Early learning advocacy: No childcare for kids with disabilities

This is part of a series of legislative updates on the state's 2022 General Session. See also:

• Growing ECEAP
• Transitional kindergarten
  

Have you struggled to find childcare? 

For years in disability circles, families have reported high rates of refusal or removal, or requests to provide 1:1 support themselves. In terms of childcare research, this creates a desert, or absence of support for a particular community. 

Substitute House Bill 2082 - Assessing Child Care Access, focuses on childcare deserts for children with developmental delay or disabilities.

• Comment on HB 2082
• HB 2082: Background paper for childcare and children with disabilities

Why is this important? Because the Department of Children, Youth & Families has left out this demographic when assessing gaps in childcare access. The bill was rewritten in committee but still focuses on the developmental disability community and still tries to gather information the state needs to resolve lack of access. The bill:

• Requires the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) to conduct competitive procurement as necessary to conduct a statewide assessment of child care access for families of children with developmental delay or disabilities
  
  
• Requires DCYF to partner with the Office of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to review the statewide assessment and make recommendations to increase the availability, affordability, and accessibility of childcare for families of children with developmental delay or disabilities.

The bill is waiting for a vote in the state House of Representatives. If approved, it moves over to the state Senate for committee action and possible vote.

• You can read about the bill and track its progress here
  
• If this matter is important to you, please comment here. This state legislative website link takes you to a comment form that is sent to your elected members.
• For the wonky: We created an informal policy paper that reviews the situation families of children with disabilities find themselves in, including information about programs and relevant disability and civil rights law.

 

Relief act could jeopardize access to education

Provision calls for waivers to civil rights protections under IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

• ACTION ALERT FROM INVESTING IN STUDENT POTENTIAL

• If you prefer to call or send your own communication, see below for talking points and contact information for Congress

The sweeping effect of COVID-19 on our public education system is unprecedented, with physical buildings closing and teachers and families scrambling to create quality learning at home.

Collaboration and innovation among educators have never been more critical and it is essential that Congress ensures schools and families have the resources to adapt so all our children are educated.

What we cannot do is roll back civil rights protections and sacrifice the future of more than 200,000 students with IEPs or 504 plans. They make up 18 percent of Washington’s student body.

Tucked into the third COVID-19 relief bill, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,  is an alarming provision that directs the Education Secretary to report back to Congress within 30 days on waivers needed for IDEA and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These laws ensure equal access and a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities. Prior to these acts, children with disabilities could be and were banned from schools and denied an education.

The current bill under review also gives Secretary DeVos broad waiver authority over the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and Carl D. Perkins education laws.

Our children do not need their rights waived away. They need access to distance learning so that they can thrive and fulfill their potential, and they need a strong healthcare system that can see us through this pandemic so they can return to physical classrooms.

In Washington, our public schools serve about 161,000 students (14.1 percent of the student body) who qualify for special education pre-K through grade 12. Another 45,000 (3.9 percent) have accommodations in place under Section 504.

Rolling back civil rights protections for more than 200,000 Washington youth would be devastating. Human potential is our state’s most prized asset.

There is no place for sanctioned discrimination in our schools. Every student deserves an equal right to education and the opportunity to thrive.

*The Arc of King County is a founding member of Investing in Student Potential - a coalition to support students with disabilities - and sits on its steering committee.

HOW TO CONTACT CONGRESS:

Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell represent all Washington. You also have a US representative, determined by where you live. You can find your representative here

King County is represented by U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, Suzan DelBene, and Kim Schrier.

CALL: (202) 224-3121. This is the U.S. Capitol Switchboard. An operator will connect you directly with the Senate or House of Representatives office you request.

EMAIL:

Email Senator Patty Murray
Email Senator Maria Cantwell
Email Representative Pramila Jayapal
Email Representative Adam Smith
Email Representative Suzan DelBene
Email Representative Kim Schrier

SAMPLE MESSAGE

Do not sacrifice the civil rights of students with disabilities

Re: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

Dear Senator/Representative

Please affirm the human rights of students with disabilities remove the provision in the third COVID-19 relief bill - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act – that directs the Education Secretary to report back to Congress within 30 days on waivers needed for IDEA and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

These laws ensure equal access and a free and appropriate public education for more than 200,000 students with disabilities. That’s 18 percent of the student body in Washington’s public schools.

Our children do not need their rights waived away. They need access to distance learning so that they can thrive and fulfill their potential, and they need a strong healthcare system that can see us through this pandemic so they can return to physical classrooms.

The sweeping effect of COVID-19 on our public education system is unprecedented, with physical buildings closing and teachers and families scrambling to create quality learning at home.

Collaboration and innovation among educators have never been more critical and it is essential that Congress ensures schools and families have the resources to adapt so all our children are educated.
What we cannot do is roll back civil rights protections and sacrifice the future of Washington’s students.

Sincerely.