentation management, enrollment processes, and provider partnerships.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council commits to monitoring the impact of any
subsidy and rate augmentation programing, ensuring that either or both programs effectively reduce
financial barriers for Whatcom County families, particularly those earning at or less than 85% of State
Median Income, and enhances the amount and quality of care provided by child care providers in
Whatcom County, with the goal of continuous improvement and expansion to serve all families in need.
ADOPTED b t�, at,gy�r$tiniy;Counci) on this 3rd day of December2024.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATT T; WHA CO TY, WASHINGTON
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Cathy Halka; Barry anan,
Clerk of the Qo' uncal ;'r Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
awY'( (Zwi'r'liv 12/3/2024
Civil Deputy Prosecutor