DELC Community Newsletter – Page 3

Early Learning Council Chair Transitions

The Early Learning Council wrapped up one of their final meetings prior to their summer recess. The June Council meeting focused on the Council’s Early Learning Hub priority and showcased several Hub regions and their work in early literacy, engaging Tribal Partners and parents, and cross system partnerships

Farewell to Chair Sue Miller

After years of dedicated leadership, Sue Miller is stepping down as Chair of the Early Learning Council. Chair Miller was appointed as Chair of the Council in November 2016 and since then has been an incredible advocate for young children and families during her time on the Council. Chair Miller’s advocacy focused on the complete early childhood system with many priorities focusing on home visiting, infants and toddlers, behavioral health, workforce development and the Early Learning Hubs. The Department of Early Learning and Care thanks Sue for her commitment, and leadership in championing the early childhood system.

Welcoming Chair Elizabeth Farrar Campbell

Governor Tina Kotek has appointed Elizabeth “Liz” Farrar Campbell as the new Chair of the Early Learning Council. Ms. Farrar Campbell was appointed to the ELC in October 2023 and has a strong background in early childhood policy, rural governance and strategic consulting. Formerly serving as an elected Gilliam County Judge, she led efforts to improve early learning and care access in her community. Her work history also includes a wealth of experience in legislative and policy roles in Oregon and Washington DC. The Department of Early Learning and Care is excited to have Liz as the new Chair as her experience aligns strongly with the Council’s mission of coordinating a unified and aligned early childhood system.

Celebrating Two Years of DELC

As July arrives, we are proud to celebrate two years of the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), and we thank you for being part of another incredible program year supporting Oregon’s young children, families, and providers.

As July arrives, we are proud to celebrate two years of the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), and we thank you for being part of another incredible program year supporting Oregon’s young children, families, and providers.

This year was filled with milestones that remind us of the power of partnership and community. Here are just a few:

60 years of Head Start
Together, we celebrated 60 years of Head Start and its transformative impact in every county in Oregon, providing opportunities and support to countless families.

5 years of statewide Preschool Promise
This year marked the 5th anniversary of Preschool Promise going statewide, continuing to expand opportunities for Oregon’s youngest learners and working families.

2 years of DELC
July marks two years of DELC, a vision that has become a reality thanks to your collaboration and commitment to Oregon’s children.

1.5 years since Certified Child Care Center Revised Rules took effect
DELC works hard to ensure community voices are included in the rulemaking process. Keeping rules relevant and ensuring clarity for providers helps further DELC’s values around safety and keeping children safe.

1 year of Growing Oregon Together and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan
This year also marked one year since the publishing of Growing Oregon Together and our DEI Action Plan, as progress continues toward building a more equitable early learning system across the state.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to working together to ensure that all Oregon children and families have access to the high-quality early learning experiences they deserve. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and celebrating together!

Preschool Promise Program Celebrates Five Years of Statewide Impact

This Summer, Preschool Promise marked a major milestone: five years of statewide implementation. Director Chatterjee welcomed families, providers, and partners to celebrate the program’s growth and impact across Oregon’s communities at a Preschool Promise graduation event

“We are proud to celebrate five years of keeping our bold promise to Oregon’s children and families,” said Chatterjee. “Preschool Promise has grown from a small pilot into a transformative statewide program rooted in equity, family choice, and community partnership.”

Preschool Promise serves Oregon’s three- and four-year-olds from families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Launched in 2016 as a small, regional pilot, the program expanded in 2020 statewide and now serves more than 5,200 children across all 36 counties. Of the slots awarded by the Oregon Legislature, 96% of slots were filled in the 2024-2025 school year, a figure that has grown steadily since the program expanded statewide.

“Each day, we get to spend quality time with children–most of whom may not have had access to preschool prior to Preschool Promise,” said Stephanie Whetzel, Director of Early Learning Programs, Salem-Keizer Public Schools. “We see the benefits and hear that our students we teach are more prepared for kindergarten.”

June 2025 Community Newsletter

June 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 June Update

Legislative Session

Recently we received the May revenue forecast, which still shows an increase in revenue from the current 2023-2025 biennium, just at lower levels than previously forecasted. We are working closely with the Governor’s Office, legislators, and the Legislative Fiscal Office as the legislature works to identify their priorities for funding. The legislative session must constitutionally end by June 29th, so we’ll know our DELC budget in the next couple of weeks.

Healthy Families Oregon Summit

I had the privilege of joining HFO program managers, supervisors, and home visitors across the state for a day and a half summit in Bend. Healthy Families Oregon was the first program I learned about when I joined the Early Learning Council (the Council was housed in the Governor’s Office back in 2011-2013), so it was really special to spend time with the folks delivering critical home visiting services for families every day. This work is challenging and incredibly impactful, and I appreciate the chance to hear so many moving stories and continue to advocate for additional staff capacity with the Legislature.

Community Visits

Last month I highlighted that May held both the 60th anniversary of Head Start and Provider Appreciation Day. I had the opportunity to visit The Exploration Center in Dallas and Diaz Daycare in Salem for Provider Appreciation Day. These beautiful programs are a testament to the incredible work happening every day in our Preschool Promise programs. I was also able to join Community Action Head Start in Salem alongside the Governor’s Office and Congressional Delegate staff to celebrate Head Start and Oregon’s unique partnership through Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten. Also in case you missed it, Governor Tina Kotek signed a proclamation in celebration of Head Start’s 60th birthday and recently provided celebratory video remarks to Head Start staff and partners at their State Director meeting.

Click below to view other Community Newsletter articles

Child Care Business Conference Registration Deadline Extended!

First Children’s Finance Oregon announces the FCF Oregon Child Care Business Conference on June 14, 2025, for child care owners to enhance operations, finances, and enrollment. Registration ends June 7.

First Children’s Finance Oregon is thrilled to announce the statewide 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: $50
Registration deadline has been extended and closes June 7th!

At the conference you will:

Attend trainings (including Spanish training options) and earn professional development credit through the Oregon Registry Online (ORO).
Gain impactful strategies to manage costs, attract staff, maximize enrollment, and sustain your child care business!
Build a network of supportive child care professionals who share your goals and challenges.
Listen to First Children’s Finance President and CEO Heidi Hagel-Braid, who will deliver an actionable keynote to help you lead with confidence.
Hear from a panel of key voices shaping child care in Oregon and participate in the conversation.
Walk away with fresh ideas to tackle the everyday hurdles of running your child care business!

Register for the Conference Today!

Child Care Business Conference Registration Closing Soon!

The FCF Oregon Child Care Business Conference on June 14, 2025, offers training, networking, and resources for child care business owners. Registration closes May 31st.

Child Care Business Conference Registration Closing Soon!

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time: 8 am – 4 pm
Where: Willamette Heritage Center; 1313 Mill St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $50
Registration closes May 31^st!

At the conference you will:

Attend trainings (including Spanish training options) and earn professional development credit through the Oregon Registry Online (ORO).
Gain impactful strategies to manage costs, attract staff, maximize enrollment, and sustain your child care business!
Build a network of supportive child care professionals who share your goals and challenges.
Listen to First Children’s Finance President and CEO Heidi Hagel-Braid, who will deliver an actionable keynote to help you lead with confidence.
Hear from a panel of key voices shaping child care in Oregon and participate in the conversation.
Walk away with fresh ideas to tackle the everyday hurdles of running your child care business!

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.

Summer EBT is back! Helping children eat healthy during the summer for a strong start to next school year

The Summer EBT program provides grocery benefits to eligible families with children aged 6-18 during summer months.

Summer EBT is back for its second year of helping families buy groceries to keep kids healthy all summer. Most children receive Summer EBT automatically, but some families need to apply. Families with children who attend a school, or a Head Start program that offers free or reduced-price meals should check to see if they need to apply at sebt.oregon.gov.

Summer EBT is a grocery benefit program for school-aged children (ages 6 to 18) to help families buy food during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Eligible families receive a one-time payment of $120 per child. Benefits are loaded onto Oregon EBT cards and expire 122 days after issuance.

Who’s Eligible?

Children are eligible if, during the 2024–25 school year, they:

Received SNAP, TANF, or Oregon Health Plan with income under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Attended a school offering the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Were in foster care, or are enrolled in programs for migrant students, experiencing houselessness, in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or attending a Head Start that participates in NSLP/SBP.

Who Needs to Apply?

Families already receiving SNAP, TANF or Oregon Health Plan benefits do not need to apply—they’ll be enrolled automatically.
Families who applied and were approved in 2024 will also receive benefits automatically in 2025.
Others must apply. Families can apply any time using a paper application. Paper applications are available in 10 languages at sebt.oregon.gov. Starting May 30, families can apply online in English or Spanish at sebt.oregon.gov.

Important dates

May 19, 2025: Oregon Summer EBT Call Center opens.
- Call Center Number: 1-833-ORE-SEBT (1-833-673-7328)
- The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., PDT.
- Call center agents will be able to assist customers in English and Spanish. For other language needs an interpreter service will be provided.
May 22, 2025: Families with children who are automatically eligible will get benefits on their Oregon EBT cards.
May 30, 2025: Online application period opens. Online and paper applications begin processing. Oregon EBT cards will be mailed to qualifying families.