United Ways of Washington Public Policy Agenda
- Govenor Christine Gregoire
The United Ways of Washington (UWWA) is the statewide association for 24 of Washington’s local United Ways. This year presents an unprecedented challenge as well as an opportunity to prioritize investments that are essential, provide a high return on investment and are research based.
Particularly in these economic hard times, business, philanthropy, government and non-profits must partner to help foster economic recovery and support the needs of the most vulnerable. All sectors must be valued and supported in order to accomplish this. Washington State has long been a leader in providing health and human services to the most vulnerable including children, low income families, the disabled and those experiencing homelessness, and that commitment is at risk. This commitment is part of what makes working and living in our state special.
United Ways recognize that our communities are suffering from the federal and state cuts incurred to date. We also recognize the significant role government funding plays in supporting health and human services. Even in King County where that United Way is the largest in our system, government supports 90 percent of health and human services expenditures, with philanthropy supporting just 10 percent.
United Way and its philanthropic partners simply cannot fill the gap as a result of these cuts. Collectively, United Ways in our state raised $138 million in our state in 2010, which was up from $128.5 million in 2009. This level of funding statewide is significantly less than the single proposal to eliminate state funding for school busing ($220 million), just one of many cuts under consideration.
EARLY LEARNING
Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that quality early learning is the best long-term investment to increase positive economic outcomes in a child and family’s lives and at the same time decrease negative social costs. We therefore strongly support investments impacting state and local Early Learning infrastructure and programs ensuring children are ready to succeed upon starting school. In particular, we support:
•evidenced based Early Learning programs like home visiting,
•quality improvement in licensed child care,
•programs that improve the transition from home and child care to kindergarten,
•services to families with young children that enhance the ability to obtain quality care, and
•services which support parents/families with young children, including home visiting and health care access.
FUNDING MAINTENANCE PRIORITIES
1. Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
Issue: Studies consistently show that access to quality early care and education for all children, and particularly for those of low-income, prepare children for success in school, increase graduation rates and reduce crime.
•Maintain eligibility for ECEAP for three- and four-year olds.
2. Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)
Issue: Continued access to child care subsidies allows families to work and maintain jobs while their children are in a safe environment.
•Maintain eligibility for Working Connections Child Care at 175 percent of the federal poverty level and direct any TANF savings to reducing the wait list for WCCC.
3. Child Care Resource and Referral Services
Issue: Available statewide through a network of 11 partners, child care resource and referral services connect families seeking child care to licensed providers; supports child care providers by enhancing the quality of care and small businesses; and informs policy makers using data collected statewide in local communities. Maintenance of child care resource and referral services is a critical component to our state’s Race to the Top application.
•Support continued funding for child care resource and referral services $1.3 million General Fund).
ADVOCATE
Contact your Washington State Legislators.
Contact your Skagit County Commissioners:
Sharon Dillon
Ken Dahlstedt
Ron Wesen
(360) 336 –9300
For more information, contact:
Donna Christensen
Legislative Advocate
(206)478-2242
Erica Hallock
President/CEO
United Ways of Washington
(509)991-2390
