Please contact our Family Service Specialists and they will assist you through the application process. For more information about our Family Service Specialists, please refer to the Family Services section of this website or contact Gwen (509-826-8149) or Claudia (509-826-8147). 

ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) is a comprehensive preschool program that provide free services and support to eligible children and their families. The goal of the program is to help ensure all Washington children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. The program includes:

• Early learning preschool

• Family support and parent involvement

• Child health coordination and nutrition

Information presented on this site is attributed to DCYF. For more information about ECEAP, please refer to: ECEAP Headstart

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP, pronounced "e-cap") helps children and families get ready for kindergarten. ECEAP is funded by Washington State and is free to enrolled families. It serves three and four-year-olds from low income families, or with developmental or environmental risk factors that could interfere with school success.

ECEAP includes preschool education, health services coordination, and family support services. Children who attend learn to manage their feelings, get along with others and follow classroom procedures. They build the beginning skills for reading, math and science. The program works closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals. ECEAP also helps families access medical and dental care and social services.

Compared to similar children who do not attend, children in programs like ECEAP are:

• Healthier when they start kindergarten.

• More likely to graduate from high school and go onto college.

• More likely to be employed and to earn more as an adult.

• Less likely to be in special education or repeat a grade in school.

• Less likely to become pregnant as a teen or become involved in a crime.

Research shows high-quality programs like ECEAP save states money over the long run by reducing the need for remedial services in schools, social services and criminal justice. For more information regarding ECEAP, please refer to Early Support for Infants & Toddlers or contact us.

Children are accepted into ECEAP based on their age, family income, or other reasons they would benefit from education, family support and health services.  ECEAP prioritize children who are 4 years old by August 31st and accept children who are 3 years old by August 31st when space is available. Please contact a Family Services Specialist to find out if your child is eligible to enroll.