COVID-19 RISK LEVELS “HIGH” FOR THREE OREGON COUNTIES
Oregon’s Curry, Coos and Hood River counties are now categorized in “high” transmission according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated COVID-19 community levels. This signals a need for increased prevention strategies in child care. For these counties, we recommend the following:
- Implement universal indoor masking. All individuals (aged 2 and older) should wear a well-fitting face-covering indoors regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Information about vaccinations can be found at Get Vaccinated Oregon.
- Be aware of COVID-19 symptoms, and individuals should be excluded if symptoms develop. If symptomatic, it is recommended they get tested for COVID-19.
- A child or staff, regardless of vaccination status, must stay at home if they have primary symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, chills, shortness of breath, new cough, or new loss of taste or smell), or go home if symptoms develop while at child care, and get tested.
Programs are required to report COVID-19 cases to their local Public Health Authority.
Find more best practices and guidelines in our COVID-19 Requirements and Recommendations.
CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels help communities and individuals make decisions on what COVID-19 prevention strategies to use based on disease transmission rates in the community. The metrics are updated weekly. You can refer to the CDC map for the latest information. These levels factor in a combination of COVID-19 hospitalization rates, healthcare capacity, and cases.
If you have questions, please contact your licensing specialist or email ProviderContact@ode.oregon.gov.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
TAKE THE DELC MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES FEEDBACK SURVEY
The Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) wants your input in establishing the new agency, Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). Complete the survey and help create a mission, vision, and values that reflect, represent, and support Oregon communities.
DELC MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES: ATTEND A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
You may have already taken a survey about the draft mission, vision and values (MVV) for the new agency, the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). We have an additional opportunity for you to make your voice heard as we set the foundation for DELC.
Register to attend a Community Conversations, an interactive engagement opportunity designed specifically to hear what you think about the draft MVV statements.
Child Care Providers
Thursday, June 23 | 6 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 28 | 6 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 29 | 6 to 7 p.m.
(Spanish)
Wednesday, July 6 | 6 to 7 p.m.
(Russian)
Publicly Funded Program Grantees
(Healthy Families Oregon, Relief Nurseries, Oregon Pre-Kindergarten, Preschool Promise, Baby Promise, etc.)
Monday, June 27 | 5 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 29 11 a.m. to noon
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) and Early Learning Hub Partners
Monday, June 27 | 11 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, June 28 | 11 a.m. to noon
CELBRATING PRIDE MONTH!
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ movement and people in your community! In June and throughout the year, take action to support the inclusivity and equality of Oregonians from the LGBTQ+ community. Zero to Three asked LGBTQ+ providers and families what makes them feel welcome. Here is what one parent shared:
“It starts with a culture of inclusivity and acceptance. One of the things we love most about our daughter’s preschool is their genuine love and acceptance of our family that is felt from the program director down through the teachers. They show us this by sending home two plants on Mother’s Day, having lessons about different types of families, asking us what we prefer to be called, and just always showing us we are welcome, seen, and valued.”
– Hannah, LGBTQ+ Parent
Click below for more resources on how to support children, families, and staff.
- Celebrate Pride 2022 with Ongoing Resistance, Activism and Solidarity | Learning for Justice
- Celebrating Pride Month and Inclusion for All Families | Zero to Three
- Beyond Words: Lydia Gray-Holifield is a Voice for All Parents | Family Equality
- Creating a Welcoming Early Childhood Program for LGBT-Headed Families | Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
- How to Make Your School More Welcoming for LGBTQ Families | Edutopia
HAPPY JUNETEENTH!
Although Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021, communities have been celebrating and remembering what happened on June 19, 1865 for many years. Juneteenth (also termed Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day) honors when the remaining 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Confederate states were legally declared free two years after Emancipation.
Celebrate by attending Juneteenth events, virtual and in person, that are taking place across the state and nation. Recognize and honor this holiday with your early learning and care community. Explore the below resources and share with your network:
- 17 Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth With Kids | We are Teachers
- 5 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with your Family | PBS for Parents
- Celebrating Juneteenth | Learning for Justice
- 7 Books for Celebrating Juneteenth | PBS for Parents
- Juneteenth Upcoming Programs, Juneteenth Social Media Toolkit, NMAAHC Kids Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth | The Smithsonian’s National Museum for African American History and Culture
We are celebrating fathers and father figures who make a
difference in our lives. ELD wishes you an early Happy Father’s Day!