Protect WCCC
Updated 02/17/2026
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Access to affordable, high-quality child care is essential for
strong families, strong communities, and a strong economy.
Currently, over 40,000 families rely on WCCC.
Plans to cap the program at 33,000 families and pause new applications in 2026 would:
Force parents to reduce work hours or leave the workforce
Increase strain on employers already facing staffing shortages
Raise demand for public assistance programs
Push families toward unlicensed or unsafe child care options
Reducing reimbursement rates from 85% to 75% of market value would also hurt providers, resulting in:
Lower quality care due to staffing reductions
Layoffs and reduced hours for early childhood educators
Limited hours of operation for families
Difficulty offering livable wages, increasing burnout and workforce shortages
Potential closure of small child care centers and preschools
High-quality Early Childhood Education is critical for children ages 0–6.
Research shows that children in strong early learning programs experience:
Higher graduation rates and stronger STEM outcomes
Better social-emotional skills and self-regulation
Higher long-term earnings and improved health
Reduced crime rates
Cuts to WCCC are more than budget decisions—they affect Washington’s long-term economic health, workforce participation, public safety, and children’s futures.
We must protect the WCCC subsidy. Families and providers need stability, not cuts.
Your voice matters. Thank you for taking the time to support Working Connections Child Care and the families and communities who rely on it.
Your voice matters. Thank you for taking the time to support Working Connections Child Care and the families and communities who rely on it.
Email List, Bill Sponsors:
Rep. Timm Ormsby, Rep. Mia Gregerson, Rep. Nicole Macri, Sen. T'wina Nobles, Sen. June Robinson
CC:
Sample Email #1: Copy/Edit/Paste
CC:
Subject: Protect Working Connections Child Care (HB 2289, SB 5998, HB 2689)
Hello,
My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [City/Legislative District]. I am writing in reference to HB 2289, SB 5998, and HB 2689, and to urge you to protect the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Subsidy.
A strong economy depends on strong communities — and strong communities depend on access to affordable, high-quality child care. Proposed cuts and restructuring to WCCC would have serious short-term and long-term consequences for families, small businesses, and our statewide workforce.
Capping the program at 33,000 families statewide with currently 40,000 enrolled and pausing new applications in 2026 would:
Force working parents and guardians to leave the workforce or reduce their hours due to lack of affordable child care
Increase strain on employers already struggling with workforce shortages
Increase reliance on public assistance programs such as SNAP, housing support, CPS, foster care, and court systems
Increase the likelihood that families turn to unlicensed or unregulated child care arrangements sending rates of child abuse soaring
Reducing reimbursement rates from 85% to 75% of market value would also significantly harm child care providers, leading to:
Decreased quality of care due to staffing reductions
Layoffs and reduced hours for early childhood educators
Limited hours of operation for families who rely on full-day care
Inability to offer competitive, livable wages — worsening educator burnout and workforce shortages
Potential closure of small child care centers and preschools
Beyond the immediate economic impacts, the long-term consequences are even more concerning. High-quality early childhood education for children ages 0–6 is crucial for developing emotional regulation, social skills, and critical thinking. Research from Harvard University and the University of Chicago demonstrates that children who attend high-quality preschool programs experience:
Higher graduation rates
Stronger STEM outcomes
Improved self-regulation skills
Higher long-term earnings
Better health outcomes
Reduced crime rates
Cuts to WCCC are not just budget decisions — they are decisions that affect Washington’s long-term economic health, workforce participation, public safety, and educational outcomes.
Please protect the Working Connections Child Care Subsidy and oppose cuts that would cap enrollment, pause applications, or reduce reimbursement rates.
Strong Economy. Strong Communities. No Cuts to Working Connections Child Care.
Thank you for your time and service to Our Community.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Legislative District]
[Your Email Address]
[Optional: Your Phone Number]
Sample Email #2: Copy/Edit/Paste
CC:
Subject: Protect Working Connections Child Care (HB 2289, SB 5998, HB 2689)
Hello,
My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [City/District]. I am writing regarding HB 2289, SB 5998, and HB 2689 to urge you to protect the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) Subsidy.
Capping enrollment, pausing new applications in 2026, or reducing reimbursement rates would harm working families, child care providers, and our statewide economy. Families will be forced to reduce work hours or leave the workforce, small child care businesses may close, and communities will feel increased strain on social services.
High-quality early childhood education is an investment that leads to higher graduation rates, stronger workforce participation, higher lifetime earnings, and better long-term outcomes for Washington children.
Please oppose cuts to Working Connections Child Care and protect this essential program.
Strong Economy. Strong Communities. No Cuts to WCCC.
Thank you for your time and service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Legislative District]
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