### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Public Works and Health Committee met on January 28, 2025, focusing on childcare initiatives and funding. The committee received presentations on two major childcare programs: the Center for Retention and Expansion of Childcare (CREC) and updates on the Healthy Children's Fund implementation. ### Key Terms and Concepts **CREC (Center for Retention and Expansion of Childcare):** A program that provides consultation, business coaching, and support to help new childcare providers get licensed and existing providers expand their services. **Healthy Children's Fund:** Whatcom County's comprehensive early childhood initiative that addresses childcare, housing, mental health, and parenting supports for families with young children. **ARPA Dollars:** American Rescue Plan Act federal funding that was used during the pandemic to retain childcare slots in the community when many programs were at risk of closing. **Working Connections:** Washington State's childcare subsidy program that helps low-income families pay for childcare services. **Implementation Plan:** A strategic document being developed by community stakeholders that will guide how Healthy Children's Fund resources are allocated in 2025-26. **RAPID Survey:** A quarterly community survey conducted through Stanford University that gathers data on families' needs related to childcare, housing, mental health, and parenting supports. **Licensed Family Childcare:** Home-based childcare programs that can serve up to 12 children under state licensing regulations (previously limited to 6 children under county code until that was changed). ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jon Scanlon | Committee Chair, County Council | | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Member, County Council | | Mark Stremler | Committee Member, County Council | | Todd Donovan | County Council Member (observer) | | Barry Buchanan | County Council Member (observer) | | Kaylee Galloway | County Council Member (observer) | | Laurie Saling | Assistant Director, Opportunity Council Early Learning Division | | Sarah Simpson | Children's and Family Programs Supervisor, Health and Community Services | | Ann Beck | Health and Community Services Manager | ### Background Context Whatcom County faces a significant childcare shortage with over 10,000 children under age 5 but only about 4,000 licensed childcare slots available. This gap of more than 4,000 children affects both families trying to work and local businesses struggling to maintain employees who lack reliable childcare. The county has been working to address this crisis through multiple approaches, including supporting new childcare startups, helping existing providers expand, and providing subsidies to make childcare more affordable for families. The Healthy Children's Fund represents a major county investment in early childhood services, moving beyond just childcare to address housing, mental health, and parenting supports as interconnected needs for families. The fund is implementing evidence-based strategies while also piloting innovative approaches like employer-supported childcare and drop-in care programs. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee received two informational presentations without taking formal action. Laurie Saling from Opportunity Council explained how CREC helps overcome barriers to childcare expansion, including navigating licensing requirements, building codes, and business planning. She highlighted past successes like getting county code changed to allow family childcare providers to serve 12 children instead of 6, matching state licensing standards. Sarah Simpson provided updates on Healthy Children's Fund implementation, including progress on the childcare subsidy program with an RFP planned for release and contracts starting by August. She also shared results from the first RAPID survey that gathered over 350 responses from families across the county, and noted that an implementation team has been meeting weekly to develop the 2025-26 strategic plan. Council members asked about regulatory barriers to childcare businesses, funding timeline clarifications, and metrics for measuring program impact. ### What to Watch Next - Implementation plan due to Council by end of March 2025 - Childcare subsidy RFP release with contracts starting by August 7, 2025 - RAPID survey results expected mid-February with second survey launching in March - State budget decisions affecting childcare subsidy eligibility thresholds ---