o address unique and highest priority child care needs and expand child care capacity. • Projects must be responsive to local community needs related to the lack of access to affordable and quality child care in a defined community. • Successful grantees will propose project activities that demonstrate understanding of current community conditions and culture and identify activities to increase child care access and the number of available slots. • Proposers must define the geographic and demographic community(ies) that the project intends to serve. • Projects must engage a diverse group of committed community partners to collaboratively plan and execute sustainable, effective initiatives that remove barriers and enhance the capacity to implement solutions. Projects shall engage multiple community partners including, but not limited to, representatives from the following sectors - as appropriate and available in the community: • Businesses (employers) • Child care providers • Community-based organizations • Economic development • Education / Educational Service Districts (ESD) • Faith based organizations • Health care / behavioral health • Higher education • Local government • Non-profits • Parents and caregivers • Social service agencies • State agencies • Statewide child care organizations • Tribes in Washington • Youth serving organizations • Other
