A Message from leadership
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This month’s update from Director Alyssa Chatterjee
Spring if flying past and many graduation ceremonies are underway. As we head into warmer days ahead here are a few recent updates:
Revenue Forecast
Oregon’s constitution requires a balanced budget, so agencies and elected leaders use quarterly revenue forecasts to develop budgets and make important financial decisions. Recently we received the May revenue forecast, which showed a modest increase in state revenue. Despite the relatively stable economic outlook for Oregon’s economy, agencies have been asked to expect continued strain on state resources due to changes at the federal level. DELC is in the process of developing its Agency Request Budget (ARB) for the 2027-29 biennium and has been instructed not to expect any significant new investments beyond current service levels. We are working closely with the Governor’s Office, legislators, and the Legislative Fiscal Office as the state continues working to identify priorities for funding. Thank you to all of the staff already contributing to the hard work involved in developing the ARB.
Community Visits/Provider Appreciation
Over the last month I had the pleasure of attending site visits including visits to the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties and Salem Keizer School District Program at Kennedy Elementary School, where I got to see the countless ways that early educators are making a positive difference in the lives of young children. Other members of the Executive Leadership Team also recently had the pleasure of attending a visit on the Caring Communities Tour to the Northwest Region hosted by the Northwest Early Learning Hub. Getting out into the communities we serve and seeing the good work happening is always a moving and reenergizing experience. In May we also celebrated Provider Appreciation Day on May 8th, if you didn’t get a chance please check out my video remarks of appreciation for the incredible providers that make Oregon work!