Author: remyrodriguez

New Family Child Care Rules Informational Webinar Registration Now Open!

In December 2024, Oregon’s Early Learning Council approved new family child care rules effective July 1, 2025. Upcoming webinars will provide guidance and support for providers adapting to these changes.

Updated on April 11, 2025

In December 2024, the Oregon Early Learning Council approved new rules for registered and certified family child care homes. Many of Oregon’s family child care providers, community advocates, and families shared insight and feedback to create these rules. Thank you to all who helped!

To review a copy of the new rules, visit DELC’s Rules page.

What does this mean for your program?

These rules will replace the current rules on July 1, 2025. The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) is committed to supporting programs with learning the new rules. This support will include recorded online videos and information sessions available in the late spring of 2025.

Registration is open now for our Certified Family Child Care Provider informational webinar taking place May 13th from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Interpretation will be available for those who request language services during registration.

Registration is open now for our Registered Family Child Care Provider informational webinar taking place May 15th from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Interpretation will be available for those who request language services during registration.

If you cannot attend the webinar, but still have questions, visit www.oregon.gov/delc, call DELC Customer Service at 1-800-556-6616, or reach out to your Licensing Specialist. DELC’s Child Care Licensing Division is here to support you, your staff, and your program.

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Submit your photos for May’s Provider Appreciation Day! 

Provider Appreciation Day is coming up on May 9! We want to spotlight you, our amazing childcare providers! DELC invites child care providers to submit photos of themselves (no children pictured) for a special social media shoutout. Be sure to include the photo release form and get it to us by May 5!

Updated on April 1, 2025

Provider Appreciation Day is approaching on May 9, the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) would like to have the opportunity to highlight you and your staff on our social media and blog.    

Provider Appreciation Day is an annual celebration on the Friday before Mother’s Day that recognizes the work of childcare providers, teachers, and other educators of young children. If you would consider sending in a photo of yourself, your staff, or the whole team (no children pictured), we would love to celebrate this important day with you and honor your time and efforts in this way.   

Please be sure to fill out the attached photo release form and include signatures from each adult in the photo.   

Please do not include children! While we would love to highlight your work directly with kiddos, we know it can be difficult to manage photo releases with families, and we do not want to burden you by asking you to make that happen.     

Any photo submitted by 4 pm on May 5 will be included in the DELC celebration posts as long as photo releases are provided. Thank you for your consideration.    

Photo Release Form – DELCDownload

You can submit your photo by emailing the DELC Communications Team at DELC.Communications@DELC.oregon.gov. Feel free to let us know the name of your center or program in the subject line of your email.    

Thank you for all that you do for Oregon’s littlest learners.    

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April 2025 Community Newsletter

April 2025 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates.

A Message from the Director



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 April Update

Federal Landing Page

Over the last couple of months, DELC has been focused on developing internal processes to track and analyze federal changes and their potential impact on the services we offer across the agency. With our internal structures in place, we are now able to make this information available on our external website for our partners and the public to easily access. While we still are not the best sources for up-to-the-minute information, we hope this landing page can provide some dedicated support and information as we continue to work through this process.

Legislative Session

We have now passed one of the first big milestones in the legislative session, with bills required to be posted for a Work Session (when the policy committee decides whether to move a bill forward) by Friday, 3/21 or they are considered “dead.” The next big milestone is right around the corner – all bills must have had their Work Session by April 9th. A big focus for the team right now is responding to Fiscal Impact Statement requests, where we analyze what it would cost DELC (if anything) to implement a bill should it become law. So for now, we’ll be answering a lot of questions and providing information to partners and the legislature as they keep working towards these deadlines.

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    2024 DELC Customer Satisfaction Survey Annual Report

    DELC’s first customer satisfaction survey in August 2024 received 296 responses, revealing 70% rated services good or excellent, highlighting strengths in helpfulness, expertise, and areas for improvement in communication.

    Updated on April 1, 2025

    DELC’s Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey Report contains the results of DELC’s first ever customer satisfaction survey.

    Quality customer service is an essential element of achieving DELC’s mission and vision. It helps us understand if we’re accomplishing our Growing Oregon Together Strategic Plan goal to “Develop and improve operational foundations to efficiently serve Oregonians.” It also supports understanding of our DEI Plan goals to “build capacity of social equity principles throughout all of DELC positions,” “strengthen relationships internally at DELC and externally with all communities,” and “improve quality and access to services and programs while tracking measurable goals.”

    The survey was conducted in August of 2024 and DELC received 296 usable responses. In terms of overall quality of services, 70% of survey respondents indicated this was good or excellent. Analysis of survey responses suggest DELC’s strengths were helpfulness, knowledge and expertise, and courtesy and respect. Analysis also suggests opportunities for growth were availability of information, timeliness, listening to needs, clear communication, and knowing who to reach out to.

    Click below to find the Executive Summary and access the full report.

    Customer%20Satisfaction%20Annual%20Report%20Executive%20Summary_EN[1]Download

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    The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Rulemaking Committee (RAC) 

    The ERDC program supports working families with child care costs. Applications are open for diverse representatives to join a committee, influencing Oregon’s Early Learning system, with a deadline of April 18, 2025.

    Updated on April 1, 2025

    The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care. 

    Apply today to give input on the ERDC program! 

    We are seeking diverse voices to represent groups within Oregon’s Early Learning system. Committee members may include: 

    • Families
    • Child Care Providers, including those who accept subsidy 
    • Child Care Provider Union representatives 
    • Child Care Resource & Referral representatives  
    • Early Learning Hub representatives 
    • Representatives from advocacy organizations 
    • Representatives from culturally specific, community-based organizations  
    • Tribal Nation representatives 

    Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact Oregon’s children, families, early learning programs, and communities. Applications are due April 18, 2025.  

    Apply today!

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    New How-to Videos To Help People Manage Their ONE Online Accounts

    The Oregon Department of Human Services released three new how-to videos for assisting individuals with identity verification and account access issues for their ONE Online benefits management account, available in English and Spanish.

    Updated on March 18, 2025

    Navigating benefits just got easier. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) has released three new how-to videos to help people verify their identity, regain access and solve login issues for their ONE Online account.

    A ONE Online account is where people can manage medical, food, cash, and child care benefits all in one place. These new videos address some of the most common issues people face when using the system:

    • Proving your identity
    • How to unlock your account or regain access
    • Resolving account errors

    The videos are available in English and Spanish on the ODHS YouTube page, and the ODHS Office of Communications will be sharing news releases in both languages.

    These resources are designed to make accessing benefits easier and faster. Please share the video links with your networks to ensure more people can get the help they need.

    Watch the videos now on the ODHS YouTube page or find them on our website under How-to Videos.

    English YouTube links

    Proving your identity

    Unlock your account or regain access

    Resolving account errors

    Spanish YouTube links

    Cómo Verificar Su Identidad para Crear Su Cuenta en Línea de ONE

    Cómo Recuperar el Acceso a Su Cuenta en Línea de ONE

    ¿Problemas para Iniciar Sesión en Su Cuenta en Línea de ONE?

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    Oregon Child Care Infrastructure Fund: $15M In Grants Open

    Business Oregon and DELC announce the second round of the Child Care Infrastructure Fund, opening March 26, 2025, with $15 million available for applications until April 30, 2025.

    Updated on March 31, 2025

    Business Oregon and DELC are excited to announce that the second round of the Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF) will be opening on Wednesday, March 26th, 2025, at 12:00pm! This round will consist of $15 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects that further the wellbeing of children and families in Oregon. Applications for Round Two must be submitted by 4:59pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025. Updated grant materials will be available on Business Oregon’s website by March 21st, 2025, and can be found here: Business Oregon : Child Care Infrastructure Program : Child Care Infrastructure Program : State of Oregon

    If you are interested in applying for the second round of CCIF funding and are in need of technical assistance support, please reach out to the technical assistance providers directly:

    Northwest Native Chamber

    Website-Child Care Infrastructure Fund – Northwest Native Chamber

    Email- ccifsupport@nwnc.org

    First Children’s Finance

    Website- First Children’s Finance – Oregon

    Email- InfoOregon@FirstChildrensFinance.org

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    Request for Applications for Preschool Promise

    The Department of Early Learning and Care will release a Request for Applications this Spring for several Early Learning Hub Regions, allowing eligible applicants to join the Preschool Promise Eligible Providers list.

    Updated on March 17, 2025

    The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is preparing to release a Request for Applications (RFA) this Spring for the following Early Learning Hub Regions:

    • Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub 
    • Early Learning Hub of Clackamas County 
    • Four Rivers Family Early Learning and Parenting 
    • Early Childhood Hub of Lane County 
    • Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties 
    • Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, Inc. 
    • Southern Oregon Early Learning Services (Recently Added)

    This opportunity allows eligible applicants to be included on the Preschool Promise Eligible Providers list for the 2025-2027 biennium.

    Click Here for the RFA Site


    Interested? Subscribe to DELC’s Future Funding Opportunities email list for updates! Learn more on our website at https://www.oregon.gov/delc/programs/Pages/psp-rfa-directory.aspx#Current

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    ERDC Provider Payment Engagement Opportunity

    The Department of Early Learning and Care is drafting policies for child care subsidy payments under new federal rules. Child care providers are invited to provide feedback by April 20, 2025.

    Updated on March 17, 2025

    The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is drafting policies necessary to comply with new rules from the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regarding child care subsidy payments. In Oregon, this subsidy program is called Employment Related Day Care (ERDC).

    It is important to us that we hear from child care providers who would be impacted by the way Oregon implements these changes. Please complete this feedback form to share your thoughts.

    The form will be open until April 20th, 2025 at 11:59 PM

    Feedback Form

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    Your Voice Matters: 2nd Annual Child Care Business Survey Coming March 2025

    First Children’s Finance is conducting a Child Care Business Sustainability Survey in March 2025, inviting Oregon child care providers to share insights. Participating earns a gift card, aiding vital business support.

    Corrected on March 18, 2025

    Help us shape the future of child care in Oregon! First Children’s Finance is conducting our 2nd Annual Child Care Business Sustainability Survey to better understand the financial and operational challenges and opportunities facing your business. Share your experiences and opinions on workforce, facilities, funding, and more in our short survey launching in March 2025. Your insight will help us identify areas where additional business support is needed and inform our programs and initiatives across the state. As a token of our appreciation, the first 100 providers to complete the survey will receive a gift card. Look for the survey link in your email inbox during the week of March 24th.

    This survey focuses on the financial and operational health of child care businesses. All owners and administrators who make business decisions for their family child care or center-based program are encouraged to participate.

    Why Your Input Matters:

    • Decision makers, including the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, want to know how economic conditions, workforce challenges, and public funding impact your business.
    • Business support organizations, like First Children’s Finance, want to provide services that meet the changing needs of child care businesses in Oregon.

    Survey Details:

    • Takes about 25 minutes to complete.
    • Available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
    • Your responses are anonymous unless you choose to share your information.
    • Tell us about any big (or small) changes your child care experienced in 2024.
    • First Children’s Finance are offering $15 gift card incentives for the first 100 verified and completed surveys. For child care business owners or administrators who operate multiple child care programs, please complete the survey for one program only.

    Public Funding Navigation Resource

    First Children’s Finance has created a comprehensive resource to help child care businesses navigate Oregon’s public funding programs Building Strong Business Practices: A Public Funding Navigation Resource for Child Care Business Owners in Oregon.

    For child care business owners who have already secured public funding, this guide helps them build strong systems to meet funding program compliance requirements, manage finances, and stay on top of program monitoring. Developed with input from funding administrators, child care support organizations, and business owners, it offers practical guidance to help businesses sustain their funding and operations.

    Access the guide here: https://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/oregon/

    Available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

    Thank you for your dedication to this vital work! If you need assistance, please reach out to the FCF Oregon State Office at InfoOregon@firstchildrensfinance.org.

    Conference Save the Date

    First Children’s Finance Oregon is thrilled to announce the first annual FCF Oregon Child Care Business Conference: Essentials of Excellence, designed for Oregon child care business owners who want to strengthen their operations, finances, and enrollment.

    • Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
    • Time: 8 am – 4 pm
    • Where: Willamette Heritage Center; 1313 Mill St SE, Salem, OR 97301
    • Cost: $35 until April 15: $50 from April 16-May 24

    Registration coming soon!

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