Author: christinacortezbannick

Department of Early Learning and Care update for Preschool Promise Program with South Central Early Learning Hub: Request for Applications

The Department of Early Learning and Care is accepting applications for Preschool Promise Programs with South Central Early Learning Hub.

Request for Applications 

We are excited to announce a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Preschool Promise (PSP) program for the 2024-2025 program year specific to the South-Central region with the South-Central Early Learning Hub (Douglas; Klamath; Lake counties). DELC is seeking applications from interested entities to reallocate funds to serve a total of 18 preschoolers in the South-Central region.  

PSP grant amounts are based on the specified number of slots awarded.  The funding per slot is as follows:   

  • Base amount: $15,650 per slot per year    
  • Transportation enhancement: $1,100 per slot per year.    
  • One-time start-up amounts:   

                                   – PSP sites will receive $2,000 per new slot awarded   

Are you interested in applying?  

Interested applicants have the option to apply in English or Spanish. All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm on December 31, 2024. 

Click here to learn more oregon.gov/delc/programs/pages/psp-rfa-directory.aspx.

Want to learn more about this opportunity?  

DELCs Preschool Promise Program team is hosting an informational webinar on November 25th and 26th. You can also visit Department of Early Learning and Care : Application for Preschool Promise RFA and Waitlist : Programs : State of Oregon  to learn more about the criteria and process.  

Webinars available:  

What does it mean to be on the Preschool Promise waitlist?   

If you apply to be a part of the Preschool Promise program and are placed on the waitlist, you have the chance to be chosen later in the 2024-2025 program year if more funding becomes available or slots become available within your service region.  

What is Preschool Promise (PSP)?  

Preschool Promise is a high-quality, publicly funded preschool program that serves families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and children in foster care. Preschool Promise is delivered in a variety of settings, including centers, homes, and schools.  

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

OPEN Outdoor Nature-Based Rules Advisory Committee (RAC)

The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Outdoor Nature-Based Rules Advisory Committee (RAC)

Updated on December 2, 2024

If you are a child care provider and know a parent or care giver who might be interested in this opportunity, please share this RAC blog post with them.

Participants will be reimbursed for their time and expertise.

During the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 2717 passed and requires the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) to create a pathway to license child care programs that primarily serve children in outdoor settings. CCLD is hosting a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules pertaining to outdoor learning environments and identify financial and equity impacts that might result from the proposed rules.

CCLD would like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in this RAC:

  • Directors/representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments from across the state
  • Representation from DELC funded early learning programs (Baby Promise, Preschool Promise, Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten, Early Childhood Equity Fund, or Relief Nurseries)
  • Parents/family members of children who attend ONB programs
  • Outdoor learning environment subject matter experts and current practitioners
  • Representatives from culturally specific organizations working with young children
  • Early Learning Hub representatives
  • Tribal Nation representatives
  • Child Care Resource and Referral representatives

Reimbursement:

Participants will be reimbursed for their time and expertise.

Links to the Application:

English Application

Spanish Application

Chinese Application

Russian Application

Vietnamese Application   

Application Window:

The application period opens on November 18, 2024 and closes on December 15, 2024.

Meeting Details:

  • Meetings will begin in January 2025.
  • Four meetings will be held.
  • The meetings will be virtual.
  • Meeting days and times will be finalized with the selected participants.

Additional questions?

For questions about participation, please contact Kendele Miyasaki, at Kendele.MIYASAKI@delc.oregon.gov.

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Health Care Resources: Time limited opportunity for more affordable health insurance for early childhood staff

Sharing Health Care Resources for early childhood staff

Early Childhood Providers in Oregon May Now Be Eligible for Affordable Health Insurance

Early childhood providers may now be eligible for more affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace®, due to continued expanded tax credits. As early childhood providers, you have played a crucial role for children, families, and communities, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to have the opportunity to expand more affordable health coverage to early childhood providers due to the Inflation Reduction Act.

Learn more  (PDF) about what coverage you may be eligible for through the Health Insurance Marketplace® and follow along to this step-by-step training as you fill out applications.

You can learn more by reading this flier What Do Early Childhood Educators Need To Know About The Marketplace?

(English  (PDF)and

 Spanish (PDF)

November 2024 Community Newsletter

November 2024 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates

A Message from the Director

Welcome to November! Another month has flown by, and we are heading into rainier weather. There has been a lot going on, and I am excited to share a few high points with you all. 

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.

Our November Update

On the Road!
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has started joining some regional community visits and participating in licensing visits across the state. I have been able to visit an Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten/Head Start program in Redmond, and home-based and center-based programs in Grants Pass and Medford, a relief nursery in Hillsboro, in addition to many more. Please see some of the photo highlights below  I so appreciate all the providers and programs that have opened their doors and shared your stories with us! We hope to continue these visits over the coming months and into the new year.  

Early Learning Council Retreat
I was able to join the annual Early Learning Council retreat, which was hosted in Southern Oregon this year. We got to hear from community leaders doing innovative work to center children and families and coordinate with the Southern Oregon Early Learning Services Hub. The Council also spent some time identifying what their priorities will be for 2025 as they continue to champion Raise Up Oregon as the early childhood system plan for the state. If you want to hear more about the Council’s priorities and some preliminary data analysis for Raise Up Oregon implementation, tune into the meeting recordings on our YouTube channel. I am excited for the work ahead! 

DELC in Community

Visiting Hillsboro

Director Chatterjee joins relief nursery providers and advocates for a tour of the Northwest Children’s Relief Nursery in Hillsboro.  

DELC staff visit Cornelius Elementary School

DELC staff had the pleasure of joining the Children’s Institute Learning Tour at Cornelius Elementary School.

Pictured below Representative Courtney Neron and advocates share lunch with students. 

Touring Redmond:
Neighborhood Impact and Head Start

Director Chatterjee had the pleasure of meeting with Neighbor Impact and touring a Head Start classroom in Redmond.

Pictured: Scott Cooper, NeighborImpact Executive Director, Kim Brown, Director of Head Start and Early Head Start, Alyssa Chatterjee, DELC Director and Patrick Carey, Deputy Executive Director of Head Start and Early Head Start stand outside of a NeighborImpact facility prior to touring classrooms in Redmond. Photo credit to NeighborImpact.  

Children’s Institute 2024

DELC staff join the Children’s Institute’s 2024 Champions for Children luncheon.

Pictured to the left is Andi Molnar Bales and Jon Reeves pose for a photo.

Pictured Below is Chief Executive Officer Kali Thorne Ladd inspires participants from the stage around the importance of centering children today for a brighter tomorrow. 

Grants Pass: Early Learning Council Tour of Growing Together Family Center

Director Chatterjee and DELC staff join the Early Learning Council in a tour of the Growing Together Family Community Center in Grants Pass and heard from families.  

Visiting Southern Oregon University in Ashland

Oregon Early Learning Council members and agency representatives were hosted by Southern Oregon University in Ashland where they met to discuss progress on Raise Up Oregon and to hear other agencies and presentations by local providers.  

Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon

Oregon Early Learning Council Chair Sue Miller and Council member Peter Buckley thank Executive Director Sunny Spicer of the Oregon Center for Creative Learning for hosting the council for a tour and reception at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon in Medford.

Pictured above a group photo of participants pose in front of a sculpture of Big Foot.  

Pictured below, a Halloween themed treats display.

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A DELC Employee’s Head Start Story

My experience as a Head Start kid empowers me to understand more intimately the impact the program can have. 

Head Start Awareness Month is a personal reflection for many of us. For some, it’s because of our work in government and our closeness and belief in the mission of equitable access to early education. For others, we have been a part of Head Start, as teachers, staff, or even children whose education began in a program. My experience as a Head Start kid empowers me to understand more intimately the impact the program can have. 

Photo of DELC Employee Christina and her oldest child at the Oregon Zoo.

My mother worked in education. Her career began at Head Start when my brother joined the program for early intervention services to help with his speech delay. The program paid for her to get her GED and then hired her to help with speech services. She gained experience as a staff member and then worked for the Hillsboro School District as an assistant to a speech therapist. She worked in that role and transitioned to an Education Specialist, specializing in IEPs until she retired. I joined Head Start as a sibling to a qualifying kiddo, my brother.  

I am the youngest of seven children, but my brother and I were the only children to attend Head Start, and both of us have chosen a career in public service. Today, I work at the Department of Early Learning and Care to ensure that other young children have access to early learning and care. My brother is now a skills trainer/QMHA for a program in the Portland area, helping those with behavioral health support needs to experience life as freely as possible. 

Working for this agency as a Head Start kid feels full circle. I think about how my family’s life, my life, or my brother’s life could have been different if we didn’t have the access we had. I have spoken to other folks in government who are also Head Start kids. From one Head Start kiddo to others working in government – thank you for your service. It matters. Happy Head Start Awareness Month!  

Recall Alert: Fisher-Price Recalls More than 2 Million Snuga Infant Swings Due to Suffocation Hazard

On October 10, 2024, Fisher-Price Snuga Infant Swings were recalled due to a suffocation hazard after 5 deaths were reported.

On October 10, 2024, Fisher-Price Snuga Infant Swings were recalled due to a suffocation hazard after 5 deaths were reported. You can visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to view the complete report on this recall.

Fisher-Price Recalls More than 2 Million Snuga Infant Swings Due to Suffocation Hazard After 5 Deaths Reported | CPSC.gov

Birth through Five Early Literacy Survey

DELC is partnering with Oregon’s Kitchen Table to hear from people across the state about Early Literacy.

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill called the Early Literacy Success Initiative. This law directed the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to develop a Birth Through Five Literacy Plan. The plan will offer ways to support literacy for children ages birth through five. 

DELC is partnering with Oregon’s Kitchen Table to hear from people across the state about this topic. 

Your input will help DELC inform the Birth Through Five Literacy Plans. By filling out this survey, you can help make sure that the plan is helpful for and supports communities.   

You can take the survey in your preferred language by clicking the links below!

Join us to have a conversation about the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan 

If you work for an early childhood program or a group that supports families with children ages birth through five, join us for a conversation about what you would like to see in the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan. 

Learn more and register for a conversation by looking at the Birth through Five Literacy Survey Flier below. You can also download it to share with your network!

About Oregon’s Kitchen Table: Oregon’s Kitchen Table is a creation of a group of non-partisan, non-profit community organizations dedicated to helping Oregonians have a voice – to share their ideas, opinions, beliefs, and resources in improving Oregon and our communities. It is a program of the National Policy Consensus Center housed in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government in the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. 

Birth Through 5 Literacy Community ConversationsDownload

  

By sharing what you think, you can help make sure that DELC creates a Birth Through Five Literacy Plan based on what community members want to see happen. 

Register to attend the November Provider Information Session

Please register for the November Provider Information Session

Join us in November to learn about the below topics:

  • Oregon Health Authority: Immunization Information
  • DELC Customer Service Survey Results
  • Agency and Program Updates

When?
Thursday, November 14 | 6 – 7 p.m.
All provider types. (Interpretation available)

Zoom Registration: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_LmwkXrzSSB60FwxrCSawJA

This is a virtual event. Registration is required to attend via Zoom. You may submit questions in advance on the registration form. You may also participate on DELC’s Facebook page live stream at the same time. DELC staff will monitor the Facebook comment section for questions.

Note: Attendees utilizing interpretation services (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and ASL) should join the session via Zoom. For more information, please visit Department of Early Learning and Care : Provider Information Sessions : For Providers : State of Oregon

Do you represent child care in Oregon? You are invited to participate in the 2024 Market Price & Supply Study.

To participate in this study, you are being asked to verify your program rates and capacity.

What is the Market Price & Supply Study?

The Oregon Market Price & Supply Study (MPSS) focuses on collecting information about the price and supply of child care in Oregon.

To participate in this study, you are being asked to verify your program rates and capacity.

Please see the flier below to learn more about this opportunity! You can view the flier in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Somali, and Arabic.

You can also click this link to go to the Find Child Care Oregon website, verify your program information, and then take the survey.

MPSS 2024 Flyer (English)Download
MPSS 2024 Flyer (Spanish)Download
MPSS 2024 Flyer (Russian)Download
MPSS 2024 Flyer (Vietnamese)Download
MPSS 2024 Flyer (Chinese)Download
MPSS 2024 Flyer (Somali)Download
MPSS 2024 Flyer (Arabic)Download

Participate using your Find Child Care Oregon Profile or by contacting your regional CCR&R!

211 and support for finding child care in Oregon 

Families and care givers can use 211info to find local child care resources and child care providers in their area!

211info is a resource for communities finding support to identify, navigate, and connect with the local resources they need. Families and care givers can use 211info to find local child care resources and child care providers in their area!  

How do I contact 211info’s Child Care line? 
Dial 211. Listen to the prompt for Child Care and press the specified number (the number can vary by region).  

Text the keyword “children” or “niños” to 898211 (TXT211) 

Email children@211info.org 

HOURS: Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

How long does it take for 211info’s Child Care staff to return calls?  
If a specialist is not available there is an option to leave a voicemail. The Child Care Team has 24 hours to follow up with callers. Most calls are returned within an hour or two of leaving a message. 

How are child care referrals provided to families? 
211info staff ask the person requesting referrals what would work best for them. Referrals can be given via phone, email, text, or mail.  

What if a caller does not speak English? 
211 has bilingual staff on the phones and also has access to multiple translation service/language lines with over 240 languages available. 

When I searched using the FCCO online tool I was not successful at getting a list. What can I do? 
The public can contact 211 directly for help with finding child care. Staff will provide you with a customized list of child care referrals in your area.  

Can 211 help me find financial assistance for Child Care in Oregon? 
211info staff can refer families to programs that are free to eligible clientele and/or help with the cost of care such as Employment Related Day Care, Preschool Promise, Baby Promise and Head Start. We can also find providers that offer discounts, sliding scale fees or scholarships.  

Can the Child Care Team recommend a quality child care program?  
211 staff can provide referrals but we cannot make recommendations. 211 gives a full range of child care options and tools to help parents choose a provider that best meets their individual family needs.  

See: 

Click to access English_Finding_Quality_Guide_NL.pdf

and 

Click to access English_Questions_to_Ask_When_Looking_for_Child_Care_NL.pdf

Why does 211 give referrals to providers who are full? 
It is not guaranteed that the providers on our referral lists have openings. Although the local CCRR’s often update the child care provider information, vacancies can change daily. Parents must contact providers directly to find out if they have an opening. 

Does 211info add and update the Child Care Provider Listings? 
Providers must contact their local Child Care Resource and Referral to update their listing. 211info’s Child Care Team can help providers locate the CCRR in their area.  Click below to view other Child Care Update articles