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Oregon Communities to Guide Redesign of the Oregon Kindergarten Assessment

News Release
May 20, 2022
CONTACT: Marc Siegel, Oregon Department of Education
Melanie Mesaros, Early Learning Division[fruitful_sep]

Oregon Communities to Guide Redesign of the Oregon Kindergarten Assessment
Community input supports development of responsive and relevant assessment tool

Salem, OR – The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) are collaborating with communities across the state to redesign the Oregon Kindergarten Assessment (OKA). The redesigned tool will be culturally responsive and foster a safe and supportive environment in which Oregon’s young children and families can learn and thrive.

On May 19, ODE and ELD presented the initial plan for developing a redesigned tool to replace the OKA to the Oregon State Board of Education. The process of redesigning that tool will be referred to as the “Early Learning Transition Check-In: A Collaborative Engagement with Community.” The redesigned tool that results from this process will provide the state with a snapshot of data on Oregon’s children and families as they begin kindergarten.

“The data from this redesigned tool will inform state-level decisions about Oregon’s early learning and care programs, policies, and practices,” said David Mandell, Chief of Policy and Research at the Early Learning Division. “The tool will also build awareness and strengthen connections between families and educators in our K-12 schools and ultimately help with efforts to meet the needs of Oregon’s children and families.”

Due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, the OKA was suspended by the State Board of Education from fall 2020 to 2021. The OKA was previously given each fall to entering kindergartners to assess three core areas of learning and development: early literacy, early math and interpersonal/self-regulation skills.

“This suspension presented us with an opportunity to examine how we were gathering information about our kindergarteners,” said Dan Farley, Director of Assessment at the Oregon Department of Education. “By redesigning with Oregon communities, we can develop an assessment tool that is meaningful and supportive of Oregon children, families, and educators.”

With guidance from an advisory panel, ODE and ELD created a timeline for developing the first component of the new approach, a family interview. In the next month, ODE and ELD will begin the redesign by hosting family listening sessions to gather initial feedback on the interview questions. Families of color and families with children experiencing disabilities are being prioritized for these sessions. In the fall, ODE and ELD will work with five to 10 schools from across the state to test the family interview component. To learn more about the timeline, visit oregonearlylearning.com/PreKCheckin.

Background on the Oregon Kindergarten Assessment

In the past, the state received feedback from families and educators that the Oregon Kindergarten Assessment was not a culturally responsive tool and was particularly harmful and problematic for children and families in communities marginalized by Oregon’s education system. In addition, staff administering the OKA did not receive implicit and explicit bias training. Educators and school administrators also expressed concerns about its purpose and whether it duplicated existing screening and monitoring systems. The new tool, or tools, will be designed and implemented using anti-racist practices that are culturally responsive.

[fruitful_sep]More details about Early Learning Transition Check-In: A Collaborative Engagement with Community are available online.

Share Your Gratitude on Provider Appreciation Day: May 6, 2022

Governor Kate Brown is joined by Early Learning Division Director Alyssa Chatterjee (right) and two young children at a visit to a South Coast in-home child care to celebrate National Provider Appreciation Day®.[fruitful_sep]

Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued a statewide proclamation to recognize National Provider Appreciation Day® on May 6, 2022, encouraging Oregonians to thank and celebrate child care providers for their contributions. Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day every year to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere.

As stated in the proclamation by Governor Brown, “The COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous hardship for child care providers and the families of Oregon who depend on them,” she said. “Providers have continued to meet the needs of families, while risking their health and financial stability to remain open.”

Oregonians can share stories and offer gratitude on social media with the tag #ThankYouChildCare or #ThankATeacher.

Federal Grants Help Stabilize Child Care Programs In Oregon During Pandemic | Part 3

PART 3

Note: This is part 3 in a series of three profiles on child care providers who received COVID-19 Child Care Stabilization grants. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here.

Hermiston provider perseveres after COVID-19 closures

[fruitful_sep]Children at Jardin Infantil in Hermiston participate in an enrichment activity.[fruitful_sep]

Like many others providing child care in Oregon, Marisela Ortiz used some of her grant funding to pay for basics: utility bills, food for her program, school supplies, a portable air conditioner for hot weather, upgrading the meal prep area of her kitchen, and purchasing a printer for her computer.

But COVID-19 hit Ortiz especially hard. She was forced to close four separate times due to illnesses in her program. The Spanish-speaking provider owns and operates Jardin Infantil at her home in Hermiston. Thanks to the ELD’s COVID-19 Stabilization Grant funding, she was able to recoup about 70% of the losses for the closures, which threatened to close her business for good.

She is now able to focus on the children’s learning and enrichment activities. Today, she’s been using her new printer for age-appropriate handouts and worksheets in both Spanish and English. The grant funds also allowed her to buy outside toys for the children to improve their gross motor skills.

“I was so thankful to be able to receive the grant funds,” Ortiz said. “I was able to purchase so many necessary items for my students. The grant made it possible to keep my business open.”

Federal Grants Help Stabilize Child Care Programs In Oregon During Pandemic | Part 2

PART 2

Note: This is part 2 in a series of three profiles on child care providers who received COVID-19 Child Care Stabilization grants. You can read the first part here.

Bilingual program offers care to families of essential workers

[fruitful_sep]Sabi Valesco at her Aloha location of Amazing Minds Child Development Center and Preschools.[fruitful_sep]

Sabi Valesco owns and operates two English/Spanish bilingual certified day care and preschool programs: Amazing Minds Child Development Center and Preschools in Aloha and in Northwest Portland.

When the pandemic began, all of the children cared for at the Portland center stayed home with their parents because they were able to work from home. But in the Aloha center, parents who were essential workers still needed a place to send their children. With the Portland location closed, Valesco had to flex programs and staff to keep her Aloha center open for the 10 to 13 children she served daily, rather than the usual 16 children at each center. Closing the center meant a significant loss in income, but the bills at that location were still coming, including expenses for rent and utilities.

“I didn’t think my business was going to be able to survive, but the grant allowed me to pay necessary expenses during the pandemic,” said Valesco. “My families were so grateful that I could keep my Aloha location open and care for their children in a safe environment. The Early Learning Division was a huge help, providing me with supplies to help during the pandemic, including things like personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer. I was able to give masks to my families, who couldn’t get them elsewhere.”

In addition to paying the bills, Valesco was able to make some improvements to her centers. She bought new furniture and made other upgrades.

“We pulled out carpeting and replaced the flooring with linoleum, which can be cleaned thoroughly,” she said. “We also bought a washer and dryer for the center, which helps immensely. Now I don’t have to go to the laundromat on weekends to wash everyone’s bedding.”

Valesco, who was forced to adapt like so many during the pandemic, said the funding offered some peace of mind.

“This grant not only allowed me to keep my business going, but provide necessary child care throughout the pandemic,” she said. “Additionally, I was able to give my hard-working staff a bonus as a thank you. I honestly don’t know if I would have made it without the support of the grant and the ELD.”

[fruitful_sep]The stabilization grant allowed Valesco to upgrade the flooring in her daycare to a waterproof vinyl plank that is easier to sanitize. She was also able to upgrade some of the furniture and pay her staff bonuses.[fruitful_sep]

Federal grants help stabilize child care programs in Oregon during pandemic | Part 1

When COVID-19 struck in 2020, families and child care providers were left to navigate the uncertainty of the virus. Some parents decided to keep their children out of care, while providers struggled to hire and retain staff and keep pace with expenses.

In response, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 offered states federal funding to help stabilize child care programs. Oregon received approximately $224 million in grant funding to pay directly to qualified child care providers throughout the state.

The COVID-19 Child Care Stabilization grants have been used to cover increased expenses for providers, including personnel costs, rent or mortgage payments, COVID-related supplies, training and professional development related to health and safety practices, mental health supports, and reimbursement of costs associated with the public health emergency.

To receive these funds, a child care program had to be open and providing care and apply before the end of 2021. In all, 3,286 programs in Oregon received grant funding – this includes 94% of Certified Family providers, 84% of Registered Family, 88% of Certified Centers and 54% of license-exempt Employment Related Day Care providers.

We’re introducing you to three child care providers who used these dollars to remain open, while making program improvements or supporting their staff.

Karsyn’s Home Day Kare in Eugene
finds flexibility to expand

[fruitful_sep]Karsyn Lovendahl stands in the indoor playroom at her home-based child care in Eugene. Lovendahl was able to use stabilization grant funding to expand the space to care for children.[fruitful_sep]

Karsyn Lovendahl operates a registered family child care out of her home in Eugene called Karsyn’s Home Day Kare. She has a license to care for 10 children in program but currently cares for up to six children each day, including two infants. When Lovendahl and her husband bought their current home several years ago, they used the daylight basement as a home for her father-in-law. The 1,100 square foot space came equipped with a small kitchenette, laundry, living space, and bath.

“When we bought the house, it was always my dream to remodel the daylight basement space into more day care space,” she said. “But, after my father-in-law moved out, we realized that it would make better sense to move our living space to the basement and expand the day care space upstairs.”

Now, Lovendahl is using her grant to realize her newly revised dream.

“I’m really looking forward to adding kid-friendly furnishings to make this dream come true,” she continued. “Our expanded space will include a quiet area for the infants that can be separate from the others as needed.”

“This grant was the perfect opportunity at the right time for us. Keeping the space upstairs makes it much easier for morning drop-offs and evening pick-ups.” said Karsyn. “With this expanded space, I may be able to hire an assistant expand my capacity.”

[fruitful_sep]Karsyn’s Home Day Kare improved the drop-off and pick-up space for families.[fruitful_sep]

Note: This is part 1 in a series of three profiles. You can read part 2 here.

Celebrate Week of the Young Child®: April 2 to 8, 2022

Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued a statewide proclamation to recognize the 51^st Week of the Young Child®, encouraging Oregonians to support children and the adults who love, care for, and educate them. The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

As stated in the proclamation by Brown, “The essential, yet chronically undercompensated child care sector has sacrificed and struggled to serve families since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and public policies and public investments that support children in high-quality, culturally responsive early learning and child care are vital to all Oregonians.”

NAEYC provides resources and ideas for enjoying a fun-filled week.

New Report Reveals Community Partnerships are Key in Advancing Equity and Inclusion for Children Under Five Experiencing Disabilities

NEWS RELEASE
March 31, 2022
Contact: Marc Siegel, Oregon Department of Education
Melanie Mesaros, Early Learning Division

Innovative, made-in-Oregon solutions demonstrate how every child can learn and thrive together with their peers, friends, and neighbors.

Salem, OR – Prioritizing partnerships to focus on equity and inclusion for children under five is critical to helping our earliest learners experiencing disabilities.

That’s the key finding revealed in the Oregon Early Childhood Inclusion Indicators Initiative Annual Report released today by Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Early Learning Division (ELD), and early learning system leaders and advocates around the state.

The report, released during National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, outlines the vision, mission, and progress towards creating equal opportunity to access high-quality early care and education for children experiencing disabilities. It also highlights the need for continued investments to ensure families, providers, general and special education staff have the support they need to provide stable and continuous care for young children in community and early care and education environments.

“Children experiencing disability exist in every early learning and care environment. Let’s ensure they feel welcome and that their caregivers have the support and education they need to feel capable and confident,” said Colt Gill, Director of ODE. “Belonging and inclusion are not special rights. Every child and family deserves an early learning system that can see them as they are, in all of their humanity including their race, language, culture, and disability.”

“As we continue to expand our early learning system, it’s critical that children experiencing disabilities are included in our high-quality early care and education settings,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, Oregon Early Learning System Director. “I am excited to continue partnering with ODE, communities on the ground, and funding initiatives such as the Oregon State University Early Learning System Initiative to ensure the best opportunities for all our children across the state.”

The report summarizes inclusion and equity success stories from around the state. The examples and lessons learned within these communities are a model for other schools and districts.

Highlights from the state and community collaboration include:

Shared and aligned guidance from state agencies including the Early Learning Division, Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education have provided continuity for many communities throughout Oregon during COVID-19.
More than 150 hours of shared professional development based on the community, local program, and early care and education indicators of high-quality early childhood inclusion.
Discussions with Grand Ronde community leaders about their perspectives on disability and indigenous ways of knowing, their passion and commitment to keeping children within community settings and frustration with sometimes siloed service delivery models for supporting children and families.

“Every child should learn and thrive together with their peers, friends, and neighbors,” said Autumn Belloni, Director of Early Intervention Early Childhood Special Education for Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District, one of the key report contributors.

“Our journey is a building process, we are creating environments so any child can come in, be welcome, and thrive,” said Jill Luther, the Inclusion Program Coach for the Lincoln County Community Inclusion Team. Luther is quoted in the report.

Background On Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education In Oregon

Oregon early intervention and early childhood special education programs serve 11% of the total population of infants, toddlers, and preschool children from birth to age five. These services can take place in homes with families or other caregivers, center-based and home-based child care, public and private preschools, often with children who do not experience disability. We know this creates a richer experience for children with and without disability, supporting all students to learn and grow, building community and friendships, and increasing empathy and awareness of differences- skills that are an essential part of the human experience. As a state that has identified 25 out of 36 counties in Oregon as a child care desert for preschoolers, the early learning system must continue to ensure there are sufficient opportunities for young children with disabilities to access, participate, and receive special education services and support within early care and education environments. The limited availability of early care and education settings creates challenges for families and providers who are doing the best they can to support development and learning in a child care or preschool environment where children may spend most of their time outside of the home, often leading to the child experiencing disability being asked to leave.

ODE and ELD heard loud and clear from recent engagement with families and providers across the state that comprehensive, coordinated, aligned, and innovative solutions are needed to address inequities. This is why families, advocacy groups, State Agency leadership and staff from the Early Learning Division, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, Regional Early Learning Sector Leaders, School Districts and Education Service Districts, Higher Education, state and regional training and technical assistance providers have partnered throughout this process and contributed to this report through their words, actions, and feedback.

More details about State and Regional Partners are available online.

OSU receives $14.4 million grant for statewide center to support early childhood educators

*News Release by the Oregon State University. Click here for media contact.*

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March 16, 2022

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State University will use a new $14.4 million grant from Oregon’s Early Learning Division to establish a statewide center focused on strengthening the early childhood education workforce in Oregon.

The Early Learning Systems Initiative center will be housed within OSU’s Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families.

“Many factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased attention to the challenges facing the early childhood education workforce. There’s high turnover, low wages and a lack of opportunity for professional development and advancement,” said Megan McClelland, director of the Hallie E. Ford Center and principal investigator on the grant. “I think the state has really recognized the need to increase support for Oregon’s diverse field of early childhood educators in both home and center-based programs.”

The new center will provide support and training from an anti-bias, culturally responsive lens to better equip educators who care for children from marginalized populations and for children who have experienced trauma. It will work closely with similar centers at Portland State University, Western Oregon University as well as the Early Learning Division to build on their existing work and to align with the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program currently being developed.

Rather than teaching educators directly, the center will focus on a “train the trainers” framework, providing mentorship and resources for coaches around the state to share with early childhood educators within their communities. The center has hired four new coaches to help perform this work.

Recent OSU reports show that every county in Oregon qualifies as a “child care desert” for infants and toddlers, while 25 of 36 counties are child care deserts for kids ages 3-5. Desert status means there are at least three children per available child care slot in those age groups.

Working with community partners to understand the needs of the early childhood education workforce and identify gaps in training is an essential part of addressing this problem, especially considering the impacts of the pandemic, McClelland said.

She said Oregon educators have communicated that they don’t have enough training in how to meet the needs of children from marginalized populations and children who have been exposed to trauma. They also said they need more training in how to prevent preschool expulsion.

McClelland pointed to a major Yale study from 2005 that found pre-K students are expelled at more than three times the rate of K-12 students. Furthermore, federal data from 2014 showed that Black preschool students were 3.6 times more likely than white students to receive out-of-school suspensions. In Oregon, a 2020 statewide household survey found that 6.3% of all children were asked to leave their child care programs, with higher rates among children of color and children with disabilities.

Trauma-informed teaching will be at the foreground of the center’s work, as kids who have been exposed to trauma are more likely to act out and to experience anxiety and other mental health issues.

The center will also give coaches resources to teach early childhood educators about transitioning to a “strength-based” mindset, where the goal is to deescalate stressful situations and prevent problems before they arise for the benefit of both students and teachers.

“We want to support the early education workforce in ways that reduce stress and burnout, so they are more effective educators,” McClelland said.

The center will also create digital literacy trainings to help educators access online professional learning opportunities in their preferred language.

OSU faculty members Megan Pratt, Shauna Tominey, Bridget Hatfield and Shannon Lipscomb will be co-leaders of the center.

About the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences: The first accredited college of public health in Oregon, the college creates connections in teaching, research and community outreach while advancing knowledge, policies and practices that improve population health in communities across the state and beyond.

Oregon increases income limits for food and child care assistance

This news release is from the Oregon Department of Human Services.
[fruitful_sep]

Need to know

Oregon has increased the income eligibility limit for food and child care
assistance up to 200% of the federal poverty level

Previous income limits were 185% of the federal poverty level

Approximately 18,000 additional households in Oregon may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under these new income guidelines

Approximately $25 million in additional food benefits will be issued to
Oregonians annually

Find resources to meet your basic needs: Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, 211info.org

Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has increased the income limits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $2,147 a month for an individual or $3,660 for a family of three. The previous income limit for these programs was 185% of the federal poverty level, or $1,986 a month for an individual or $3,386 for a family of three. This change took effect in Oregon on Jan. 1, 2022, and approximately 18,000 new households are expected to be eligible to enroll in SNAP. Approximately $25 million in additional food benefits will be issued to Oregonians annually.

“Coming into the COVID-19 pandemic, life was difficult for many Oregonians, especially people of color, Oregon Tribal Nations, people with disabilities and older adults,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “As COVID-19 continues to impact our communities, we know that many are struggling to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families. This increase will provide critical food support to thousands of Oregonians.”

The ERDC program has two income limits to participate in the program, for when a family applies to participate in the program and when a family renews their participation in the program. The entry income limit to enroll in the program has increased to 200% of federal poverty level. Families can continue to participate in the program until their income is above 250% of the federal poverty level, or $5,303 a month for a family of three.

“It’s encouraging to see child care prioritized with other critical benefits to support Oregon families,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “This change will help more families access child care at a pivotal time – one that’s brought uncertainty and challenges.”

Oregonians can apply for medical, food, cash, and child care assistance in one place online at ONE.Oregon.gov, over-the-phone at 800-699-9075, or in-person at a local office. Due to COVID-19, Oregonians are encouraged to call ahead before their local office.

ODHS offers these tips to Oregonians to help them as they apply for benefits:

Before you begin an application, compile all documents you think you might need ahead of time. This can prevent your application from being held up and taking additional time. These documents could include: Identification, proof of income, social security numbers or other documents to determine eligibility for anyone in the household who is applying for benefits.
If you have already submitted an online, in-person or over-the-phone application, you do not need to reapply. ODHS has your application and will process it as quickly as possible.
If you applied through the ONE online application, you can track your application’s status using the same system you used to apply. Log in to one.oregon.gov to start tracking. Note: This website is accessible on computers, tablets and phones, but it is not optimized for mobile viewing.
If you prefer to apply over the phone, the ONE Customer Service Center is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Currently hold times are lowest in the morning from 7 until 8 a.m.
If you are only applying for medical benefits, you can get free application help from an OHP-Certified Community Partner. Community Partners are trained and certified to help clients understand and use their health coverage options, including helping them complete eligibility and enrollment forms. Find a Community Partner at https://healthcare.oregon.gov/Pages/find-help.aspx

Resources to help meet basic needs

Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or http://www.adrcoforegon.org.
Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, http://www.211info.org
Locate a child care provider by texting ‘children’ to 898-211 or visiting http://www.211info.org
Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: http://www.caporegon.org/find-services/
Oregon Department of Human Services COVID-19 help center

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About the Oregon Department of Human Services
The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

Contact: Jake Sunderland, Jake.Sunderland@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon Announces Stabilization Grant Opportunity to Assist Child Care Providers

(Salem, Ore) – Child care providers in Oregon are invited to apply for child care stabilization grants through the Early Learning Division (ELD). Oregon received approximately $224 million in grant funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to be paid directly to eligible providers struggling during COVID-19.

“Child care providers have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, continuing to care for children while navigating uncertainty about the virus and facing challenges in hiring and retaining staff,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “We hope these funds will provide some much needed relief to offset increased expenses, but we know this doesn’t go far enough. Congress must continue to provide the resources needed to sustain our child care system so providers can continue offering quality care to Oregon families.”

Funding will be available to a broad range of providers, including licensed family child care, center-based care, and license-exempt providers receiving child care subsidies. To be eligible for these funds, providers must be currently open and operating. The funding cannot be used to start a new program. To be considered for the grant, providers must complete an application on ELD’s website by December 31, 2021. Award amounts will vary based on provider type and other criteria.

Child care providers may use the grants to cover a range of expenses such as personnel costs, rent or mortgage payments, COVID-related supplies, training and professional development related to health and safety practices, mental health supports, and reimbursement of costs associated with the current public health emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions are posted to ELD’s website. Providers can also contact ELD at ECCgrants@ode.oregon.gov or 971-707-2029 (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) with questions.