Support for Early Learning & Families (SELF)

Fast Facts from the 2018 State of Our Children and Families Report

Children

• Minimum Wage – the impact on families and programs
• In Southwest Washington State,1 in 6 children aged 0-4 is living in poverty (or 16%).
• In Southwest Washington State, 3 out of 5 children aged 0-5 have all parents in the workforce (or 58%). This figure is similar for most counties in our region.

Families

• Minimum Wage – the impact on families and programs
• There are approximately 170 homeless households with children under 18 in Southwest Washington State.

Professionals

• In Southwest Washington State, the median wage for childcare employees is $11.99 per hour, which is just over half the median wage for all jobs ($21.37).
• In Southwest Washington State, two-thirds (66%) of licensed childcare providers are enrolled in Early Achievers.

Schools

• Minimum Wage – the impact on families and programs
• About half (48%) of children in SW Washington are entering kindergarten ready to learn; this is similar to the state average. Statewide, only 31% of low-income children enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Communities

• 51% of rental households in our region are income distressed, meaning that they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This is on par with the state rate.
• 14% of people in our region are considered food insecure, which means that they do not have enough food for themselves because they lack money and/or resources.
• 22% of people in our region receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits; this is similar to the state rate.

Sponsors