Uplifting kids and families👦👧👶

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Summer in Seattle is the best time of year! I’ve really enjoyed having George and Eleanor home from school – lots of time to play, read and explore the beautiful PNW. 

As Co-Chair of the House Moms Caucus, uplifting families and children who rely on access to affordable childcare and a world-class public education system is always on my mind. I want to highlight some of the work the Legislature did this session to prioritize kids, parents and families. 

 

Transition to kindergarten: (HB 1550) 

HB 1550 puts into statute the transition to kindergarten program. This is a prekindergarten program for our four-year-old learners who are deemed to need additional preparation to ensure they will be kindergarten ready by age 5.   

 

Ensuring access to recess for our little learners: (HB 1504/SB 5257) 

Recess has been proven to be good for students’ physical health, for cognitive development in addition to social and emotional benefits. SB 5257 will ensure elementary-age students receive a minimum of 30 minutes of daily recess by making it a requirement for all Washington public elementary schools. 

 

Expanding Working Connections Childcare program to first-year apprentices: HB 1525  

This bill expands access to affordable childcare for families with lower incomes who are participating in registered apprenticeships, which helps remove a barrier to diversifying the trades and meeting clean energy and housing goals. 

 

Implementing the Family Connections Program: HB 1204  

The Family Connections program is a support system that helps parents of children in out-of-home care build positive relationships with the caregivers. This bill makes the program permanent, which will allow it to continue to operate and provide support to families in need, reducing court costs and stress for families, caregivers, and caseworkers. 

 

Creating a system to support children in crisis: HB 1580 

This legislation is about addressing the mental health crisis among young people in our state, particularly those who are living in hospitals for extended periods. It creates a new executive branch-level care coordinator to provide individualized support to get young people out of hospitals and into appropriate care as soon as possible.  

 

I’m also thrilled to share the 2023-2025 Washington State Operating budget includes the following investments: 

• Historic increases for special education funding – $417 million
• Free school meals for 90,000 more K-12 students – $112 million
• Transition to kindergarten for 4-year-old learners – $26 million
• K-12 local effort assistance – $23 million
• Family childcare providers – $393 million
• Expands Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program slots and increases rates – $91 million
• Childcare for children with complex needs – $24 million

As always, reach out anytime to my Legislative Assistant Natalie Whitesel or email me. It’s an honor to serve you in Olympia.

Best wishes,

State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District