§ 43.215.405. Early childhood education and assistance program -- Definitions
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450 and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903.
(1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee under RCW 43.215.420.
(2) "Department" means the department of early learning.
(3) "Eligible child" means a child not eligible for kindergarten whose family income is at or below one hundred ten percent of the federal poverty level, as published annually by the federal department of health and human services, and includes a child whose family is eligible for public assistance, and who is not a participant in a federal or state program providing comprehensive services and may include children who are eligible under rules adopted by the department if the number of such children equals not more than ten percent of the total enrollment in the early childhood program. Priority for enrollment shall be given to children from families with the lowest income, children in foster care, or to eligible children from families with multiple needs.
(4) "Approved programs" means those state-supported education and special assistance programs which are recognized by the department as meeting the minimum program rules adopted by the department to qualify under RCW 43.215.400 through 43.215.450 and 43.215.900 through 43.215.903 and are designated as eligible for funding by the department under RCW 43.215.430 and 43.215.440.
(5) "Comprehensive" means an assistance program that focuses on the needs of the child and includes education, health, and family support services.
(6) "Family support services" means providing opportunities for parents to:
(a) Actively participate in their child's early childhood program;
(b) Increase their knowledge of child development and parenting skills;
(c) Further their education and training;
(d) Increase their ability to use needed services in the community;
(e) Increase their self-reliance.
[2006 c 265 § 210; 1999 c 350 § 1; 1994 c 166 § 2; 1990 c 33 § 213; 1988 c 174 § 2; 1985 c 418 § 2. Formerly RCW 28A.215.110, 28A.34A.020.]
Notes:
Effective date -- 1994 c 166: See note following RCW 43.215.400.
Findings -- 1994 c 166; 1988 c 174: "The legislature finds that the early childhood education and assistance program provides for the educational, social, health, nutritional, and cultural development of children at risk of failure when they reach school age. The long-term benefits to society in the form of greater educational attainment, employment, and projected lifetime earnings as well as the savings to be realized, from lower crime rates, welfare support, and reduced teenage pregnancy, have been demonstrated through lifelong research of at-risk children and early childhood programs.
The legislature intends to encourage development of community partnerships for children at risk by authorizing a program of voluntary grants and contributions from business and community organizations to increase opportunities for children to participate in early childhood education." [1994 c 166 § 3; 1988 c 174 § 1.]
Sections: Previous 43.215.330 43.215.340 43.215.350 43.215.355 43.215.360 43.215.370 43.215.400 43.215.405 43.215.410 43.215.415 43.215.420 43.215.425 43.215.430 43.215.435 43.215.440 Next
Last modified: April 7, 2009