Spokane Child Care Workforce and Capacity Pilot Program

The Spokane Child Care Workforce and Capacity Pilot Program aims to enhance the availability and quality of child care services in the greater Spokane area by establishing a dedicated cohort of at least ten licensed child care facilities. The program emphasizes assessing and improving organizational culture and operational blueprints through assessments such as culture index and blueprint evaluations. The initiative is managed by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, with a project budget ranging from $500,000 to $1,500,000, and seeks to coordinate efforts to expand the child care workforce and capacity effectively. The program's successful implementation will involve strategic planning, facility engagement, and capacity-building activities to meet the region's child care needs. This effort is part of a broader set of contracts and initiatives by the department, including professional development for substance use disorder providers and equitable engagement strategies for child welfare and early learning services. These contracts, such as those for professional development and navigator services, demonstrate a comprehensive approach to strengthening early childhood and family support systems through targeted training, community engagement, and capacity assessments. The program's timeline and scope are aligned with the department’s broader goals to improve child care infrastructure, support workforce development, and foster equitable access to quality early learning environments across Washington State.