A Message from leadership
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This month’s update from Interim Director Carey McCann
Update Regarding Federal Government Shutdown
Many of you likely noticed this morning’s news headlines this morning regarding a federal government shutdown. We have been planning for this potential scenario and are not anticipating immediate disruptions to DELC’s services and operations.
At this time, programs remain operational, and we don’t currently anticipate having problems drawing down funds in October and reimbursements should move forward uninterrupted.
For contracts that receive federal funding, we are working in close coordination with the Governor’s office to continually assess and mitigate any potential impacts if the shutdown is prolonged. If the shutdown continues into November, the DELC leadership team will be monitoring the situation and will continue to provide timely updates as information becomes available. Grantees can reach out to their grant administrator or DELC contact with additional questions or concerns.
While we are unlikely to see any immediate impact to early learning programs and supports, we recognize that the ongoing federal uncertainty can be distressing. We are here to help navigate this situation and as always — we recognize and appreciate your work.
She’s here! I’m thrilled to share that Alyssa and family welcomed baby Maya (My-Uh) in September. All are doing well and back at home settling into new routines. Alyssa passed on appreciation for all of the supportive messages, kind words, and well wishes from staff and partners.
Hunt Institute
I had the opportunity to attend the Hunt Insitute conference recently alongside other early learning partners. We heard from leaders from across the country as they shared innovative ideas for increasing access to preschool and child care, along with the importance of the early years on a child’s long-term development. One of the new presentations was by the Prenatal to Age 3 Policy Impact Center – check out their roadmap on Oregon about how we are doing on the what they have identified as the 12 most effective evidence-based investments states can make to foster opportunities for infants and toddlers.
Head Start Awareness Month
This month is Head Start Awareness Month! Head Start has been serving children and families across the country since 1965. Recognizing the tremendous impact of this two-generation program, Oregon created the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten program (Oregon Prekindergarten at the time) to extend the federal Head Start model with state funds. Now, thousands of families are benefiting from these services across the state. You can learn more about Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten/Head Start on our website: https://www.oregon.gov/delc/programs/Pages/head-start-opk.aspx.
Outdoor Nature Based Programs – Celebrating the First Certified Outdoor Program
I am excited to share that with the first Outdoor Nature Based Program has gained certification as of this summer. You may know that DELC, with the support of partners and community, has been working to define rules and regulations surrounding the rules for certification of outdoor programs.
In 2023, House Bill 2717 added outdoor child care program to the definition of “child care facility” opening the way for the DELC to develop a path for outdoor programs to become licensed. The process for developing Oregon’s Certified Outdoor Nature-Based child care rules included consulting with current programs in Oregon, using Washington’s ONB rules as a guide, conducting site visits in Washington and Oregon, and gathering feedback from an advisory committee of advocates and professionals knowledgeable in this type of care. Throughout the process DELC has remained focused on foundational health and safety standards.
Thank you to the outdoor programs who provided feedback and guidance to help us create strong foundational standards for certification.
Federal CCDF Site Visit
As many of you know, DELC receives federal funding through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Every three years, federal staff conduct an on-site monitoring visit to ensure our practices align with our CCDF State Plan. This year’s visit took place September 9–11, 2025.
Our federal partners reviewed documents, interviewed staff, and observed how we implement policies across licensing, training, and eligibility processes—including collaboration with ODHS on ERDC subsidy determinations. A heartfelt thank you to all who supported this successful visit, including the:
- Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) Tualatin Field Office
- CCLD Salem Field Office
- Grants Management
- Internal Audits
- Policy & Government Affairs
- Direct Pay Unit
- Child Care Assistance Program
- Child Care & Development Fund Office
- CCLD Director’s Office
- Operations Director’s Office
- Early Childhood Policy and Strategy Office
- Enforcement Office
Your expertise and collaboration were key in representing Oregon’s child care system to our federal partners. Thank you!