September 16, 2025
The Employment Related Day Care Program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care. The Child Care Assistance Program is making changes to 5 ERDC related rules to clean up language, update language based on new policies and makes sure that the language is easy to read and understand.
- 414-175-0010: Waitlist for ERDC
Updates allow DELC to activate or deactivate specific waitlist exemption criteria independently based on available funding. Only the exemption criteria in effect at the time of application may be applied to determine placement on the waitlist.
- 414-175-0024: Verification Requirements
Consolidates verification requirements for the Special Needs Rate (SNR) and Special Needs Age (SNA) into one rule. Clarifies verification standards, including that SNA must be verified at both application and renewal, with self-attestation allowed only in limited circumstances.
- 414-175-0030: General Financial Eligibility
Adds Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) as additional examples of income types considered when determining available earned income. This aligns ERDC rules with ODHS program rules for consistency.
- 414-175-0075: Child Care Provider Eligibility Standards, Payment Rates, Payment Limits, and Payable Hours
Moves SNR verification requirements to OAR 414-175-0024 and updates language for clarity. Revises the rule to reflect 2026 provider rates (effective date only until bargaining is complete) and updates commute time language from “two hours per day” to “25 percent” for alignment with current process and ONE system functionality.
- 414-175-0076: High Needs Child Care Payments
Moves existing supplemental high need payment eligibility language from OAR 414-175-0075 to consolidate requirements. Adds a requirement for a written plan within the last 12 months (with flexibility for program delays) and requires the Department to review the supplemental payment annually.
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 Employment Related Day Care
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 October 7, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 1, 2025 The application deadline has been extended to October 7, 2025.
Visit the DELC Rulemaking Page to view the Rulemaking Calendar, Proposed Rules for Public Review and Comment, Rulemaking Advisory Committees that are recruiting or meeting, and Recently Adopted Rules. To receive ongoing updates on rulemaking activities, please sign-up here to subscribe and click on the Public Notices box.
Click below to view other Child Care Update articles
- DELC Community Webinar: Legislative & Budget Updates
- Your Voice Matters: 3rd Annual Child Care Business Survey Closing Soon!
- Join the Employment Related Day Care Program Rulemaking Advisory Committee
- Informational Webinar about Early Childhood Programs and Immigration Impacts
- ECB Connect Pilot Expands This Month