The Washington Child Care Collaborative Task Force found that 133,000 potential workers are kept out of Washington’s labor force due to a lack of access to affordable child care.
The task force’s report estimated that gaps in
affordable child care result in an estimated $14.7 billion less in personal earnings, $56.8 billion less in business output, $34.8 billion lower Gross State Product, and over $1 billion in lost annual tax revenue.
The report found that in nearly a third of counties, 50 percent or more of families lack access to child care.
Percentage of families in areas that lack child care, by county. Data from the Child Care Task Force 2020 Child Care Industry Assessment Report (Aug 2020).
The task force recommends that the state:
- Support providers participating in the state’s child care subsidy program;
- Help working parents enter, re-enter, and stay in the labor force; and
- Begin improvements to child care workforce compensation and development.
The next step for the task force will be to submit a final report and implementation plan to the legislature in June 2021.
AWC supports HB 1213, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D–Mercer Island), and its companion bill,
SB 5237, sponsored by Sen. Claire Wilson (D–Federal Way). The bills would expand access
to affordable child care and early childhood development programs around the state.
Dates to remember
HB 1213 is scheduled for executive session in the House Children, Youth & Families Committee on either Wednesday, February 3 at 8 am or Thursday, February 4 at 10 am.
SB 5237 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on Wednesday, February 3 at 10:30 am.