Infants, toddlers need priority

The budget negotiations in the Washington Legislature are stalled over a basic disagreement about revenue needed to fund budget priorities. Unfortunately, many vital programs hang in the balance while the debate continues.

To date, the number of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities has increased 58 percent since 2006 while funding for early intervention services has increased only 18 percent during that same time period. Studies show that these critical services are cost effective and actually save taxpayers money — over a third of the children that access early intervention therapies before age 3 reach their developmental milestones and no longer need ongoing support later in school. That’s an amazing return on investment by any standard!

Increased funding for this program to keep pace with the increase in children utilizing the services was in the governor’s and House budgets but not ultimately included in the Senate budget. This comes at a time when Washington just slipped from 38th in the nation to 45th in providing fiscal effort for people with developmental disabilities. We need to do better!

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

It is human to hope, when times are lean, that we can meet the needs of our state without additional revenue. But these are not lean times — Washington state has rebounded exponentially from the dark days of 2008, yet more and more children need help. Please don’t leave infants and toddlers behind in the final budget negotiations.

Lance Morehouse

Executive Director

Sherwood Community Services

Wee Care Coalition of Snohomish County

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Sunday, May 18

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Loss of research funds threat to climate resilience

The Trump administration’s end of a grant for climate research threatens solutions communities need.

In the summer of 2021, members of the Skagit River System Cooperative counted fish in the restored estuary of Leque Island near Stanwood. What they found was encouraging. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210817
Comment: Ignoring the climate choice to adapt or die

The loss of funding for climate adaptation science will leave regions to weather impacts on their own.

Reverse Congress librarian’s unjust firing

I am beyond heartbroken by the unceremonious firing of Dr. Carla Hayden,… Continue reading

Should states handle issue of immigration?

OK, here we go again. The southern states have been screaming ‘states’… Continue reading

Candidates without opponents should decline donations

No candidates registered to run against Jared Mead or Nate Nehring for… Continue reading

Why does Trump need three 747s?

If children can make do with two dolls instead of 30 while… Continue reading

No doubt about what Trump is doing to nation

There is no doubt about it. The Trump administration is in reality… Continue reading

Among the programs sponsored by Humanities Washington was a Prime Time Family Reading Event at the Granite Falls Sno-Isle Library in March. (Rachel Jacobson)
Comment: Loss of humanities grants robs us of connections

The loss of $10 million in humanities funding in the state diminishes what celebrates human creativity.

Comment: Democrats’ tax plan aimed at ‘villain,’ hit consumers

The governor should veto a B&O tax increase that will hit food prices at stores and restaurants.

Comment: Compare tax choices of 3 states and watch what happens

Idaho and Montana cut their taxes. Washington raised taxes to historic levels. Will an exodus result?

Sarah Weiser / The Herald
Air Force One touches ground Friday morning at Boeing in Everett.
PHOTO SHOT 02172012
Editorial: There’s no free lunch and no free Air Force One

Qatar’s offer of a 747 to President Trump solves nothing and leaves the nation beholden.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.