One year ago, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) published Growing Oregon Together, the agency’s first strategic plan along with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan. These foundational planning documents added structure and helped set a vision to prioritize work for the years ahead. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of teams across the agency, and of partners, DELC has made significant strides toward achieving our goals.
This first progress report provides an update on the ongoing metrics and tracking of implementation. It shows noteworthy achievements in continuing progress across all six goals.
Goal 1: Access
All families have access to high-quality (culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate) and affordable early learning and care that meets their needs.
What we heard from community engagement
“Increase access to coordinated, affordable early learning and care that meets provider, family, and community needs.”
What we accomplished
- Goal 1 status is on track
- DELC is tracking progress on 6 objectives and 23 Strategies
| On Track | 85% |
| Moderate Issues | 6% |
| Planned/Not Started | 9% |
Spotlight
Pictured above DELC leadership and representatives from the Governor’s office joined partners at a 60th anniversary celebration for Head Start. The event uplifted the value of high quality programs such as Head Start and Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten to ensure thousands of children across Oregon continue to have access to high quality care and wrap around supports. Governor Tina Kotek joins community partners and DELC leadership along with representatives from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Over the course of the year the program expanded access to cover all 36 counties in Oregon. Full statewide participation provides opportunities for children in every zip code to gain early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. DELC licensing staff visit with an outdoor nature based program in Washington prior to the Oregon rules taking effect. Outdoor nature-based programs are now licensed in Oregon which will help expand accessibility and ensure uniform health and safety standards.
Goal 2: Tribal Sovereignty
DELC honors and recognizes the sovereignty of the nine federally recognized Tribal Nations within Oregon and ensures strong government-to-government relationships to benefit Tribal communities.
What we heard from community engagement
“Honor and recognize the sovereignty and ensure strong government to government relationships to benefit Tribal communities.”
What we accomplished
- Goal 2 status is on track
- DELC is tracking progress on 3 Objectives and 7 Strategies
| On Track | 80% |
| Moderate Issues | 10% |
| Planned/Not Started | 10% |
Spotlight
After multiple months of gathering feedback from the nine federally recognized Tribes, the first version of a DELC Tribal Consultation Policy was successfully developed. Meaningful Tribal Consultation will help DELC establish strong policy and implementation rooted in a respectful government-to-government approach. The Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund also moved forward at the legislature and uplifts and honors Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Pictured from top to bottom Office of Tribal Affairs staff visit with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; the Coquille Tribal Learning Center gym features an inflatable planetarium; the Coquille Indian Tribe’s Plank House.
Goal 3: Infants and Toddlers
All families with infants and toddlers are supported through early learning and care programs that recognize and meet their unique needs.
What we heard from community engagement
“Expand resources and program supports for infants and toddlers.”
What we accomplished
- Goal 3 status is on track
- DELC is tracking progress on 3 objectives and 8 Strategies
| On Track | 67% |
| Planned/Not Started | 10% |
Spotlight
Pictured above DELC leadership and the Early Learning Council visit with staff and community members at the Growing Together Family Community Center in Grants Pass. The tour included the fully stocked diaper closet which was created at the request of community members and is available free of charge for caregivers of infants and toddlers and young children. Every county in Oregon is an infant desert for care and these learning opportunities help elevate community led solutions alongside other important work happening in regions across the state. For example Inclusive Partners held in-person networking and learning opportunities with Infant/Toddler Specialists and Baby Promise Coaches in order to build community relationships are encourage skill building around working with the earliest learners.
Goal 4: Workforce
The early learning and child care workforce is diverse, culturally responsive, highly qualified, and well compensated
What we heard from community engagement
“Increase provider and partner support, technical assistance, professional development, and compensation.”
What we accomplished
- Goal 4 status is on track
- DELC is tracking progress on 3 objectives and 12 Strategies
| Complete | 5% |
| On Track | 35% |
| Moderate Issues | 5% |
| Needs Attention | 5% |
| Planned/Not Started | 50% |
Spotlight
Pictured above Preschool Promise coaches are highlighted on stage in Ashland to share inspiration about Pyramid Model trainings. Director Chatterjee tours an early learning facility in Dalles on Child Care Provider Appreciation Day to elevate the importance of appreciation and sustained investments in this crucial workforce. Relief Nursery staff pause for a photo after a tour in Hillsboro. DELC leadership took part in more than two dozen site visits with the early learning workforce over the course of the year to hear directly from providers about what’s working and what challenges they face. Additional best practices were outlined in the completed report on Workforce Barriers (HB 2991) a study to identify barriers to a high-quality early childhood workforce and recommend opportunities.
Goal 5: Relationships
DELC deepens community engagement and empowerment, sustains partnerships, and communicates effectively.
What we heard from community engagement
“Increase authentic engagement with communities through establishing feedback loops and strengthening connections.”
What we accomplished
- Goal 5 status is on track
- DELC is tracking progress on 5 objectives and 14 Strategies
| Complete | 5% |
| On Track | 47% |
| Planned/Not Started | 47% |
Spotlight
Earlier this year, the Department of Early Learning and Care launched a “Caring Communities Tour.” These regional visits provide help to deepen relationships an opportunity for agency leadership to visit and learn about the unique issues faced by regional partners, providers and early learning professionals in the field. These visits also help to improve communication and deepen partnerships. Pictured above DELC staff visit with partners in Clackamas and Ashland. Children sing a graduation song at a Preschool Promise event attended by DELC leadership. Spending time in communities helps to sustain partnerships and elevate solutions.
Goal 6: Foundations
All families have access to high-quality (culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate) and affordable early learning and care that meets their needs.
What we heard from community engagement
“Increase transparency through clear policies,
procedures, and rules that reflect DELC’s Mission,
Vision, and Values.”
What we accomplished
- Goal 6 status is on track
- DELC is tracking progress on 5 objectives and 13
Strategies
| Complete | 5% |
| On Track | 81% |
| Moderate Issues | 2% |
| Needs Attention | 2% |
| Planned/Not Started | 9% |
Spotlight
DELC staff are hard at work developing and improving operational foundations including ways to work together and improve policies and customer service. Pictured above members of the communications team take photos at an all staff
conference, where Director Chatterjee collaborates around a table prompt. Over the course of the year, all DELC teams successfully completed trainings such as the “Developing a High Trust Culture” training. Mother/Daughter Licensing duo join with other staff for a potluck lunch at the Tualatin Field Office as part of a statewide effort coordinated by the Wellness Committee to host events across the agency to foster connection. Child Care Licensing Division data dashboard is one of four developed and published to improve transparency. DELC staff participate in the first annual Wellness Day and BBQ event
coordinated by Human Resources and the Wellness Committee, to provide opportunity for DELC staff to foster connection, tear down silos and, learn about available resources that support them and one another.
This is only a small sampling of the work that was accomplished. After one year of progress, we’re off to a strong start and making steady progress but this work is made possible alongside partners, Tribes, and families across Oregon working towards an early learning system that benefits all. There’s a great deal more work to do towards achieving these ambitious goals but we’re thrilled about how far we’ve collectively grown together. Read more about progress and download the full versions of the plans: Growing Oregon Together and the DEI Action Plan.
To view more metrics please visit the data dashboard
*Please note that the Strategic Plan and DEI Action Plan were developed under different time windows but published at the same date. Future versions will combine the work into one document with the same timeline.
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