King County Council just passed emergency legislation to provide free childcare to eligible families of first responders and other essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measure, requested by Executive Dow Constantine and approved unanimously by the King County Council, will use $2.2 million in unspent Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account funding to address childcare needs during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Council recognized that families have had difficulty finding childcare right now, as many facilities have closed due to low enrollment.

Those who will receive free childcare include, “front-line essential medical professionals and support staff, first responders, childcare providers who are providing emergency care, grocery and pharmacy employees, and transit workers.”

In order to carry out the measure, the County will work with Childcare Resources to identify providers and match families with vacant slots.

Additionally, eligible childcare providers will be reimbursed at higher rates to reflect start-up costs associated with new health and safety guidelines, health insurance offsets, or whatever is most needed for the site to continue operating. This effort, the Council says, will help ensure these facilities are still operating when the pandemic ends and families return to their normal working lives.

King County’s Department of Community and Human Services will oversee the program, while the City of Seattle will administer service agreements and payments.

Photo: Loyal Heights Elementary