Washington Bill Secures Child Care for Parents Who Are College Students

Any successful strategy designed to ease the balance between family and work must include provisions for affordable, accessible child care. Child care is particularly important for women seeking to move off welfare and gain economic self-sufficiency through higher education.

Washington state recently approved the Washington Fund for Student Child Care in Higher Education (SB5277), a bill that will help college students with children successfully complete their education. The bill provides $250,000 in funding for child care programs at universities in the state and helps make child care affordable and convenient for parent scholars. Matching funds are required from educational institutions, with grants going to programs that show the most innovation.

“Many college students today are parents who’d be unable to go to school and better their lives without accessible child care,” said State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, primary sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "After three years of working on this issue, it’s a real victory for student-parents and student lobbyists who never gave up on this bill." The bill easily passed the senate and was summarily signed by the governor.

CPA’s Western Policy Leaders Forum’s “Family, Work & Community: Investing in Community Support'” conference June 11-13, in Seattle brought together community activists and state legislators to discuss policy approaches to the changing economy, workforce and quality of life issues, child care and after school activities, elder care and family leave.

For more information on the conference or family and work issues contact Sheri Brady at CPA or email [email protected].