Access to High quality early learning Project
The Human Services Policy Center (HSPC) has developed a Policy Simulation Model (PSM) for estimating the costs of providing financial access to high quality Early Care and Education (ECE) services. We have used and modified our policy simulation model in four states and will now be conducting the process and using the PSM in Washington. We will conduct this analysis in close partnership with the Washington Learns Early Learning Council and a group of policy leaders and stakeholders interested in exploring the costs and impacts of different policy specifications. We will also report on our policy and process to the larger WA Learns steering committee.
Our approach allows partners to specify a wide range of policies affecting both the services to be delivered and the mechanisms by which families of different income levels are to be assisted in affording those services. The approach will build upon a recent state-wide survey on ECE utilization in WA, encompassing all sectors (center-based care, formal family child care, and paid family, friend or neighbor care). This approach is more realistic than assuming that all working parents will use full time center-based care. It also takes account of the fact that one-third of non-employed parents use paid ECE, and access for these children is important for educational or developmental reasons.
We will work with the ELC and project partners in a year-long process. The state team will explore and specify choices about staffing, quality support and promotion, and access policies. We will provide the state team with access and information about the expert panel recommendations and the experiences of other states. We will request and analyze the administrative data needed for the PSM. An iterative process of analysis and feedback will happen within the first nine months of the project to meet the goals of the ELC's timeline. We will coordinate all meetings, and provide materials and technical assistance throughout the duration of the project. The final outcome will be a set of informed and agreed-upon option(s) with associated budgetary impact, distribution of benefits, and affordability for families at different income levels for access to high quality early learning.
Meeting 1 Handouts:
Alternative Policy Specifications for Access to High Quality Early Care and Education
