In 2024, RAPID and ReadyNation Washington partnered to hear from families with young children in Washington state. Data in this report complement a report earlier this year from ReadyNation Washington and Child Care Aware of Washington, The Economic Impacts of Insufficient Child Care Cost Washington State $5 Billion Annually, that looks at the impacts of child care on Washington’s economy, including parents, businesses, and taxpayers.

Since April 2020, we have been using the RAPID Survey Project to ask families with young children about their ability to meet basic needs. In mid-2022, we saw a rise in the number of parents reporting at least one material hardship. RAPID measures material hardship by asking parents if they are experiencing difficulty paying for basic needs, such as food, housing, utilities, child care, healthcare, and wellness activities.