Yakima, Wash. — Washington state is grappling with a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, prompting the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to propose significant cuts to two key early learning programs.
Earlier this month, the state’s budget office instructed agencies to recommend spending reductions. In response, DCYF suggested trimming nearly $68 million from the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). The department also proposed eliminating an early ECEAP initiative, a move that would cut an additional $9.25 million from the budget.
The proposal has sparked concern among local advocates. “Many of the children we serve here in Yakima are already facing difficult circumstances, such as homelessness, domestic violence, or involvement in the child welfare system,” said Mamie Barboza, CEO of Epic Urban Learning. “Cutting access to safe learning environments for these vulnerable children seems especially harmful.”
In a statement to Action News, DCYF assured the public that the proposed cuts would not impact children already enrolled in the programs. The reductions would primarily affect unused program slots. According to the department, eliminating these unfilled slots would help achieve the targeted $77 million in savings.
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