Child care workers in licensed child care facilities in Washington State may be eligible for health care premium assistance through 2022. This program is administered by the Washington Health Benefits Exchange (WAHBE), in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
This opportunity is available to child care employees who work in centers, family homes, outdoor nature-based care, and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), have an annual income below 300% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) and do not qualify for Washington Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid plan.
All employees of child care facilities are eligible to participate in the program and can sign up any. This includes child care workers in centers, family homes, outdoor nature-based care, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).
In 2021, the legislature passed the Fair Start for Kids Act that increases support for child care workers to access health care. The Fair Start for Kids Act is a $1.1 billion investment to make quality child care more affordable to Washington families by expanding access, capping co-pays, and investing in the workforce — helping strengthen the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
More Information
Printable and translated program materials are available.
- Program overview: available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
- Additional program information and materials are available at Health Care Premium Assistance for Employees of Child Care Facilities | Washington Health Benefit Exchange (wahbexchange.org).
For additional information, contact WAHBE Sponsorship and Outreach Manager Genny Arredondo at genevieve.arredondo@wahbexchange.org.
Yakima Neighborhood Health Services has trained assistors available to help workers determine if they qualify. Any employee of a DCYF licensed child care facility can contact Yakima Neighborhood Health Services at ccnavi@ynhs.org or 509-574-0826 to see if they qualify and sign up.