ACEs Action Alliance

SELF (Support for Early Learning and Families) is a local coalition that publishes a regular report card on issues facing families and young children in our region. View the entire report here.

A few facts about Southwest Washington from the report:

• One in six children aged zero–four (16 percent) is living in poverty.
• Three of five children aged zero–five (58 percent) have all parents in the workforce.
• Approximately 170 households with children under 18 are homeless.
• The median wage for childcare employees is $11.99 per hour.
• Two-thirds of licensed childcare providers are enrolled in Early Achievers.
• Forty-eight percent of children enter kindergarten ready to learn (according to WA Kids assessment). Statewide data shows that only 31 percent of low-income children enter kindergarten ready to learn.
• About half of rental households in our region are income distressed, spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
• Fourteen percent of people in our region are considered food insecure.
•  Twenty-two percent of the population receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.