Early Childhood Professionals with International Degrees
HB 2504 required DELC to reduce barriers for early childhood professionals with international degrees. We have created guidance documents that will help program administrators determine qualifications using college credits and/or experience that was achieved internationally.
To find more information and guidance on determining staff qualifications using an international degree or transcripts please visit:
Teacher qualifications with an international degree or experience outside the U.S.
or
CF Provider qualifications with an international degree or experience outside the U.S.
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Baby Promise Program Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Baby Promise Program Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
Baby Promise offers free, high-quality early care and education for infants and toddlers from low-income families in Oregon. Serving children ages six weeks to three years, Baby Promise is a publicly funded program that uses CCDF funds to subsidize slots in eligible early learning and care programs to families with children (aged 6 weeks to 3 years) in coastal Douglas, Coos, Curry, Crook, Deschutes. Jefferson, and Multnomah counties.
The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is seeking diverse voices to represent families, Baby Promise early learning programs, child care resource and referral agencies, early learning hubs, and early learning system community partners.
Apply today to give input on the Baby Promise Program!
We are seeking diverse voices to represent groups within Oregon’s Early Learning system. Committee members may include:
- Families
- Early Learning and Care Programs and providers with contracted Baby Promise slots
- Child Care Resource & Referral representatives
- Representatives from advocacy organizations
- Union Representatives
- Representatives from programs who provide care for young children
- Representatives from culturally specific, community-based organizations
- Early Learning Hub representatives
- Higher Education Early Childhood Education Degree Program representatives
- Tribal Nations representatives
Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact Oregon’s children, families, early learning programs, and communities. Applications are due February 9, 2024.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 9, 2024
Apply now:
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? Please contact Maidie Rosengarden at 503-881-1441. Maidie.Rosengarden@delc.oregon.gov
Oregon Kids Credit
In 2023, the Legislature created the Oregon Kids Credit, which is a refundable credit for low-income families with young dependent children.
For families with a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of $25,000 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children ages 5 and under at the end of the year. The credit is reduced for families earning more than $25,000, with the credit being reduced to $0 when earning $30,000 or more.
Since the credit is refundable, the portion of credit that is more than what a person owes will be refunded to them. To claim the credit families need to file an Oregon state income tax return, where they can also claim other benefits, such as the Earned Income Credit and the Working Family Household and Dependent Care (WFHDC) credit for child care expenses.
Child Care Stabilization grant
During the week of January 8 notices were sent via email, and USPS letters were mailed to child care providers who were randomly selected for the federally required Child Care Stabilization grant review. Each notice is unique and contains specific information about the Child Care Stabilization grant they received. If child care providers were not notified, they were not selected for the grant review.
We have created a web page to provide information about the review and resources for child care providers and partners. All selected child care providers have until March 29, 2024 to submit the information. If you have questions, please contact eccgrants@delc.oregon.gov .
Reminder: Sign up for Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) email updates
Get the latest information on the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program by signing up for email updates.
The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care. Recently, the program has made improvements to work better for families. Due to increased demand and limited funding, ERDC has a waitlist for most families applying to the program. Families with specific needs can skip the waitlist.
Stay informed about ERDC program information and resources with email updates. Messages will be sent each quarter unless there is a time sensitive update. Families, providers, and community partners can also learn more about the program by visiting the website or tracking data on the new dashboard.
Reminder: Recent rule changes and updates are now in effect
New laws can require the Department of Early Learning and Care to develop or amend rules that impact children, families, child care providers, and others providing early learning services.
Recent rule changes and updates are now in effect. Read the final versions posted on the Child Care Rules page, or you can also review the Secretary of State’s Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Webpage and sort for the Department of Early Learning and Care. For questions, please contact your licensing specialist or customer service.
Thank you to the Rules Advisory Committees (RACs) who provided important input on the development of these rules.
Reminder:
CALLING ALL OREGON FAMILIES!
Join the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to share your ideas for our first agency strategic plan. We invite your insights on our strengths, addressing urgent needs, supporting providers, and future goals.
Register* for a zoom session and be eligible for $50 in compensation
Two Zoom sessions are being offered:
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm (English with interpretation)
Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:00 pm (Spanish Session)
To register for the January 24th session, please go to:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfu6vrTwjGJB4sGoOquFlo5Qdu1SkjGc#/registration
To register for the January 25, 2024 session, please visit:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsde6prjIpG2evJNhOCgRwMfNrVzZwWKQ#/registration
Reminder: CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: Micro-Center Pilot Program Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC)
During the 2023 legislative session, Senate Bill 1040 passed and requires The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to create a Micro-Center Pilot Program. The Micro-Center Pilot Program will select and work with small capacity child care programs from across the state to identify their unique barriers to licensing. The pilot will support the development of a sustainable model for micro-centers to provide affordable, high quality early learning opportunities to communities in this state.
DELC will create Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) to outline the pilot program application process, eligibility and selection criteria, and program guidelines. DELC will create a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on the proposed rules and identify financial and equity impacts related to rule implementation.
We are hoping to have additional Certified Center representatives apply to provide input on the unique barriers to licensing that effect small capacity child care centers.
DELC would also like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in the RAC:
- Directors/representatives of certified centers from across the state, particularly those representing centers with a capacity of less than 30 children.
- Parents/family members of children in these types of programs
- Registered and Certified Family Home providers
- Union Representative
- Micro-center community advocates or subject matter experts
- Representatives from culturally specific organizations working with young children
- Early Learning Hub representatives
- Tribal nation representatives
- Child Care Resource and Referral representatives
Participants will be compensated for their time and insights. The application period opens December 18, 2023 and closes January 19, 2024. There will be one RAC Meeting held Tuesday, January 30th from 3:00pm-5:00pm.
To apply for the Mico-Center Pilot Rules Advisory Committee, go to Department of Early Learning and Care : Rule Making : About Us : State of Oregon
Apply now:
- Application in English
- Aplicación en e spañol
- 中文申请
- Приложение на русском языке
- Ứng dụng bằng tiếng Việt
For questions about participation, please contact Carol Petersen carol.a.petersen@delc.oregon.gov
Reminder: Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC)
Did you know Oregon offers a tax credit to help families pay for childcare while they are working, looking for work, or attending school? The Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC) helps families with qualifying expenses—like paying for childcare at a licensed facility.
Qualified expenses must be paid by the family for care. Families must be able to prove that they paid qualified expenses to claim this credit. Proof of both the payment and a receipt from the childcare provider are required for each expense paid. Taxpayers who knowingly file a false claim for the WFHDC Credit and care providers or other individuals who knowingly assist in the filing of a false claim can be penalized.
For more information on income limits, qualifications, and instructions on how to claim the credit, see the Department of Revenue website. Help spread the word about this resource! If you’d like copies of a flyer to share this information with your clients, you can provide your address and the quantity you need to Jessica Wangler at DOR.
Reminder: Certified Child Care Center information video series
The Certified Child Care Center information video series will help Certified Child Care Center administrators and staff understand upcoming rule changes effective January 1, 2024.
You can visit DELC’s YouTube playlist Oregon Certified Child Care Center Rule Informational Series to use this resource!
Visit our YouTube page at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAB5luO3GasbPTfdsBgxf6quAICtHpDBB&si=DGNsBTGzoABM5Sba