by Heidi Smith In Washington State, over half of the annual budget goes toward K-12 education, yet just over one percent of those funds are spent on childcare. The industry has been in crisis for decades, with many parents unable to afford up to $14,000 in annual daycare costs while childcare providers typically earn minimum…
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Advisor We have until September 30, 2020, to make sure every person in Thurston County is counted. An accurate U.S. Census is critical for each of us because the foundation of public policy is based on 1) how many people there are, and 2)…
by Kathryn Milhorn As summer winds to a close most of us turn our minds to the classroom. Supply lists pop up in every store and back-to-school specials abound. But Autumn 2020 is …let’s just say… unique. With classes starting soon, our regional colleges and universities are working hard to develop a safe, healthy way…
by Alison Bailey Sequoia Hartman’s northeast Olympia childcare center and preschool, Sequoia’s Treehouse, was in an unusually fortunate position when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in our community in March. As our community continues to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, few sectors are more tenuous than childcare. Parents need to work to support their families, and not…