Expansion of Services

2026-2027 Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) & ECEAP Complex Needs Fund (CNF) Expansion Funding Opportunity

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has released a Request for Applications (RFA) to expand Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) services for the 2026-27 school year. This expansion builds on the public-private partnership with the Ballmer Group to grow ECEAP statewide. Expansion funding will primarily support new school-day ECEAP slots to increase access to free, high-quality PreK for children and families who need it most.

How ECEAP is Expanding

ECEAP Expansion will occur through Contracting and Subcontracting. Providers can be either a contractor or a subcontractor.

• Contractors apply for a direct contract with DCYF and are responsible for providing comprehensive services, including education, family support, and health coordination.
• Subcontractors work with an ECEAP contractor to provide components of ECEAP service delivery.

Providers who are interested in becoming an ECEAP subcontractor should connect directly with local ECEAP Contractors and other organizations interested in contracting directly with DCYF.

Who Should Apply

Funded programs must be able to provide full comprehensive services, including education, family support, and health coordination. This funding opportunity is open to organizations interested in becoming an ECEAP contractor and existing ECEAP contractors intending to expand their programs.

• Tribal Nations
• Educational Service Districts and School Districts
• Local Governments
• Other public and private early learning providers (e.g., Head Start Grantees, community colleges, licensed child care providers, etc.)

We encourage providers to work together. Organizations may apply as a contractor or partner with another organization as sub-contractor as part of a shared expansion plan. Providers who are interested in becoming subcontractors should connect directly with one of their local ECEAP contractors.

How to Apply

There are multiple steps required to apply to become a new ECEAP contractor and to request ECEAP expansion as an existing contractor.

All applicants interested in contracting with DCYF for ECEAP Expansion and/or ECEAP Complex Needs Fund, must complete the Preliminary Application to initiate the ECEAP Expansion RFA and CNF Application process. 

STEP 1:

Review the following:

• RFA Guidance Document
• Addendum 4: RFA Questions & Answers (Q&A)
• RFA Q&A Office Hours Slides (March 2026)
• Full Enrollment Plan 

STEP 2:

Complete the Preliminary Application for ECEAP Expansion FY 2027 online form.

• DCYF will determine eligibility based on minimum requirements via the Preliminary Application. When you have submitted your Preliminary Application, you will receive an email with the official RFA response links.
• This process may take time. We strongly recommend that Preliminary Applications are completed as early as possible and at least one week in advance of the application due date to allow time for successful application submission.

STEP 3:

Submit your responses to Exhibits 1-5 through the online links provided in your email.

Use the reference documents for application materials to complete each exhibit. 

• RFA Guidance Document
• Preliminary Application for ECEAP Expansion
• Exhibit 1: Program Services and Administration
• Exhibit 2: Budget and Fiscal Management (revised April 3, 2026)
• Exhibit 3: Proposed Sites and Slots
• Exhibit 4: Collaboration and Coordination (revised March 27, 2026)
• Exhibit 5: CNF Application
• Exhibit 6: Certifications and Assurances

STEP 4:

Download and sign Exhibit 6 and submit to dcyf.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov with the subject line “ECEAP RFA Exhibit 6 [YOUR ORGANIZATION]”.

For contract consideration, applicants meeting the minimum qualifications must submit Exhibits 1 through 6 no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2026.

Timeline and Technical Assistance

ECEAP Complex Needs Fund (CNF)

ECEAP CNF is open for all applicants.  

The Complex Needs Fund (CNF) application is embedded in the Preliminary Application of the Expansion Funding Opportunity linked above and closes at 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2026.  

For existing contractors who are not interested in expansion but still interested in CNF, you must apply using the Preliminary Application for ECEAP Expansion FY 2027 online form.

Questions specific to CNF? 

Email dcyf.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov with any questions about the ECEAP Complex Needs Fund. Include “Complex Need Fund Question” in the subject line.