Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) issued the following statement in support of Washington’s Somali community:

Over the past few weeks, the Somali community, especially those who operate childcare centers in our district, has become a target of harassment and baseless allegations of wrongdoing. I’m deeply saddened by how our Somali neighbors have been treated and made to feel unwelcome and unsafe in their own homes.

Our Somali neighbors are valued members of our district who contribute to the beautiful diversity of Washington state. I stand with our Somali community and will defend their right to live with dignity and respect. If you or someone you know in the Somali community has experienced a potential hate crime or bias incident, please call the non-emergency Hate Crimes & Bias Incidents Hotline at 1-855-225-1010 or report it immediately on our attorney general’s website: https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/HateCrimeOrBiasIncident.aspx

I understand the concerns people have about childcare oversight and accountability for how public funds are spent. I agree that accountability and oversight of public resources are critical, and people who misuse these funds should be investigated and held responsible.  But we must ensure that any allegation of wrongdoing is rooted in facts and evidence — not prejudice or hate. There are appropriate ways to report and investigate fraud in our state, and that does not include ambushing people in their homes or place of business.

Washington has some of the strongest childcare oversight in the country. All daycares are registered with yearly unannounced visits along with health and safety checks. In addition, we have an independently elected state auditor whose office annually audits state and federal childcare subsidies. We take allegations of fraud seriously, which is why we have an Office of Fraud and Accountability in our Department of Social and Health Services to investigate claims. Any suspicions of fraud should be reported to their hotline: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ffa/office-fraud-and-accountability.