State-supported child care

Children Receiving State-Subsidized Child Care

Fiscal
Year
Average
Monthly
Caseload
2023 40,818
2022 35,557
2021 35,496
2020 43,700
2019 47,265
2018 51,464
2017 42,466
2016 29,828
2015 49,575
2014 47,622
2013 42,700
2012 43,798
2011 60,314
2010 64,127
2009 61,113
2008 64,419
2007 64,287
2006 65,849
2005 66,861
2004 67,298
2003 71,909

Compared to Population Age 12 & Under

  • The average monthly caseloads shown here include children receiving subsidized child care in Child Care Development Fund programs as well as Therapeutic Child Care and child care through Adoption Support.
  • Most state-subsidized child care is for children under 13. Children age 13 to 18 are eligible for subsidies if they are physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves or are under court supervision.
  • Declining caseloads in fiscal year 2012 and 2013 were partially a result of policy changes implemented between October 2010 and March 2011.
  • Increases in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 resulted from the reversal of the 2010 and 2011 policy changes.
  • With the advent of "stay at home" directives to help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for child care fell in FY 2020 and FY 2021.
  • With the rebound in the economy, and the return of folks to a more normal work situations, the number of child care enrollees increased 14.8% in FY 2023.

Data sources:

E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov

Last updated
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.