Economic Security for All program officially signed into law

A program that strives to reduce poverty by coordinating services to help low-income Washingtonians has been signed into law.

On March 14, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Substitute House Bill 2230, which codifies the Economic Security for All (EcSA) program. The Employment Security Department operates the program in partnership with the 12 Washington Workforce Development Boards, coordinating with more than 160 local community service providers.

The program provides workforce, education and social services to all customers who are eligible. For example, EcSA:

• Helps individuals experiencing poverty reach self-sufficiency through jobs and careers.
• Focuses on marginalized groups with multiple obstacles.
• Helps people navigate poverty-reduction programs and regulations and provides financial help when needed.
• Works with businesses to support industry growth and increase employment opportunities through apprenticeships, retraining and more.

Bill puts goals into law

Substitute House Bill 2230 puts accountability measures into law that ensure EcSA meets its goals to help participants reach self-sufficiency.

The bill also puts into law coordination efforts by the Poverty Reduction Steering Committee and the Legislative-Executive WorkFirst Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force to measure progress.