Task force hears warning about Working Connections attendance‑based payments and TK cuts that could squeeze local providers

Ally, co‑chairing the discussion, summarized recent state changes to the Working Connections Child Care subsidy and cuts to transitional kindergarten (TK) and warned the two policies may interact in ways that increase pressure on Whatcom County providers.

Ally explained the subsidy change in plain terms: “Right now, if a child is enrolled, a program gets paid,” she said, describing the current enrollment‑based payment model. Under the newly approved but still‑detailed policy, the state will move toward attendance‑based payments with a prorating rule triggered if a child’s attendance falls below a threshold discussed informally as around 15 days. Task force members said that shift reduces predictable monthly revenue for providers who must staff classrooms, buy food and hold slots when children are absent for sickness, vacation or inconsistent work schedules.

Members and providers described practical consequences: providers used private‑pay families’ full‑month payments to hold slots during absences, but attendance‑based subsidies would leave providers unpaid for prolonged child illness or family absence. One presenter warned that this could disincentivize providers from holding slots for families with unpredictable schedules or reduce providers’ willingness to accept Working Connections families.

Task force members also discussed recent state cuts to TK, which Ally said translate to an estimated loss of about 231 TK seats in Whatcom County (sourced to a recent Cascadia Weekly chart shared with the group). Participants said TK reductions may return children to private or subsidy care, increasing demand for child‑care slots at the same time providers face revenue uncertainty from policy changes.

Members requested that the task force monitor how the locally designed Whatcom County subsidy (the Healthy Children’s Fund subsidy) will interact with the state changes, because some local top‑up programs require providers to accept Working Connections. Speakers floated short‑term ideas—such as a philanthropic 'backstop' to cover a provider’s temporary revenue gaps—while noting such fixes would require detailed design and funds.

The task force agreed to track implementation risks and the county’s subsidy rules and to raise the concerns in forthcoming council briefings; no formal motions or votes were recorded at the meeting.