Category: Child Care Update

On June 17, the Northwest Native Chamber hosted its Quarterly Luncheon at Barbie’s Village, bringing together Tribal leaders, Native‑led organizations, and partners committed to strengthening Native-centered child care systems. Over the past two years, NWNC has led transformative work by developing Tribal‑focused funding resources and delivering extensive technical assistance that has helped Tribes and Native organizations access critical investments through the Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF).

The luncheon highlighted these efforts and featured a panel discussion with Chenoa Landry (Puyallup) of Future Generations Collaborative (FGC), Valeria Atanacio (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), owner of Native Mama Scholars, and DELC’s Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA) Liaison, Dana Castano (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa). The panel explored early learning pathways, public funding opportunities, and community‑driven strategies for expanding child care in ways that strengthen Native children, families, and culture.

Pictured above: NWNC’s Quarterly Luncheon, Panel Speakers (pictured from left to right: Valeria Atanacio (Grand Ronde), Native Mama Scholars, Dana Castano (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), DELC OTELA Liaison, Chenoa Landry (Puyallup), FGC Education Mode Lead, and MyKel Johnson (Nez Perce), NWNC Tribal Technical Assistance Specialist

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

• The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment-Related Day Care Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
• Two self-paced module training series: Managing Behavioral Escalations & Connections
• Give Your Child a Head Start with Embark
• Honoring Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
• Opportunity for families to share their child care experiences with the 2026 Household Survey 

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is soliciting proposals from qualified Contractor(s) to provide Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) services to Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten grantees.

The purpose of this procurement is to deliver a coordinated system of training and individualized, grantee-specific technical assistance that:

• Strengthens implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1302);
• Supports high-quality, comprehensive services for children and families;
• Addresses workforce and operational challenges;
• Builds fiscal sustainability and governance capacity;
• Promotes continuous quality improvement (CQI) across diverse program settings.

The Agency anticipates awarding one or more contracts as a result of this RFP.

*Note: All work products developed under this contract will be the exclusive property of the Agency. The Contractor assigns all rights, title, and interest in such work to the Agency, while retaining ownership of any pre-existing intellectual property. The Contractor grants the Agency a perpetual, royalty-free license to use any Contractor or third-party intellectual property incorporated into deliverables. Except as expressly authorized, neither party may use the other’s intellectual property or branding without prior written consent, and the Contractor may continue to provide similar services to other clients.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Contract Option for providing Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) for Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK) Grantees

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to provide statewide Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) services to Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK) grantees.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a coordinated, high-quality system of training and individualized, grantee-specific technical assistance that strengthens early learning programs across Oregon. Services will support OPK grantees in delivering comprehensive, equitable, and effective services for children and families statewide.

Selected contractor(s) will be responsible for designing and delivering TTA that:

• Strengthens implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1302)
• Supports high-quality, comprehensive services for children and families
• Addresses workforce and operational challenges
• Builds fiscal sustainability and governance capacity
• Promotes continuous quality improvement (CQI) across diverse program settings

Through this work, the goal is to ensure OPK programs are equipped to meet performance standards, respond to community needs, and sustain high-quality early childhood services.

Additional details, including application requirements, timelines, and submission instructions, will be provided in the Request for Proposal (RFP) that accompanies the application.

DELC anticipates awarding one or more contracts as a result of this solicitation.

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

• The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment-Related Day Care Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
• Two self-paced module training series: Managing Behavioral Escalations & Connections
• Give Your Child a Head Start with Embark
• Honoring Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
• Opportunity for families to share their child care experiences with the 2026 Household Survey 

We want to let you know about an update to the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) phone system. The next time you call us, things may sound a little different.

On Friday, July 24, we upgraded our phone systems for the Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) and the Direct Pay Unit (DPU). These two systems are combined into one new DELC Call Center.

Whether you want to make a complaint on a child care facility, reach the Direct Pay Unit, or ask general questions for customer service, you can reach those services with just one phone number.

What to expect:

• All current phone numbers will still work and will take you to our central customer service line.
• Our menu options have been updated, so please listen closely to pick the right one.
  • Option 1 – Make a complaint on a child care facility.
  • Option 2 – Speak with the Direct Pay Unit regarding ERDC Subsidy applications, provider payments and families linking children to their new provider.
  • Option 3 – All other questions such as CBR Application status checks, linking employees to your facility, license applications and questions on other DELC programs.
• If wait times are long, you can now choose to get a call back instead of staying on hold!
• Our hours will stay the same.

Hours of Operation:

• General Customer Service: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Direct Pay Unit: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Thank you for your patience while we make these changes. If you have questions, please call 1-800-556-6616 or email ccld.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov.

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

• The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment-Related Day Care Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
• Two self-paced module training series: Managing Behavioral Escalations & Connections
• Give Your Child a Head Start with Embark
• Honoring Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
• Opportunity for families to share their child care experiences with the 2026 Household Survey 

We are pleased to announce that the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is launching Oregon ELMS on October 14, 2026. Oregon ELMS is a new online system designed to support child care providers and families across Oregon by bringing licensing and subsidy (ERDC) tools together into one easy‑to‑use platform accessible from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

Child Care Provider Training Opportunity Update

Providers – your training sessions will be available in late September – early October. You will be able to sign up for Oregon ELMS training through the Oregon Registry Online Training Calendar later this summer. These training sessions are specially designed for providers and will help walk you through how to use the system.

These sessions will be:

• Online and easy to join
• Free
• Able to count towards training hours in Program Management
• Optional, so you can choose the topics and times that work best for you
• Available in Traditional Chinese, English, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese
• Training sessions will cover a variety of topics and offered multiple times to accommodate provider schedules

What You Can Do Now

Child care providers – you were sent a letter in the mail and email in July about the updated launch date for Oregon ELMS and the training sessions coming up. If you did not receive that letter, please let DELC know by calling 1 (800) 556-6616 or email ccld.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov.

Stay Connected

DELC will share updates by email, mail, the DELC website, and the Child Care Updates newsletter.

Thank you for the important work you do for Oregon’s children and families. DELC looks forward to making Oregon ELMS a smooth transition and a better way to work together.

Questions or feedback? Please contact the Department of Early Learning and Care: 1 (800) 556-6616 or ccld.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov.

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

• The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment-Related Day Care Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
• Two self-paced module training series: Managing Behavioral Escalations & Connections
• Give Your Child a Head Start with Embark
• Honoring Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
• Opportunity for families to share their child care experiences with the 2026 Household Survey 

Wildfires and smoke are affecting communities across Oregon. As conditions change, it is important to stay informed and take steps to keep children, families, and early learning communities safe.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently updated its guidance for outdoor activities when air quality is unhealthy. The updated recommendations reflect growing evidence that wildfire smoke and air pollution can affect children’s health at lower levels than previously understood. Child care and preschool programs can use this guidance when deciding whether to modify, move indoors, or cancel outdoor activities.

Stay prepared and bookmark these resources:

• Oregon DEQ Air Quality Index Map: aqi.oregon.gov
• Oregon Smoke Information Blog: oregonsmoke.org
• Local emergency alerts: oralert.gov
• Current wildfires: inciweb.wildfire.gov
• OHA Announcement: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/erd/pages/oha-updates-guidance-for-youth-outdoor-activities-during-wildfire-smoke-air-pollution-events-06.08.2026.aspx
• Oregon Air Quality Activity Guide for Children and Youth: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le8815H.pdf

Continue to monitor local conditions and emergency alerts, as wildfire and smoke conditions can change quickly. 

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

• The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment-Related Day Care Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
• Two self-paced module training series: Managing Behavioral Escalations & Connections
• Give Your Child a Head Start with Embark
• Honoring Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
• Opportunity for families to share their child care experiences with the 2026 Household Survey 

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is launching two new free professional development series to help child care providers better understand behavior, respond to escalations, and build stronger relationships with children and families. 

The optional self-paced courses will be available through the Oregon Center for Career Development (OCCD) learning platform. The courses are approved for ORO credit in the Understanding and Guiding Behavior Set One category. 

The new series were created to give child care professionals practical tools and strategies they can use in early learning settings. Courses will be available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, English, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. 

Managing Behavioral Escalations Series 

All five modules in the Managing Behavioral Escalations Series are now available.

The first series focuses on understanding and responding to challenging behaviors in early learning settings. The five-module series is designed to be taken in order so participants can practice and apply strategies between modules. 

Topics include: 

• Learning About Child Escalations: MBE 1
• Understanding the Escalation Cycle: MBE 2
• Moving from Escalations to Meeting Expectations: MBE 3
• Addressing Behavioral Escalations: MBE 4
• Maintaining Professionalism and Safety during Escalations: MBE 5

Each module takes about 1 to 1½ hours to complete and includes activities providers can use in their own programs. 

Connections Series 

The second series focuses on building strong relationships and support systems to support children and their families.

Topics include: 

• Understand Behaviors As Connection – August 17
• Teamwork – Connections With Families – August 31
• Connections During Uncomfortable Conversations – September 14
• Connections matter: Creating Systems of Support – September 28

The Connections Series is expected to begin releasing in mid-August. 

Designed for Providers 

Early reviewers shared positive feedback about how easy the training is to understand and how useful it is for providers. 

“These modules will be an excellent resource for early learning providers,” one reviewer shared. “The information is so relatable.” 

Another reviewer shared that it can be difficult to find research-based training about managing escalating behaviors and appreciated having more accessible learning opportunities. 

The series were designed to be practical, approachable, and accessible for providers across Oregon. 

More information, including registration details, will be shared through DELC and OCCD channels as modules become available. 

Click below to view other Child Care Update articles

• The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Employment-Related Day Care Rulemaking Committee (RAC)
• Two self-paced module training series: Managing Behavioral Escalations & Connections
• Give Your Child a Head Start with Embark
• Honoring Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters
• Opportunity for families to share their child care experiences with the 2026 Household Survey