Aug.2026 Newsletter

Check out what’s happening and how to get involved in the Network!
Washington State Early Learning Coordination Plan | ELCPWA.ORG

Core Team - Sustainability Planning

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The Core team finalized its leadership and charter over the last few months, congratulations! The group is now focused on the Sustainability Plan discussion, addressing how we will move forward as a Network should there be funding available or not past the end of this grant year, Sept 30th. The team has many questions and is compiling their thoughts in the coming meetings. The goal is to finalize this plan before the Sept 10th Convening.

See the Core Minutes & Agendas for more information

Announcements & Event

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Well Wishes:

Our Preschool Development Grant Operations Staff all play a part in supporting the ELCP Network. Two of our team, Dra. Yesenia and Jenna Schroer have moved on to amazing opportunities, and we wish them both the very best!

Preschool Development Grant Cycle 6:

The Early Learning Coordination Plan Network is funded through the federal Preschool Development Grant and managed by the WA State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Early Learning Division. We want our Network to know that DCYF stands with a draft application ready to submit when our federal partners make the grant application for next year available. Our current grant ends on Sept 30, 2026. We do not currently know when the next grant application will be announced, but will keep you updated when we hit submit!

Fall Convening:

We gather quarterly to maintain our relational network, to refine our goals and celebrate our milestones in the ELCP. If you plan on joining our hybrid Convening this Fall, please fill out the convening survey. If you’re attending in person, please submit before August 10th.

Most Significant Change Analysis Ongoing

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The Most Significant Change interviews have taken place to ask our members to explore what we have achieved already, understand what people value, and identify areas of needed support for the Network.

The Evaluation Team members have met for over five hours of shared work, have 10 interviews left to review over the course of two more analysis meetings. The process is to read out loud and share feedback, notes and analysis. Then, the larger Evaluation team will meet and collate all the notes into one overarching theme document. One member said “The opportunity to review the interviews and being a part of the meetings is important to the Network. We’re going through and understanding and pointing out and noticing different trends and members doing that work [of analysis] is important.”

Updated Website and Newsletter Content

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The Communications Team is excited to share the two new pages on our website and the expansion of what our newsletter has to offer. Our Join the Network details what the action teams are working on, how we work, our charters and more. It’s paired and linked to our Calendar page, where you can see all of our action groups, sign up for the calendar, and join our meetings when you can. Finally, you can check out our excellent newsletters archived on our Newsletter page in the about tab. 

We are working on outreach to all of our subscribers and members with a curated questionnaire soon. We look forward to being in touch with you!

See Communications Minutes & Agenda for more information

Acronym Soup

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Racial Equity Trainings

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Tri-Cities Diversity & Inclusion Council is providing racial equity trainings to ELCP network members intended to "lead and facilitate the co-design of policy and system solutions with communities affected by them,” the curriculum has focused on centering community voice through a culture of belonging, shared accountability and governance, and applied learning using data-driven, community-centered practices. Resources from the February, March, and April sessions can be found in the RESJ Resource Hub.

We look forward to seeing you there and continuing this learning journey together. 

Trauma Informed and Healing Centered Practices

Aug 7, 10am - 3pm: Join on Zoom

Using trauma-informed and healing centered community engagement practices to build stronger relationships with families and communities.

Strategies for Addressing Systemic Bias

Aug 28, 10am - 3pm: Join on Zoom
 Using data to identify inequities and community policy design to address systemic bias.

Resources and Opportunities

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Check out these opportunities for supporting and empowering families across the state!

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The Early Learning Communities (ELC) Cohort is seeking new applicants: Website

A current ELCP Network member shared this opportunity, stating “[The ELC] was centered on policy advocacy and leadership. I valued the leadership directing it. They did a good job meeting people where they were at. It lived up to expectations and they were very transparent."

The ELC Cohort is a 15-month learning, action-planning, and implementation opportunity for community stakeholders that are already working across organizations, sectors, and systems to improve outcomes for young children and families. Fill out this form https://forms.gle/4NzU1WJiXPijksuN6 for more information.

Help shape support for people affected by crime, harm, or hurt in Washington:

Washington State is conducting its first-ever statewide survey of how people find support after crime, harm, or hurt — and how that support could work better. The findings will help guide funding, services, and policy across Washington for years to come.

The survey is open to any Washington resident 18 or older whose life has been affected — directly, or through someone they love — whether or not they ever reported it or received help. It takes about 20 minutes, is completely anonymous, and is available in English and Spanish.

Take the Survey: https://wa-survivors.com/OCVA-NeedsAssessment

The survey is voluntary and anonymous. It is not connected to law enforcement, immigration, or the courts, and taking part will not affect anyone's benefits, services, or immigration status. Open through August 16, 2026.