From Washington State Department of Commerce <[email protected]>
Subject Commerce boosts child care with more than $7 million for 64 early learning centers
Date August 27, 2024 4:02 PM
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
Having trouble viewing this email? View it online [ [link removed] ]

Commerce Logo


 

News Release




August 27, 2024

Harvard Park Learning Center North

The Harvard Park Learning Center North project in Spokane received 2021-23 ELF minor renovations funding. The renovations for improved health and safety include an open floor plan, updated flooring, and updated sinks and counter tops.

Commerce boosts child care with more than $7 million for 64 early learning centers

*Grants will upgrade or renovate early learning facilities in 16 counties *

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced more than $7 million in grants to 64 early learning providers across the state. The grants provide financial assistance for licensed child care providers to make minor renovations that improve health and safety, such as updated playground equipment, sanitation spaces, fencing, HVAC upgrades and light fixtures.

”These grants sustain critical facilities that give parents choices to meet their family’s needs and ensure more access and availability to high-quality child care,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “We know that child care is a barrier to employment for families, and we can advance economic opportunity for Washington’s families by ensuring children have a place to thrive.”

View the full 2024 ELF minor renovations awards summary (Box PDF) [ [link removed] ].

The Harvard Park Learning Center North project in Spokane received 2021-23 ELF minor renovations funding. The renovations for improved health and safety include an open floor plan, updated flooring, and updated sinks and counter tops.

The Commerce Early Learning Facilities Program [ [link removed] ] received 179 applications requesting more than $21 million. With requests more than triple available funds, Commerce, in collaboration with the Department of Children, Youth and Families, evaluated key project criteria such as the number of child care slots serving low-income families, the project location relative to other early learning facilities, and projects in rural or low-income areas, among other factors.

“Investing in licensed child care providers means increased access to high-quality early learning programs for families across the state,” said DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter. “I am pleased the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and Department of Commerce continue to support and sustain access to child care, which supports school readiness, allows families to secure stable employment, bolsters local economies, and makes communities stronger.”

The Early Learning Facilities Program, administered by Commerce, has awarded more than $180 million to create more than 12,500 child care slots statewide. ELF launched in 2017 to create more early learning classrooms and ensure all children are prepared to enter kindergarten. The ELF grant program funds new construction, renovation and acquisition projects that increase or retain early learning capacity at in-home and child care center facilities with a focus on child care deserts and children from low-income households. There is no additional minor renovations funding available at this time, and can only be made available again if the Legislature appropriates it.

To learn more about this program and subscribe to a mailing list for updates and future funding opportunities, please visit Commerce’s ELF webpage [ [link removed] ].__

 

MEDIA CENTER [ [link removed])&data=05%7C02%7Cscott.varga%40commerce.wa.gov%7Cf76e8199715a41bcd2bb08dc1c4faf8d%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C638416375778397245%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KZvtSff54Y%2BQsbq5G6wtpM2PNzh5Wfupz%2Biy5P1hTI8%3D&reserved=0 ]

Media Contact

Amelia Lamb <[email protected]>, (360) 995-3386 






Stay connected

subscribe [ [link removed] ]twitter [ [link removed] ]facebook [ [link removed] ]


About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit [link removed]. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com [ [link removed] ].

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by Washington Department of Commerce [ [link removed] ].

Subscribe [ [link removed] ] | Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ] | Contact us [ [link removed] ]





This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Commerce · 1011 Plum Street SE, P.O. Box 42525 · Olympia, WA 98504-2525 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
Screenshot of the email generated on import

Message Analysis