A Message from leadership
Do you want to receive this update in your email? Sign up for our Community Newsletter and Child Care Updates twice monthly send by subscribing here.
This month’s update from Interim Director Carey McCann
It’s hard to believe that Fall is almost over! For many young children and educators that means a new program year is well underway, and some of our littlest learners are experiencing early learning and care for the first time. October was also Head Start Awareness Month, when we honor the work Head Start has been doing to create opportunity for children and families across the nation.
Remembering Representative Hoa Nguyen
I wanted to start my message by remembering with honor and great respect the late Representative Hoa Nguyen. On October 9, the State of Oregon lost a passionate and fierce advocate for children and families in our state. Rep Nguyen was a champion for DELC and early learners; she chaired the Early Childhood and Human Services Committee and the Child Care Caucus. This Fall DELC co-organized with the Child Care Caucus a tour of childcare facilities around the state. I was in Bend on a Baby Promise site tour with Rep Nguyen’s Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Jules Walters, the morning of October 9. Rep Walters led a moment of silence, and also wrote this touching tribute to her late colleague and friend: Remembering Hoa Nguyen. OPB has also written an article in remembrance: Oregon state Rep. Hòa Nguyễn dies at 41 – OPB.
What I am Listening to this Month:
Check out the podcast Early Link by Oregon’s own Children’s Institute that is highlighting national, regional, and local voices working in the field of early care and education. In the most recent episode, Kali Thorne Ladd interviews Isabelle Hau, author of Love to Learn, an exploration of how early relationships shape the architecture of the brain and the foundation for lifelong learning. I was struck by their discussion about what it takes to fuel curiosity, resilience, and growth. Hau shares that this book is for educators, parents, grandparents, and changemakers who believe the future begins with how we care for our youngest learners.
Out and About
September and October were busy months!
In addition to the Bend Baby Promise site visit I mentioned above, I joined a group of almost 30 legislators, staff, advocates and system partners at a tour of the Gladstone Center for Children and Families, which hosts Head Start/Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten and Preschool Promise classrooms, as well as a Relief Nursery in the same complex. It was wonderful to witness how state and local investments in early learning care are making a difference in community.
September 29 – October 1st the Oregon Legislature convened for interim legislative committee days. During Legislative Days, committees hold informational hearings on topics that may lead to future legislation, hear updates on bill implementation, listen to reports from state agencies and Task Forces, and keep current on emerging issues affecting Oregonians.
Changes at the federal level were top of mind for legislators during committee days. On Monday, September 29, DELC’s Early Learning Programs Director, Dorothy Spence, and I presented to the House Early Childhood Human Services Committee alongside Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) staff at a hearing on the impacts of HR 1 – the massive tax bill passed by Congress in July. ODHS spoke about how HR 1 will impact those who participate in Oregon’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program. We spoke about the impacts of federal changes on Oregon families and the early childhood education workforce, challenges experienced by local Head Start programs, and future actions we will be watching closely. Click here to view the agenda and watch a recording of the presentation.
On Wednesday, October 1st, newly-appointed Early Learning Council (ELC) Chair Liz Farrar Campbell presented to the Senate Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health. Chair Farrar Campbell introduced the committee to the ELC and its current priorities. To view the presentation, click here. Many thanks to Early Learning Council Administrator Gaby Hernandez, who developed the presentation and represented DELC at the committee hearing.
Speaking of the Early Learning Council, on October 20-22 I attended the Council’s annual retreat in Salem. The retreat brought together council members, community partners, parents, home visitors and regional leaders from Early Learning Hubs and CCR&Rs to share their efforts in child care. The Council also hosted a reception with legislators, community leaders, advocates, and champions – an inspiring evening that reaffirmed collective dedication in the work we all do for Oregon’s youngest children and their families. The final day of the retreat consisted of updates from DELC and our agency partners in Raise Up Oregon – the Oregon Health Authority, the Departments of Education and Human Services, along with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, sharing their early childhood focus for the upcoming year. Johnna Timmes, Governor Tina Kotek’s Education Advisor, concluded the retreat by joining the Council to discuss the importance of maintaining a strong focus on young children and families across the state.
Update Regarding Federal Government Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown continues, our update is similar to what we shared last month. DELC continues to not anticipate immediate disruptions to services and operations. At this time, programs remain operational, and we have not had problems drawing down federal funds in October. We will continue to monitor the situation.
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. Grantees can reach out to their grant administrator or DELC contact with questions or concerns. 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.
Tribal Heritage Month
In this month of November, we proudly join in celebrating Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and uplift the enduring cultures, histories, and contributions of Tribal Nations. As a part of that celebration, we want to highlight the historical milestone of Oregon’s Tribal Early Learning Plan.
On October 8, the 2025 Tribal-State Government to Government Summit was held at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in Coos Bay co-hosted by the Coquille Indian Tribe. During a morning bill signing ceremony “From Words to Actions” Governor Kotek recognized legislative advancements in early learning. HB 2815, the Tribal Early Learning Plan puts Tribal sovereignty and self-determination at the forefront. Ensuring that the nine federally recognized Tribes within Oregon’s borders hold the ability to focus on initiatives most relevant for their Nations, the creation of a Tribal Early Learning Fund allows Tribes flexible funding access for early learning resources and strengthens Oregon’s government-to-government relationships.
You can read more about the 2025 Tribal-State Government to Government Summit in the blog posts below.
Supporting Oregon’s immigrant families, workforce and children
Recent events, including the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demonstrations in Portland, are affecting Oregonians in different ways. We have also heard heightened concerns from providers about ICE presence near Oregon childcare facilities in recent weeks. All families should feel safe in their communities, and while we at DELC can do to prevent this from happening, I wanted to reiterate DELC’s commitment to upholding our responsibilities under Oregon sanctuary laws.
Oregon is a Sanctuary State and Governor Tina Kotek has made it clear that these laws have been on the books since the 1980s and exist because the state believes that immigrants are integral to the culture and success of Oregon. State law prohibits state and local government agencies, including law enforcement, from using public resources to enforce federal immigration laws without a signed judicial warrant. This means that everyone in Oregon should be able to live, work, attend school, report crimes and access public services without fear of being reported to ICE by state or local officials. If you believe these laws are being violated, please report it to the Sanctuary Promise Violations Hotline at 1-844-924-STAY (1-844-924-7829). Operators are standing by 9am to 5pm, Monday – Friday with interpreters in over 240 languages. The Oregon Department of Justice offers an online Justice Sanctuary Promise Guidance webpage with helpful resources for employees and communities, including: Community Toolkit, Information for Public Schools, and Outreach Materials and Media. In addition to these resources, DELC has also shared the following two resources with our programs and partners geared for providers in September:
- The Center for Law and Social Policy’s Guide to Creating ‘Safe Space’ Policies for Early Childhood Programs: https://www.clasp.org/publications/report/brief/guide-creating-safe-space-policies-early-childhood-programs/
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s Preparing for Possible Immigration Enforcement: Guidance for Childcare Providers: https://www.ilrc.org/resources/preparing-possible-immigration-enforcement-guidance-childcare-providers
Food Access
We are also monitoring the federal government shutdown closely. November SNAP food benefits are delayed due to the federal shutdown. Benefits will be issued after funding resumes. We know this is difficult for families who rely on food assistance programs.
If families have any unused SNAP funds on their EBT cards from previous months, those funds will rollover and can be used by families after November 1, 2025. The shutdown means that November’s allocation will not be added.
OHA also continues to monitor federal legislative developments and their impacts on WIC funding as the government shutdown continues. At this time, the federal government provided funding for Oregon’s WIC program to continue into November. This includes services such as enrollment, breastfeeding support and connection to community services. WIC offices are open. However, funding for the food benefit (EBT) is only through November 15.
Free and reduced price school meals will still be available. The shutdown is not currently impacting the National School Lunch Program.
During the month of November, we will use our social media and blog posts to update any changes around food access. In the meantime, please see these community resources from ODHS if you are looking for resources near you:
Here’s what you can do:
- Check your EBT balance. Any unused SNAP benefits will stay available after Nov. 1, 2025
- Know where you can find emergency food if needed.
- Keep following all SNAP rules.
- Follow ODHS updates through our communication channels.
If SNAP benefits are delayed, ODHS will announce it through the media and our websites. We will not send a letter. For fast updates, sign up for a ONE Online account or download the Oregon ONE Mobile app.
Federal Government Shutdown and SNAP Benefit Updates: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/news/Pages/snap-updates.aspx