Economic Security for All (EcSA) is a poverty reduction initiative created by Washington State’s former Governor Jay Inslee that supports the development of comprehensive, locally driven approaches to help low-income people move toward sustained economic self-sufficiency. It began in 2019 with federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Statewide Activities funds, and in 2022, state funding was added, allocated from the general fund. According to the EcSA Final Evaluation Report by Social Policy Research Associates, $15.2 million in federal funds and $15.5 million in state funds were allocated to Local Workforce Development Boards between July 2019 and July 2023.
Workforce Southwest Washington was selected as one of the first four areas in Washington to pilot the EcSA program, alongside Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council, Spokane Workforce Council, and Workforce Central. Seeing the successes of the pilot programs, Governor Inslee expanded the EcSA program to all 12 workforce development areas of the state.
According to the Employment Security Department’s December 2024 EcSA Legislative Report, in just its first year, EcSA allowed more than 1,285 low-income Washington families to be served. Many of these families were people of color and people from traditionally underserved communities. In addition, 424 families with annual incomes of less than $10,000 reached self-sufficiency, increasing their median annual income to $44,762.
From July 2019 to January 2024, EcSA grantees collectively enrolled 3,298 people, with an average program duration of about five months. Median quarterly earnings of EcSA participants at enrollment were $2,928, increasing by $5,280 after completing the program, to $8,208 in the fourth quarter after program exit.
Due to the program’s success statewide, Economic Security for All continued to grow. The Washington College Grant expanded in 2023, enabling all EcSA participants to receive additional financial support for education and training at Washington Community Colleges and elsewhere. EcSA programming also expanded in July 2023 to serve a limited number of individuals above 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and not at Self-Sufficient wages. In early 2024, the state legislature passed a new law, HB 2230, codifying the State EcSA program, which will enable long-term planning for the preservation and expansion of the program.
Governor Jay Inslee signs Economic Security for All into law March 14, 2024
Seeing its success, the Washington State Department of Commerce aligned its Community Reinvestment Project with Economic Security for All. Washington State Legislature set aside $200 million in the Community Reinvestment Account for the Department of Commerce to invest in communities disproportionately harmed by the historical design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession. The goal of this project is to support communities disproportionately impacted by the “war on drugs.”
The Washington State Department of Commerce distributed Community Reinvestment funds to the 12 Local Workforce Development Boards in Washington with Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) being awarded approximately $3.6 million.
With these funds, WSW has launched new programs and services through WorkSource and other partners to support historically underrepresented and marginalized communities and businesses. These services include:
- Career Acculturate Incentives that provide $1,000 per month to individuals receiving career development assistance from the Economic Security for All program to aid them in achieving self-sufficient employment. As of December 2024, the Incentives program has provided more than $800,000 to participants in Southwest Washington.
- In addition, eligible recipients can access a Matched Investment Savings Account, which offers a 2:1 match for their savings, up to a maximum of $30,000, with $20,000 provided in matched funds. These accounts are designed to promote financial self-sufficiency through asset building and financial coaching. The success of the Matched Investment Savings Accounts has been remarkable, with participants using the matched funds to invest in homeownership, vehicle purchases, postsecondary education, and home improvements or expansions.
To date, more than 1,040 Southwest Washington residents have benefited from this investment. Among them, 287 received job training at either Clark College or Lower Columbia College, and 481 transitioned to employment with a median annual wage of $41,600 in crucial sectors like Advanced Manufacturing and Healthcare. Even more impressive, for every $1 invested, the return on investment is $5.34—the highest return in the state by far.
WSW also fosters business growth by providing funding and strategic support for recruitment, training, and employee retention — ensuring Southwest Washington companies have access to a skilled workforce.
To assist WSW in executing our initiatives, we contracted with three local community-based organizations. Business Impact NW, Fourth Plain Forward, and LatinoBuilt. With the help of these organizations, we have been able to leverage community reinvestment funds to increase workforce services in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties and provide workshops and educational classes to empower small businesses in our three counties.
We are already seeing the impact the Community Reinvestment Project is having on local small businesses.
- Our partners at Business Impact NW have provided one-on-one, in-depth business advice, lending, and technical assistance services to grow businesses that create jobs in our priority populations.
- Our partners at Fourth Plain Forward hosted a job fair for local small businesses, along with multiple workshops designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs enhance their professional skills. These events also provided Spanish and ASL interpretation to ensure accessibility for all. Microgrants are also being offered to aid in business growth and sustainability.
- Additionally, our partners at LatinoBuilt have brought bilingual education to Southwest Washington business owners, equipping contractors with essential knowledge on estimating and bidding, contract management, and basic safety.
Economic Security for All and The Community Reinvestment Project are vital initiatives that support individuals, small businesses and entrepreneurs in Southwest Washington, helping them overcome generational barriers and achieve self-sufficiency and lasting economic success.
To connect with Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) about these programs, contact our Program Manager, Mando Antonio at mantonio@workforcesw.org or 360.567.3185.
