Happy New Years from the Department of Early Learning and Care.
Upcoming Provider Information Sessions
REGISTER TO ATTEND DELC’S JANUARY PROVIDER INFORMATION SESSIONS
Join us in January to learn about the below topics:
– Rulemaking Update
– ERDC Waitlist Update
– Stabilization Grant Monitoring Update
– Optional: DELC Strategic Plan Conversation
Wednesday, January 17 | 6 – 7 p.m.
All provider types. (Interpretation available)
ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_4ziocX_qRBy03_Pg7Y-QQg
Thursday, January 18 | 6 – 7 p.m.
All provider types. (Conducted in Spanish)
ZOOM: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ChuyZxerTTa3Ujsk_KZJeg
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
Sign up for Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) email updates
Get the latest information on the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program by signing up for email updates.
The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care. Recently, the program has made improvements to work better for families. Due to increased demand and limited funding, ERDC has a waitlist for most families applying to the program. Families with specific needs can skip the waitlist.
Stay informed about ERDC program information and resources with email updates. Messages will be sent each quarter unless there is a time sensitive update. Families, providers, and community partners can also learn more about the program by visiting the website or tracking data on the new dashboard.
Recent rule changes and updates are now in effect
New laws can require the Department of Early Learning and Care to develop or amend rules that impact children, families, child care providers, and others providing early learning services.
Recent rule changes and updates are now in effect. Read the final versions posted on the Child Care Rules page, or you can also review the Secretary of State’s Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Webpage and sort for the Department of Early Learning and Care. For questions, please contact your licensing specialist or customer service.
Thank you to the Rules Advisory Committees (RACs) who provided important input on the development of these rules.
CALLING ALL OREGON FAMILIES!
Join the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to share your ideas for our first agency strategic plan. We invite your insights on our strengths, addressing urgent needs, supporting providers, and future goals.
Register* for a zoom session and be eligible for $50 in compensation
Two Zoom sessions are being offered:
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm (English with interpretation)
Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:00 pm (Spanish Session)
To register for the January 24th session, please go to:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfu6vrTwjGJB4sGoOquFlo5Qdu1SkjGc#/registration
To register for the January 25, 2024 session, please visit:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsde6prjIpG2evJNhOCgRwMfNrVzZwWKQ#/registration
IECMH Webinar Opportunity
The Department of Early Learning and Care seeks proposals from organizations interested in becoming a center of excellence on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in Oregon.
Interested and eligible organizations are invited to submit proposals to become the Central Entity for the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program.
Please join us for this informational webinar to learn more! You can also visit the DELC blog for more information about this opportunity.
Date: January 9, 2024
Time: 2 PM PST
Click here to register: January 9th Zoom Meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
To read the full list of requirements for the Central Entity and submit a proposal, please visit oregonbuys.gov.
Reminder: CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: Micro-Center Pilot Program Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC)
During the 2023 legislative session, Senate Bill 1040 passed and requires The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to create a Micro-Center Pilot Program. The Micro-Center Pilot Program will select and work with small capacity child care programs from across the state to identify their unique barriers to licensing. The pilot will support the development of a sustainable model for micro-centers to provide affordable, high quality early learning opportunities to communities in this state.
DELC will create Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) to outline the pilot program application process, eligibility and selection criteria, and program guidelines. DELC will create a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on the proposed rules and identify financial and equity impacts related to rule implementation.
We are hoping to have additional Certified Center representatives apply to provide input on the unique barriers to licensing that effect small capacity child care centers.
DELC would also like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in the RAC:
- Directors/representatives of certified centers from across the state, particularly those representing centers with a capacity of less than 30 children.
- Parents/family members of children in these types of programs
- Registered and Certified Family Home providers
- Union Representative
- Micro-center community advocates or subject matter experts
- Representatives from culturally specific organizations working with young children
- Early Learning Hub representatives
- Tribal nation representatives
- Child Care Resource and Referral representatives
Participants will be compensated for their time and insights. The application period opens December 18, 2023 and closes January 19, 2024. There will be one RAC Meeting held Tuesday, January 30th from 3:00pm-5:00pm.
To apply for the Mico-Center Pilot Rules Advisory Committee, go to Department of Early Learning and Care : Rule Making : About Us : State of Oregon
Apply now:
- Application in English
- Aplicación en e spañol
- 中文申请
- Приложение на русском языке
- Ứng dụng bằng tiếng Việt
For questions about participation, please contact Carol Petersen carol.a.petersen@delc.oregon.gov
Reminder: Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) grant opportunity: Support families in Lincoln and Clackamas County!
Apply to provide services with a Healthy Families Oregon (HFO) home visiting grant opportunity.
The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) and the Healthy Families Oregon program are happy to announce a grant opportunity for the Lincoln County region and the Clackamas County region. This grant will support HFO home visitor services in each of these counties.
What is HFO?
HFO is an evidence-based, voluntary Home Visiting program nationally accredited by Healthy Families America (HFA). The HFO program supports the economic prosperity of Oregon by preventing child abuse and neglect, promoting healthy child development, improving family self-sufficiency, and helping parents prepare their children for kindergarten.
Who can apply?
The following types of organizations are encouraged to apply:
- Multi-purpose, not-for-profit entities with a mission and goals compatible with the goals of HFO programs;
- Single-purpose, not-for-profit entities with expertise and experience in providing HFO related services;
- State or local government entities or special governmental bodies with expertise in these types of services that have a strong track record of working with human service partners in their communities; and
- Coordinated Care Organizations that have experience operating early childhood, parent support programs within their local communities.
Visit the grant opportunities linked below to learn more about the goals of this grant, HFO Home Visiting Services, and to apply!
Lincoln County grant: https://oregonbuys.gov/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=S-58800-00008687&external=true&parentUrl=close
Clackamas County grant: https://oregonbuys.gov/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=S-58800-00008760&external=true&parentUrl=close
Reminder: Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC)
Did you know Oregon offers a tax credit to help families pay for childcare while they are working, looking for work, or attending school? The Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC) helps families with qualifying expenses—like paying for childcare at a licensed facility.
Qualified expenses must be paid by the family for care. Families must be able to prove that they paid qualified expenses to claim this credit. Proof of both the payment and a receipt from the childcare provider are required for each expense paid. Taxpayers who knowingly file a false claim for the WFHDC Credit and care providers or other individuals who knowingly assist in the filing of a false claim can be penalized.
For more information on income limits, qualifications, and instructions on how to claim the credit, see the Department of Revenue website. Help spread the word about this resource! If you’d like copies of a flyer to share this information with your clients, you can provide your address and the quantity you need to Jessica Wangler at DOR.
Reminder: Certified Child Care Center information video series
The Certified Child Care Center information video series will help Certified Child Care Center administrators and staff understand upcoming rule changes effective January 1, 2024.
You can visit DELC’s YouTube playlist Oregon Certified Child Care Center Rule Informational Series to use this resource!
Visit our YouTube page at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAB5luO3GasbPTfdsBgxf6quAICtHpDBB&si=DGNsBTGzoABM5Sba