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Understanding the WA Cares Fund: What HR Professionals Need to Know
By
Mariah Davis, MSW, Outreach Specialist at Northwest Regional Council (NWRC)
Thursday, May 14th, 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Virtual Only
Washington is the first state in the nation to establish a worker-earned, worker-funded long-term care benefit, making the WA Cares Fund a pioneering approach to addressing the growing long-term care needs of an aging population. As the program continues to evolve, HR professionals play a critical role in helping employees understand and navigate this benefit.
Beginning in July 2023, most Washington workers started contributing to the WA Cares Fund through payroll deductions. July 2026 marks the first time eligible individuals may access benefits, making now an especially important moment for employers and HR teams to be informed, prepared, and compliant.
This session will provide a clear, practical overview of the WA Cares Fund, including how the program works today, key legislative updates since its introduction, and how HR professionals can appropriately support employees who may need to use the benefit. Attendees will gain context not only on compliance requirements, but also on the broader workforce and societal challenges the program is designed to address.
Learning Objectives:
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Understand what the WA Cares Fund is and how the benefit works
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Review key legislative changes since the program’s creation in 2019
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Learn how to direct employees to appropriate resources and supports when accessing the benefit
This session is ideal for HR professionals, people leaders, and managers supporting Washington-based employees who want to stay informed, compliant, and ready to guide their workforce through an important and evolving benefit landscape.
About the Speaker:
Mariah Davis, MSW, is an Outreach Specialist at Northwest Regional Council (NWRC), where she provides education and outreach about the WA Cares Fund. Her professional background includes working with children, adolescents, women experiencing homelessness, and older adults. She is passionate about advocating for equitable, accessible long-term care options that support individuals and families across the lifespan.
Attendees earn one (1) recertification credit for SHRM and/or HRCI certifications.
