Early Learning Access Opportunities

Pierce County is seeking proposals to expand access to high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities for children, with an emphasis on serving low- and moderate-income families. Backed by a $1 million investment, this initiative supports the Executive’s top priority: ensuring more children have access to quality early learning and care. All proposed services must be delivered within the Pierce County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) boundaries.

In 2015, the Washington State Legislature passed SB5987, establishing the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) in the state treasury as a part of transportation funding legislation. The account is funded from a sale and use tax offset fee of 3.25% of total payments made by Sound Transit on the cost of construction projects. A portion of these funds are distributed to counties to provide support for educational services that improve educational outcomes in early learning, K-12, and higher education for youth and young adults, including but not limited to those who are low income, experiencing homelessness, or in foster care, and other vulnerable populations.