COVID-19 PROVIDER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
The Early Learning Division (ELD) partnered with the Oregon Health Authority to develop resources on masking and exclusion for providers. Some of the items available include a “Respect my mask” sign for families in various languages, an updated exclusion chart, and masking handout.
You can find these resources, along with Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine, on the ELD’s “For Providers” webpage.
NAEYC’S WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD®: APRIL 2 TO 8, 2022
Let’s celebrate Oregon’s young children and their families! The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Check out NAEYC’s resources and ideas for a fun-filled week.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued a statewide proclamation to recognize the 51st Week of the Young Child®, encouraging Oregonians to support children and the adults who love, care for, and educate them.
As stated in the proclamation by Brown, “The essential, yet chronically undercompensated child care sector has sacrificed and struggled to serve families since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and public policies and public investments that support children in high-quality, culturally responsive early learning and child care are vital to all Oregonians.”
Watch for something special on Governor Kate Brown’s Twitter account this Thursday, April 7.
SPRING 2022 AWARD INCREASE FOR COVID-19 CHILD CARE STABILIZATION GRANT ANNOUNCED
After reviewing all the COVID-19 Child Care Stabilization Grant applications submitted in 2021, it was determined there were remaining funds to distribute. The funds will be distributed to all child cares with an active Stabilization grant. Child care providers who may be eligible for these funds were notified by email in March 2022. The Early Learning Division (ELD) is not opening a new application.
ELD is currently in the process of sending out the updated awards to eligible child cares for signatures. You must sign your grant within 30 days from the date you received it or it will expire. On average, awards will increase by about 25% and the grant end date will be extended by three months. If you do not wish to accept additional funding, simply reject it using the Decline to Sign feature under the Other Actions menu in DocuSign.
If you have questions, contact us at ECCgrants@ode.oregon.gov or 971-707-2029.
NEW REPORT REVEALS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY IN ADVANCING EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE EXPERIENCING DISABILITIES
Prioritizing partnerships to focus on equity and inclusion for children under five is critical to helping our earliest learners experiencing disabilities. That’s the key finding revealed in the Oregon Early Childhood Inclusion Indicators Initiative Annual Report released today by Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Early Learning Division, and early learning system leaders and advocates around the state.
The report, released during National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, outlines the vision, mission, and progress towards creating equal opportunity to access high-quality early care and education for children experiencing disabilities. It also highlights the need for continued investments to ensure families, providers, general and special education staff have the support they need to provide stable and continuous care for young children in community and early care and education environments. Read all the details in ODE’s news release.
REMINDERS
Call for Participation: IECMHC Rulemaking Advisory Committee
Join the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC). A RAC is a group of community members who will help the Early Learning Division shape and implement rule language for the IECMHC system, including the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. Apply today and help build an anti-racist, equity-focused IECMHC system. Applications are due Friday, April 8, 2022. Click here for more information on how to apply.
Save the dates:
- Provider Appreciation Day is May 6, 2022
Visit https://providerappreciation.org/ for more information. - Teacher Appreciation Week is May 1 to 7 and Teacher Appreciation Day is May 3, 2022
Visit https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/1407-teacher-appreciation-week-2022-resources for more information.