The Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA) provides the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) with resources to make child care more affordable by capping copays and expanding income eligibility so more families are able to access high-quality child care.
Since Oct. 1, 2021, when new income eligibility standards and copay calculations became effective, the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) eligibility has increased by approximately 4,400 families. This represents 6,500 children that are now eligible for child care through WCCC.
The WCCC subsidy program helps low-income families pay for child care. When a family qualifies for child care subsidy benefits and chooses an eligible provider, the state pays a portion of the cost of child care. The parent may be responsible for paying a copayment to their provider each month.
Under the FSKA, a family of four enrolled in WCCC could make up to $5,354 and still qualify, capping their copay at $115 a month. For single-parent households, a family of two can make up to $3,641 and still qualify for the $115 copay. Click here to view the Copay Calculation Table.
For more information on the FSKA and the upcoming changes to child care, please visit the link to Working Connections Child Care.
For other questions, please call 1-800-394-4571 or email providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov.
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