{"id":2778,"date":"2021-07-01T16:47:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T23:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/wilson\/?p=2778"},"modified":"2021-07-01T16:47:45","modified_gmt":"2021-07-01T23:47:45","slug":"new-state-childcare-provisions-in-fair-start-for-kids-act-to-take-effect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/wilson\/2021\/07\/01\/new-state-childcare-provisions-in-fair-start-for-kids-act-to-take-effect\/","title":{"rendered":"New state childcare provisions in Fair Start for Kids Act to take effect"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Several provisions of the Fair Start for Kids Act, the system overhaul the Legislature passed this year in response to the state\u2019s childcare crisis, take effect today.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Washington, over half a million children do not have access to licensed childcare,\u201d said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn), who sponsored the act. \u201cEven where there is childcare available, the cost is so high that it remains out of reach for most families. The Fair Start for Kids Act will help parents keep their jobs and the salaries they need to take care of their families by increasing access to affordable, quality childcare.\u201d<\/p>\n

The provisions taking effect today include several significant changes to the Working Connections Child Care program that will make childcare affordable for more families, as well as adding new supports for providers.<\/p>\n

Working Connections Child Care<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Co-payments<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Department of Children, Youth & Families will waive Working Connections Child Care co-payments this year for July, August and September<\/a> and will implement the co-payment schedule below starting October 1, 2021<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
If the household’s income is:<\/strong><\/td>\nThen the household’s maximum monthly co-payment is:<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
at or below 20 percent of State Median Income (SMI)<\/td>\nwaived to the extent allowable under federal law; otherwise, a maximum of $15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
above 20 percent and at or below 36 percent of SMI<\/td>\n$65<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
above 36 percent and at or below 50 percent of SMI<\/td>\n$90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
above 50 percent and at or below 60 percent of SMI<\/td>\n$115<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

While previously Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines<\/a> were used to calculate co-payments, State Median Income (SMI)<\/a> figures will now be used to calculate co-payments. The SMI better reflects the Washington\u2019s particular economy, and under this new provision any household under 60% of the SMI ($4,317\/month for a family of 3) will be eligible for affordable co-payments starting October 1. Previously, households were eligible if under 200% of the FPL ($3,660\/month for a family of 3), but households making between 140% and 200% of the FPL often ended up with high, cost prohibitive co-payments. The provisions of the Fair Start for Kids Act extend eligibility and low co-payments to many more families to make quality, affordable childcare available to more households across the state.<\/p>\n

Student Parents<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Beginning July 1, 2021 parents will not need to meet work requirements<\/a> as a condition of receiving Working Connections Child Care when any parent is a full-time student of a community, technical, or tribal college and is enrolled in:<\/p>\n