March 2, 2026
The Department of Early Learning and Care and its Office of Tribal Affairs is excited to announce the launch of the new Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance advisory body.
DELC would like to formally congratulate and welcome the following individuals to OTELA, who have been appointed by the respective Tribe to serve in this capacity:
Burns Paiute Tribe
Elise Adams
Amber Weller
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Jennifer Reid
Jesse Jackson
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
Jemiah Wassman
Julie Siestreem
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Ashlee Webb
Justine Flynn
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Alissa Lane
Sonya Moody-Jurado
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Jaimie Crane
Jory Spencer
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Valerie Switzler
Taw (T.J.) Foltz
Coquille Indian Tribe
Becky Cantrell
Barb Shelton
Klamath Tribes
Jennifer Jackson
The first OTELA meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2026. The meeting will take place from 1:00-2:30pm PST.
If you would like to attend the meeting, please email Dori Houser, Tribal Affairs Coordinator, at Dorianne.Houser@delc.oregon.gov.
About OTELA
House Bill 2815 (2025) created OTELA and the Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund (TELP/F), codified in ORS 417.831. OTELA is the formal advisory committee established by DELC to guide the development and implementation of the TELP/F. The Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund is a statewide early learning and care plan for Native American and Alaska Native children, ages birth to eight, who are enrolled in early childhood care or education programs.
OTELA will be responsible for advising DELC on the development and implementation of the Tribal Early Learning Plan; recommending the distribution of funds; and providing input on the delivery of culturally and linguistically responsive early learning services.
DELC looks forward to working with the newly formed Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance and strengthening Tribal early learning in Oregon together.
Please contact the Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA) Liaison, Dana Castano, via email at dana.castano@delc.oregon.gov or by phone at 971-718-4393 if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
-DELC Office of Tribal Affairs
- Lloyd Commander, Tribal Affairs Director, Lloyd.commander@delc.oregon.gov
- Dana Castano, Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA) Liaison, dana.castano@delc.oregon.gov
- Dorianne Houser, Tribal Affairs Coordinator, dorianne.houser@delc.oregon.gov
We invite you to stay connected! Check out our OTELA webpage or sign up for our monthly Office of Tribal Affairs Newsletter at the following link: Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (govdelivery.com)
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