CCA of WA Statement regarding support for Immigrant and Undocumented Individuals
Support for Providers Serving Immigrant Families
Child Care Aware of Washington recognizes and values the significant role child care providers play in ensuring that all children have access to high quality, racially equitable early care and education. One of the strengths of the child care system in Washington state is the diversity in options available to families. Child care providers come from an array of backgrounds, including about 20% who are immigrants. Moreover, about 25% of children in the state have parents who are immigrants.
Child Care Aware of Washington stands in solidarity with providers and families who are being targeted because of their background and immigration status. We are committed to supporting providers and working to minimize disruptions in child care for children and families.
We have proudly delivered coaching services to providers and referral and subsidy application support for families seeking care for their children statewide for over 30 years. We consider it a privilege to work alongside the many communities we serve and are committed to continuing to deliver supportive services no matter the changes that happen at the federal and state levels.
We are pulling together resources to share with our communities through our coaches, Family Center specialists, and other early learning staff so that we consistently provide quality support. This may mean referring to someone else when a resource provides more thorough and knowledgeable advice.
We are always here to listen and process with you as you plan and take steps to ensure the wellbeing of children.
During this time of uncertainty, we’d like to encourage you to lean into your trusted CCA of WA connections. Information is traveling quickly and may not always be accurate. We urge providers to be cautious when responding to inquiries or taking action that in any way relates to their immigration status or that of the families they work with.
We will continue to monitor the situation and adapt our efforts to meet the changing landscape.
Our goal is to provide as much continuity and confidentiality as possible in our work so children can continue to thrive in child care settings. No child should be denied care or learning opportunities because of their immigration status.
