Early Childhood Equity Grant Now Available

June 30, 2022
A group of diverse children in a child care environment.

The Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA) directs the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to distribute Early Childhood Equity Grant funds to eligible applicants.

DCYF is pleased to announce that the Early Childhood Equity Grant application is now available.

The Early Childhood Equity Grant is intended to serve as a step toward expanding access to early learning statewide and transforming Washington's early learning system to make it more inclusive and equitable. The grant will support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state.

DCYF sought guidance from advisory groups on creating spaces for co-creation with providers. The advisory groups involved include the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC)Provider Supports Subcommittee (PS)Tribal Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC), and The Indian Policy Early Learning (IPEL) Committee.

This resulted in provider-focused Early Childhood Equity Grant design sessions to develop the approach with providers eligible for the Early Childhood Equity Grant. These sessions took place in April 2022.

Design Teams worked together to make decisions for the Early Childhood Equity Grant in the following areas:

  • Application
  • Selection
  • Allocation

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Licensed or certified child care providers with an open license in good standing.
  • License-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers serving children receiving state subsidies.
  • Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors.
  • Recognized Play and Learn Groups.

Application information, including a step-by-step guide, is available on the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant webpage.

The application will close at 11:59 p.m. on August 16, 2022.

Will Technical Assistance be Available?

The grant application is available in six languages (English | Spanish | Somali | Arabic | Russian | Mandarin). Individual technical assistance is available and includes guidance on preparing for and accessing the application, in addition to advice on saving receipts and documentation. Providers are encouraged to access technical assistance in their preferred language and by telephone, internet, or in-person.

For more information about this grant, including additional frequently asked questions, informational webinars, and contact information for technical assistance, please visit the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant webpage.

If you have questions about the application, the timeline of the funding, or other questions specific to the Early Childhood Equity Grant, email dcyf.childcaregrants@dcyf.wa.gov.