Across Washington, families are facing setbacks as the state trims funding for early learning programs once seen as a model of support for children in need. The reductions have forced preschools, like those operated by Catholic Charities in Yakima Valley, to shut down entire programs for infants and toddlers, leaving parents scrambling for alternatives.
The state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), which provides comprehensive services beyond basic child care, will now serve 2,000 fewer children this year. Lawmakers say the cuts — totaling millions — were necessary to address a looming multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. Still, the reductions derail progress promised under the Fair Start for Kids Act, a $1.1 billion expansion plan meant to broaden preschool access.
For families like Victoria and Marshawn Briggs, the loss of affordable care has meant moving homes and coping with their children’s behavioral struggles. Advocates warn that parents already under stress risk being overwhelmed without these resources.
State Sen. Claire Wilson, who championed the Fair Start Act, admitted the funding rollback was difficult but stressed that it may only be temporary. Yet for many, the absence of early support is already taking a toll — especially for children returning from foster care or managing trauma.
Parents and educators alike fear that these cutbacks not only undermine children’s development but also weaken family stability. As one parent put it, the elimination of these services punishes families who are working hard to remain self-sufficient.