Early Learning Advisory Council

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) was created by the Legislature in 2007. 

• Read the statutory language

ELAC representatives from around the state meet regularly to provide input and recommendations to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) so our strategies and actions are well informed and broadly supported by parents, child care providers, health and safety experts and interested members of the public.

Governor Jay Inslee holds final authority for policy decisions.

The council has adopted a Racial Equity Framework through which it conducts its business as an advisory board to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

• ELAC Charter

Members

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) members are a diverse group of people whose role is to provide DCYF with input and recommendations to inform DCYF's work.

ELAC includes parents, child care providers, health and safety experts, legislators, representatives of Tribal Nations, independent schools, K-12 and higher education, and others who are interested in creating a statewide early learning system that helps all children realize their full potential.

Some ELAC members are appointed by the Governor. Others are appointed by various entities as required in the legislation that created ELAC.

Meetings

The Early Learning Advisory Council has six regular meetings each year, held on the first Tuesday of odd months. At each meeting, ELAC members get updates on DCYF's work and provide input and recommendations to DCYF.

Members of the public are welcome to attend ELAC meetings. Public comment periods are offered throughout each meeting. The locations and times vary for each meeting.

2024

December 3, 2024

October 1, 2024

August 13, 2024 - Report Review

August 6, 2024

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Slides
• Meeting Recording
• Regional Coalition & WCFC Updates
• State Agency Partner Updates
• Feedback Loop

July 9, 2024 - Report Development

June 4, 2024 - CANCELLED

May 14, 2024 - Report Development

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Slides
• Meeting Recording
• FSKA Status Snapshot
• Proviso Update

April 9, 2024

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Slides
• Meeting Recording
• State Agency Partner Updates
• Regional Coalition & WCFC Updates
• Legislative Update
• TLS Recommendation Response Memo

March 26, 2024 – Access & Living Wage Proviso Special Webinar

• Meeting Minutes
• Webinar Slides
• Meeting Recording

March 5, 2024 - Report Development

• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Slides
• Meeting Recording

February 6, 2024

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Slides
• Meeting Recording
• State Agency Partner Updates
• Regional Coalition & Washington Communities for Children (WCFC) Updates
• ELAC Feedback Loop

January 25, 2024 - Special Webinar: Background Checks

• Webinar Slides
• Meeting Recording
• Webinar Q&A

2023

December 5, 2023

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Recording

October 3, 2023

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• October 2023 TLS Recommendation Tracker
• Meeting Recording

September 12, 2023 – Report Development

• Agenda 
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Recording 

August 1, 2023

• Agenda 
• Meeting Minutes
• August 2023 TLS Recommendation Tracker
• Meeting Recording 

July 11, 2023 – Report Development

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Recording 

June 6, 2023

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• June 2023 TLS Recommendation Tracker
• Meeting Recording

May 9, 2023 – Report Development

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Recording

April 11, 2023

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• April 2023 TLS Recommendation Tracker
• Meeting Recording

February 7, 2023

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Recording

January 9, 2023 – Special Webinar: Early Childhood Equity Grants

• Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Recording