Tag: CCU-2024

Help Shape the Future of Child Care in Oregon

First Children’s Finance, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care, is offering free BLC opportunities for Registered/Certified Family Child Care and Certified Center Child Care programs.

First Children’s Finance is excited to partner with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care to provide Business Leadership Cohort (BLC) opportunities at no cost to Registered/Certified Family Child Care Programs and Certified Center Child Care programs.

Space is limited; cohort selection is not first-come, first-to-participate. Priority will be given to new programs in areas with limited training resources and providers new to a leadership role; other factors included on the application will also be considered.

Applications will be reviewed starting January 10, with accepted participants being notified in mid-January. A stipend of up to $2,465 will be provided to all participants who successfully complete a Business Leadership Cohort.

  • The BLC consists of four business training/development sessions and two consultations; participation in all is required to receive the certificate AND stipend.
  • Participants gain tools and skills to manage enrollment, analyze finances, understand child care business operations, and more!
  • Learn and grow with peers!

Space is limited! Applications will be open from January 2 at 5 pm PST to January 9 at 5 pm PST.

Apply Here!

To learn more about upcoming cohorts, please select your business type and language: 

Child Care Centers 

Family-based Child Care 

SESSIONS (dates are tentative and are likely to change) 

  • Family Child Care, Session 1: Thursdays (January 9, 16; February 6, 13; plus 2 consultation dates) 
  •  Family Child Care, Session 2: Tuesdays (January 14, 21; February 11, 18; plus 2 consultation dates) 
  •    Family Child Care, Session 3: Thursdays (February 13, 20; March 13, 20; plus 2 consultation dates) 
  •    Child Care Centers, Session A: Wednesdays (January 15, 22; February 12, 19; plus 2 consultation dates) 
  •    Child Care Centers, Session B: Tuesdays (March 4, 11; April 8, 15; plus 2 consultation dates) 

Interpretation services will be available in Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.   

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Register to attend DELC’s January Provider Information Session

This is a virtual event. Registration is required to attend via Zoom. You may submit questions in advance on the registration form.

Join us in January to learn about the following topics:

  • Becoming an Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Listed Provider
  • First Children’s Finance Business Supports and Survey Results
  • Agency and Program Updates

Thursday, January 16 | 6 – 7 p.m.

All provider types. (Interpretation available)

Zoom Registration:  https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_e4juPyw5QYGF8sklluCMmw

This is a virtual event. Registration is required to attend via Zoom. You may submit questions in advance on the registration form. You may also participate on DELC’s Facebook page live stream at the same time. DELC staff will monitor the Facebook comment section for questions. Note: Attendees utilizing interpretation services (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and ASL) should join the session via Zoom.

For more information, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/delc/providers/pages/provider-info-sessions.aspx

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Help Shape the Future of Child Care in Oregon

Please take a moment to provide your program’s information via the Market Price and Supply Survey Form.

Your Input is Key to Improving Child Care Support

Child Care providers play a vital role in Oregon’s communities, and your insights are crucial to understanding the costs and availability of care across the state. The Market Price and Supply Study is your opportunity to make your voice heard and help shape policies that affect you and the families you serve.

What is the Market Price & Supply Study?

The Market Price & Supply Study helps us understand the current landscape of child care services, including:

  • Price of Care: How much providers are charging famillies for care.
  • Community access: Rates and availability of care across Oregon.
  • Service types: Care rates for different age groups and operating schedules.

This study is crucial for informing Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) rates and ensuring that child care pricing aligns with the realities of the market. Your participation is a key part of this process.

Why Should You Participate?

By participating, you’ll:

  • Contribute to fair and accurate rate-setting for child care subsidies like the Employment Related Daycare (ERDC) Program.
  • Help policymakers understand the challenges and opportunities in providing care for different age groups and regions.
  • Ensure your perspective is included in decisions that impact providers and families statewide.
What Will We Ask?

The study will focus on:

  • Child care program prices
  • Number of child care spaces available for

• Infants and Toddlers

• Preschoolers

• Before and after school care

• School age summer care

Diversity and care opportunities

  • In languages other than English
  • In non-traditional hours: overnight, swing shifts, or weekends

Your response to the survey will be used to inform policies and practices.

How to Participate
Completing the Market Price & Supply Study is simple! Follow the link below to access the survey. The information you provide is essential in helping to shape future child care policies. https://wou.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZmAKMiHeLBLCg6

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New! Market Price and Supply Study Survey Form Option Added

Please take a moment to provide your program’s information via the Market Price and Supply Survey Form.

Oregon conducts a Market Price & Supply Study (MPSS) every two years to understand the current prices and supply of child care across the state. By participating, you help Oregon leaders have the information they need to make policy decisions, such as setting subsidy rates and investing in child care supply. The 2024 study is being conducted between October 1 – December 31.

Please take a moment to provide your program’s information via the Market Price and Supply Survey Form. When sharing this information your Find Child Care Oregon profile will be updated, and you will be participating in the 2024 MPSS. If you have questions about this survey, please contact us at: fcco@wou.edu

You can also participate using your Find Child Care Oregon Profile or by contacting your regional CCR&R. Learn more at https://findchildcareoregon.org/providers

The study is a partnership between your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), The Research Institute at Western Oregon University, Oregon State University, and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).

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December 2024 Community Newsletter

December 2024 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates

A Message from the Director

I can’t believe how quicky November flew by! As we enter the last month of the year, here are some reflections from the last several weeks.  

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 December Update

Governor’s Recommended Budget
We’re in the final countdown as we await the release of the Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB)! The GRB will be out by December 2, 2024. If you thought our Agency Request Budget was long, wait until you see the GRB! It will be released in two formats: long book and short book. It’ll take our team a little bit to look through our portion of the budget, but this will represent DELC’s official stance and recommendations as we head into the legislative session. As an executive branch agency, DELC does not take a position on any budget or policy request – either in support of or against – unless it is in the GRB or has been expressly approved by the Governor’s Office.  

BUILD State Partners Fall Meeting
I had the chance to join our BUILD State Team in Philadelphia this month. The team included our Early Learning Programs Director, Gwyn Bachtle, as well as representatives from the Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Housing and Community Services, and typically includes our partners with the Oregon Department of Education. While I only got to spend a day there, it was an amazing opportunity to connect with other state agencies doing similar work. We all have different programs in our purview and different types of authority, but it was so nice to be in a room where everyone was working in the best interest of children and families with early learning in mind. The work this team did will help inform the Early Learning Council’s 2025 priorities going forward. 

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Department of Early Learning and Care update for Preschool Promise Program with South Central Early Learning Hub: Request for Applications

The Department of Early Learning and Care is accepting applications for Preschool Promise Programs with South Central Early Learning Hub.

Request for Applications 

We are excited to announce a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Preschool Promise (PSP) program for the 2024-2025 program year specific to the South-Central region with the South-Central Early Learning Hub (Douglas; Klamath; Lake counties). DELC is seeking applications from interested entities to reallocate funds to serve a total of 18 preschoolers in the South-Central region.  

PSP grant amounts are based on the specified number of slots awarded.  The funding per slot is as follows:   

  • Base amount: $15,650 per slot per year    
  • Transportation enhancement: $1,100 per slot per year.    
  • One-time start-up amounts:   

                                   – PSP sites will receive $2,000 per new slot awarded   

Are you interested in applying?  

Interested applicants have the option to apply in English or Spanish. All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm on December 31, 2024. 

Click here to learn more oregon.gov/delc/programs/pages/psp-rfa-directory.aspx.

Want to learn more about this opportunity?  

DELCs Preschool Promise Program team is hosting an informational webinar on November 25th and 26th. You can also visit Department of Early Learning and Care : Application for Preschool Promise RFA and Waitlist : Programs : State of Oregon  to learn more about the criteria and process.  

Webinars available:  

What does it mean to be on the Preschool Promise waitlist?   

If you apply to be a part of the Preschool Promise program and are placed on the waitlist, you have the chance to be chosen later in the 2024-2025 program year if more funding becomes available or slots become available within your service region.  

What is Preschool Promise (PSP)?  

Preschool Promise is a high-quality, publicly funded preschool program that serves families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and children in foster care. Preschool Promise is delivered in a variety of settings, including centers, homes, and schools.  

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OPEN Outdoor Nature-Based Rules Advisory Committee (RAC)

The Department of Early Learning and Care is seeking applicants for the Outdoor Nature-Based Rules Advisory Committee (RAC)

Updated on December 2, 2024

If you are a child care provider and know a parent or care giver who might be interested in this opportunity, please share this RAC blog post with them.

Participants will be reimbursed for their time and expertise.

During the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 2717 passed and requires the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) to create a pathway to license child care programs that primarily serve children in outdoor settings. CCLD is hosting a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules pertaining to outdoor learning environments and identify financial and equity impacts that might result from the proposed rules.

CCLD would like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in this RAC:

  • Directors/representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments from across the state
  • Representation from DELC funded early learning programs (Baby Promise, Preschool Promise, Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten, Early Childhood Equity Fund, or Relief Nurseries)
  • Parents/family members of children who attend ONB programs
  • Outdoor learning environment subject matter experts and current practitioners
  • Representatives from culturally specific organizations working with young children
  • Early Learning Hub representatives
  • Tribal Nation representatives
  • Child Care Resource and Referral representatives

Reimbursement:

Participants will be reimbursed for their time and expertise.

Links to the Application:

English Application

Spanish Application

Chinese Application

Russian Application

Vietnamese Application   

Application Window:

The application period opens on November 18, 2024 and closes on December 15, 2024.

Meeting Details:

  • Meetings will begin in January 2025.
  • Four meetings will be held.
  • The meetings will be virtual.
  • Meeting days and times will be finalized with the selected participants.

Additional questions?

For questions about participation, please contact Kendele Miyasaki, at Kendele.MIYASAKI@delc.oregon.gov.

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Health Care Resources: Time limited opportunity for more affordable health insurance for early childhood staff

Sharing Health Care Resources for early childhood staff

Early Childhood Providers in Oregon May Now Be Eligible for Affordable Health Insurance

Early childhood providers may now be eligible for more affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace®, due to continued expanded tax credits. As early childhood providers, you have played a crucial role for children, families, and communities, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to have the opportunity to expand more affordable health coverage to early childhood providers due to the Inflation Reduction Act.

Learn more  (PDF) about what coverage you may be eligible for through the Health Insurance Marketplace® and follow along to this step-by-step training as you fill out applications.

You can learn more by reading this flier What Do Early Childhood Educators Need To Know About The Marketplace?

(English  (PDF)and

 Spanish (PDF)

November 2024 Community Newsletter

November 2024 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates

A Message from the Director

Welcome to November! Another month has flown by, and we are heading into rainier weather. There has been a lot going on, and I am excited to share a few high points with you all. 

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 November Update

On the Road!
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has started joining some regional community visits and participating in licensing visits across the state. I have been able to visit an Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten/Head Start program in Redmond, and home-based and center-based programs in Grants Pass and Medford, a relief nursery in Hillsboro, in addition to many more. Please see some of the photo highlights below  I so appreciate all the providers and programs that have opened their doors and shared your stories with us! We hope to continue these visits over the coming months and into the new year.  

Early Learning Council Retreat
I was able to join the annual Early Learning Council retreat, which was hosted in Southern Oregon this year. We got to hear from community leaders doing innovative work to center children and families and coordinate with the Southern Oregon Early Learning Services Hub. The Council also spent some time identifying what their priorities will be for 2025 as they continue to champion Raise Up Oregon as the early childhood system plan for the state. If you want to hear more about the Council’s priorities and some preliminary data analysis for Raise Up Oregon implementation, tune into the meeting recordings on our YouTube channel. I am excited for the work ahead! 

DELC in Community

Visiting Hillsboro

Director Chatterjee joins relief nursery providers and advocates for a tour of the Northwest Children’s Relief Nursery in Hillsboro.  

DELC staff visit Cornelius Elementary School

DELC staff had the pleasure of joining the Children’s Institute Learning Tour at Cornelius Elementary School.

Pictured below Representative Courtney Neron and advocates share lunch with students. 

Touring Redmond:
Neighborhood Impact and Head Start

Director Chatterjee had the pleasure of meeting with Neighbor Impact and touring a Head Start classroom in Redmond.

Pictured: Scott Cooper, NeighborImpact Executive Director, Kim Brown, Director of Head Start and Early Head Start, Alyssa Chatterjee, DELC Director and Patrick Carey, Deputy Executive Director of Head Start and Early Head Start stand outside of a NeighborImpact facility prior to touring classrooms in Redmond. Photo credit to NeighborImpact.  

Children’s Institute 2024

DELC staff join the Children’s Institute’s 2024 Champions for Children luncheon.

Pictured to the left is Andi Molnar Bales and Jon Reeves pose for a photo.

Pictured Below is Chief Executive Officer Kali Thorne Ladd inspires participants from the stage around the importance of centering children today for a brighter tomorrow. 

Grants Pass: Early Learning Council Tour of Growing Together Family Center

Director Chatterjee and DELC staff join the Early Learning Council in a tour of the Growing Together Family Community Center in Grants Pass and heard from families.  

Visiting Southern Oregon University in Ashland

Oregon Early Learning Council members and agency representatives were hosted by Southern Oregon University in Ashland where they met to discuss progress on Raise Up Oregon and to hear other agencies and presentations by local providers.  

Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon

Oregon Early Learning Council Chair Sue Miller and Council member Peter Buckley thank Executive Director Sunny Spicer of the Oregon Center for Creative Learning for hosting the council for a tour and reception at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon in Medford.

Pictured above a group photo of participants pose in front of a sculpture of Big Foot.  

Pictured below, a Halloween themed treats display.

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A DELC Employee’s Head Start Story

My experience as a Head Start kid empowers me to understand more intimately the impact the program can have. 

Head Start Awareness Month is a personal reflection for many of us. For some, it’s because of our work in government and our closeness and belief in the mission of equitable access to early education. For others, we have been a part of Head Start, as teachers, staff, or even children whose education began in a program. My experience as a Head Start kid empowers me to understand more intimately the impact the program can have. 

Photo of DELC Employee Christina and her oldest child at the Oregon Zoo.

My mother worked in education. Her career began at Head Start when my brother joined the program for early intervention services to help with his speech delay. The program paid for her to get her GED and then hired her to help with speech services. She gained experience as a staff member and then worked for the Hillsboro School District as an assistant to a speech therapist. She worked in that role and transitioned to an Education Specialist, specializing in IEPs until she retired. I joined Head Start as a sibling to a qualifying kiddo, my brother.  

I am the youngest of seven children, but my brother and I were the only children to attend Head Start, and both of us have chosen a career in public service. Today, I work at the Department of Early Learning and Care to ensure that other young children have access to early learning and care. My brother is now a skills trainer/QMHA for a program in the Portland area, helping those with behavioral health support needs to experience life as freely as possible. 

Working for this agency as a Head Start kid feels full circle. I think about how my family’s life, my life, or my brother’s life could have been different if we didn’t have the access we had. I have spoken to other folks in government who are also Head Start kids. From one Head Start kiddo to others working in government – thank you for your service. It matters. Happy Head Start Awareness Month!