Informational videos about the new Family Child Care Rule Revisions are available on the DELC YouTube channel and on the DELC website on our Rules page to help you understand and navigate the new rules and the impacts to your programs.
August 1, 2025
Informational videos about the new Family Child Care Rule Revisions are available on the DELC YouTube channel and on the DELC website on our Rules page to help you understand and navigate the new rules and the impacts to your programs.
As always, if you have additional questions, please reach out to your licensing specialist!
You can access the Registered Family Rule Revision Video Series here:
You can access the Certified Family Rule Revision Video Series here:
This month the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Head Start and EHS Head Start hosted an in-person summer gathering for families and children. The event showcased valuable local resources such as housing and homelessness services, ODHS connections, and a gleaner’s program where families can pick produce and receive a percentage for free to take home.
August 1, 2025
This month the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Head Start and EHS Head Start hosted an in-person summer gathering for families and children. The event showcased valuable local resources such as housing and homelessness services, ODHS connections, and a gleaner’s program where families can pick produce and receive a percentage for free to take home. The gleaner’s program was a special favorite booth as they handed out fresh delicious cherries to each family!
DELC staffer, Christina Cortez-Bannick, had a wonderful time connecting with members of the community and enjoying the laughter of children as they played together, ate hamburgers and hot dogs, and parents found time to connect.
“It was a beautiful event, and I appreciated the opportunity to visit, as a head start kid, with my fellow head start families.”
Thank you to Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Head Start for the invitation, we look forward to next year!
In February we launched the Caring Communities Tour, a two-year long journey visiting early learning and care partners and leaders across Oregon. In collaboration with Early Learning Hubs and Child Care Resource and Referrals, DELC leadership will visit each region to connect with and learn from local leaders, Tribes, providers, families about the unique needs, experiences, and approaches to early care and education across the state.
Updated September 2, 2025
In February we launched the Caring Communities Tour, a two-year long journey visiting early learning and care partners and leaders across Oregon. In collaboration with Early Learning Hubs and Child Care Resource and Referrals, DELC leadership will visit each region to connect with and learn from local leaders, Tribes, providers, families about the unique needs, experiences, and approaches to early care and education across the state.
We have learned from and connected with each region by observing joyful classrooms and listening to providers express their commitment to early education. New ideas have been sparked from learning about creative approaches to complex problems. Since February, we have visited the following regions,
To every single person who helped plan and coordinate each of these visits, thank you. Your investment of time and energy has made these visits an opportunity to learn and connect, to build and strengthen relationships. It is inspiring to be in collaboration with you in this child and family centered work.
During each visit we heard about the challenges posed by the local economy, workforce shortages, geographic landscape, and natural resource limitations bring. Additionally , we were inspired by the creative, community-driven solutions emerging across regions to solve and thrive despite these challenges- strategically braiding funding to improve programming, repurposing a grocery store into early learning spaces, including grand-parents and neighbors into children’s care, providing alternative transportation options, offering business accelerator program for registered family providers, increasing pedestrian safety in collaboration with local transportation districts, strengthening collaborations with supportive backbone agencies, and initiating partnerships with local employment organizations for workforce shortages.
After each visit, we are taking time to reflect on our observations and what was shared with us. We are celebrating your work and thinking ahead to improve our policies, programs, and continue addressing system-level challenges. Moving forward, because we believe we can always do better, we will also strengthen our follow-up response to questions raised during visits by regional partners.
We look forward to the late summer and fall visits and continuing to provide mid-year updates about the Caring Communities Tour. Thank you for collaborating with us to ensure all children, families, early care and education professionals and communities are supported and empowered to thrive.
We look forward to visiting Yamhill before end of summer, and wrapping up the first year of CCT with visits to Eastern and Blue Mountain regions. We continue to coordinate with Hubs and CCR&R’s for 2026, but our tentative schedule as of now includes Washington and Northwest regions for Spring 2026, and Four Rivers and South Coast for fall 2026. While some dates may change due to scheduling availability, host logistics, and weather conditions, we aim to wrap up the tour and visit all regions by Fall 2026. Thank you for collaborating with us to ensure all children, families, early care and education professionals and communities are supported and empowered to thrive.
For questions related to the Caring Communities Tour, please reach out to karina.guzman-ortiz@delc.oregon.gov
The pilot of Oregon’s new Every Child Belongs (ECB) Connect system is launching in select regions starting July 2025, with phased expansion through July 2026.
The pilot of Oregon’s new Every Child Belongs (ECB) Connect system is launching in select regions starting July 2025, with phased expansion through July 2026. Co-developed by DELC and the Oregon Infant Mental Health Association (ORIMHA) with feedback from early learning partners, ECB Connect offers a centralized way for child care providers to request support when a child is at risk of suspension or expulsion.
This effort aligns with a new law effective July 2026 that prohibits suspensions and expulsions in early learning settings. Through ECB Connect, providers may be connected to technical assistance, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health consultation (IECMHC), Early Intervention/ECSE, or other regionally coordinated services. Every Child Belongs helps keep children connected to safe, supportive environments where they can grow and thrive.
Partners in participating regions will receive access to:
We are working closely with Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies, IECMHC providers, and other community groups to ensure a phased and equitable rollout that meets the needs of providers and families across Oregon.
Learn more and stay updated at: Visit the everychildbelongs.org website
211 has a resource page available for summer needs like cooling centers and tips for staying cool. You can visit this page, click on your county, and find local resources based on your needs.
211 has a resource page available for summer needs like cooling centers and tips for staying cool. You can visit this page, click on your county, and find local resources based on your needs.
Visit Summer and Heat Related Resources – 211info to learn more and find your local resources.
Even though 211 core operating hours have changed, hours for special programs have not. The child care team is still available for calls, text, and email Monday through Friday, 7am-11pm, and weekends 8am-8pm to help with finding the resources you need.
Even though 211 core operating hours have changed, hours for special programs have not. Our child care team is still available for calls, text, and email Monday through Friday, 7am-11pm, and weekends 8am-8pm.
211info child care specialists help families navigate quality care options, and offer guidance on Employment Related Day Care (ERDC).
Learn more about how 211info child care specialists can help you find the resources you need: 211info.org/2024/12/help-finding-child-care/
Contact the 211info child care team for help today! Call 211, text the keyword “children” or “niños” to 898211, or email children@211info.org. Want to search yourself? Go to findchildcareoregon.org.
Lane County Public Health and the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency has created a helpful image for child care programs and families around air quality and outdoor play.
Lane County Public Health and the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency has created a helpful image for child care programs and families around air quality and outdoor play. The images below will help you decide what outdoor activities and times are safe for children in your care. Along with these images, you can visit Oregon’s smoke website at https://www.oregonsmoke.org/ for the latest information.
The cases followed a recall alert in March of more than 25,000 packages of a baby food called Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale, Thyme Vegetable Puree.
In a press release the Oregon Health Authority shared that there have been reports of lead poisoning in some baby foods in Oregon. The cases followed a recall alert in March of more than 25,000 packages of a baby food called Good & Gather Baby Pea, Zucchini, Kale, Thyme Vegetable Puree. The product was sold in 4-ounce containers. No other flavor of the product has been subject to recall. To learn more about this alert you can Read the OHA press release…
One year ago, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) published Growing Oregon Together, the agency’s first strategic plan along with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan. This first progress report provides an update on the ongoing metrics and tracking of implementation.
One year ago, the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) published Growing Oregon Together, the agency’s first strategic plan along with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan. These foundational planning documents added structure and helped set a vision to prioritize work for the years ahead. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of teams across the agency, and of partners, DELC has made significant strides toward achieving our goals.
This first progress report provides an update on the ongoing metrics and tracking of implementation. It shows noteworthy achievements in continuing progress across all six goals.
All families have access to high-quality (culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate) and affordable early learning and care that meets their needs.
“Increase access to coordinated, affordable early learning and care that meets provider, family, and community needs.”
| On Track | 85% |
| Moderate Issues | 6% |
| Planned/Not Started | 9% |
Pictured above DELC leadership and representatives from the Governor’s office joined partners at a 60th anniversary celebration for Head Start. The event uplifted the value of high quality programs such as Head Start and Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten to ensure thousands of children across Oregon continue to have access to high quality care and wrap around supports. Governor Tina Kotek joins community partners and DELC leadership along with representatives from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Over the course of the year the program expanded access to cover all 36 counties in Oregon. Full statewide participation provides opportunities for children in every zip code to gain early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. DELC licensing staff visit with an outdoor nature based program in Washington prior to the Oregon rules taking effect. Outdoor nature-based programs are now licensed in Oregon which will help expand accessibility and ensure uniform health and safety standards.
DELC honors and recognizes the sovereignty of the nine federally recognized Tribal Nations within Oregon and ensures strong government-to-government relationships to benefit Tribal communities.
“Honor and recognize the sovereignty and ensure strong government to government relationships to benefit Tribal communities.”
| On Track | 80% |
| Moderate Issues | 10% |
| Planned/Not Started | 10% |
After multiple months of gathering feedback from the nine federally recognized Tribes, the first version of a DELC Tribal Consultation Policy was successfully developed. Meaningful Tribal Consultation will help DELC establish strong policy and implementation rooted in a respectful government-to-government approach. The Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund also moved forward at the legislature and uplifts and honors Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Pictured from top to bottom Office of Tribal Affairs staff visit with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; the Coquille Tribal Learning Center gym features an inflatable planetarium; the Coquille Indian Tribe’s Plank House.
All families with infants and toddlers are supported through early learning and care programs that recognize and meet their unique needs.
“Expand resources and program supports for infants and toddlers.”
| On Track | 67% |
| Planned/Not Started | 10% |
Pictured above DELC leadership and the Early Learning Council visit with staff and community members at the Growing Together Family Community Center in Grants Pass. The tour included the fully stocked diaper closet which was created at the request of community members and is available free of charge for caregivers of infants and toddlers and young children. Every county in Oregon is an infant desert for care and these learning opportunities help elevate community led solutions alongside other important work happening in regions across the state. For example Inclusive Partners held in-person networking and learning opportunities with Infant/Toddler Specialists and Baby Promise Coaches in order to build community relationships are encourage skill building around working with the earliest learners.
The early learning and child care workforce is diverse, culturally responsive, highly qualified, and well compensated
“Increase provider and partner support, technical assistance, professional development, and compensation.”
| Complete | 5% |
| On Track | 35% |
| Moderate Issues | 5% |
| Needs Attention | 5% |
| Planned/Not Started | 50% |
Pictured above Preschool Promise coaches are highlighted on stage in Ashland to share inspiration about Pyramid Model trainings. Director Chatterjee tours an early learning facility in Dalles on Child Care Provider Appreciation Day to elevate the importance of appreciation and sustained investments in this crucial workforce. Relief Nursery staff pause for a photo after a tour in Hillsboro. DELC leadership took part in more than two dozen site visits with the early learning workforce over the course of the year to hear directly from providers about what’s working and what challenges they face. Additional best practices were outlined in the completed report on Workforce Barriers (HB 2991) a study to identify barriers to a high-quality early childhood workforce and recommend opportunities.
DELC deepens community engagement and empowerment, sustains partnerships, and communicates effectively.
“Increase authentic engagement with communities through establishing feedback loops and strengthening connections.”
| Complete | 5% |
| On Track | 47% |
| Planned/Not Started | 47% |
Earlier this year, the Department of Early Learning and Care launched a “Caring Communities Tour.” These regional visits provide help to deepen relationships an opportunity for agency leadership to visit and learn about the unique issues faced by regional partners, providers and early learning professionals in the field. These visits also help to improve communication and deepen partnerships. Pictured above DELC staff visit with partners in Clackamas and Ashland. Children sing a graduation song at a Preschool Promise event attended by DELC leadership. Spending time in communities helps to sustain partnerships and elevate solutions.
All families have access to high-quality (culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate) and affordable early learning and care that meets their needs.
“Increase transparency through clear policies,
procedures, and rules that reflect DELC’s Mission,
Vision, and Values.”
| Complete | 5% |
| On Track | 81% |
| Moderate Issues | 2% |
| Needs Attention | 2% |
| Planned/Not Started | 9% |
DELC staff are hard at work developing and improving operational foundations including ways to work together and improve policies and customer service. Pictured above members of the communications team take photos at an all staff
conference, where Director Chatterjee collaborates around a table prompt. Over the course of the year, all DELC teams successfully completed trainings such as the “Developing a High Trust Culture” training. Mother/Daughter Licensing duo join with other staff for a potluck lunch at the Tualatin Field Office as part of a statewide effort coordinated by the Wellness Committee to host events across the agency to foster connection. Child Care Licensing Division data dashboard is one of four developed and published to improve transparency. DELC staff participate in the first annual Wellness Day and BBQ event
coordinated by Human Resources and the Wellness Committee, to provide opportunity for DELC staff to foster connection, tear down silos and, learn about available resources that support them and one another.
This is only a small sampling of the work that was accomplished. After one year of progress, we’re off to a strong start and making steady progress but this work is made possible alongside partners, Tribes, and families across Oregon working towards an early learning system that benefits all. There’s a great deal more work to do towards achieving these ambitious goals but we’re thrilled about how far we’ve collectively grown together. Read more about progress and download the full versions of the plans: Growing Oregon Together and the DEI Action Plan.
To view more metrics please visit the data dashboard
*Please note that the Strategic Plan and DEI Action Plan were developed under different time windows but published at the same date. Future versions will combine the work into one document with the same timeline.
Prefer a printable version?
You can view or download a PDF version below
June 2025 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates.
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Session has come to a close after the official Sine Die on June 27th! We will be sharing a more comprehensive recap, but we’re already preparing for the next phase of work: implementation. This is particularly going to be focused on the budget, and how we can absorb the programmatic reductions proposed by the Legislature. We are committed to reducing direct impacts on children and families, so we want to have the most accurate information to work from as we assess budget impacts. This means taking the time to close out the 23-25 biennium to fully assess funding availability, and communicating as we learn more.
While we did not see significant new investments, there has been a lot of discussion about early learning and child care amongst legislators, particularly as it relates to our DELC budget. It’s clear that there are a lot of champions for our work and recognition that investments in the early years of children’s lives are critical. More to come, and thank you to everyone who showed up or participated in the process and worked to add their voice on issues that impact children and providers to benefit the early learning community. DELC’s policy bills were made stronger as a result of the many partners, Tribes, and families who provided input along the way.
On a personal note, I wanted to share that I will be taking maternity leave this fall, from approximately September through December. We are working on transition plans over the next several weeks and you can expect to hear more from our Executive Leadership Team in my absence. I have appreciated everyone’s support as my husband and I prepare for this new journey!
