Tag: CCU-January-2026

DELC on Social: January Highlights

As we wrap up January, we’re taking a moment to look back at some highlights we shared on our social media channels throughout the month. If you haven’t already, we invite you to follow us on social media!

As we wrap up January, we’re taking a moment to look back at some highlights we shared on our social media channels throughout the month. If you haven’t already, we invite you to follow us on social media! It’s one of the easiest ways to stay up to date on child care resources, early learning news, and opportunities to get involved.

🔗 Follow us: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Check out the latest edition of DELC’s Community Newsletter!

IN THIS ISSUE: 

  • Message from our Interim Director
  • Office of Tribal Affairs announces updated Tribal webpage

Click the link below to explore the latest issue of DELC’s Community Newsletter and Child Care Update. Don’t miss out—subscribe today to have these updates delivered straight to your inbox twice a month! https://delcnews.org/child-care-update/

Today, we honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing the work of building a more just and equitable future—starting with our youngest learners. Access to quality early learning and care lays the foundation for lifelong opportunity, equity, and belonging. #MLKDay #EarlyLearning #EquityInEducation

Repost from Oregon Department of Education:

Help Feed Kids This Summer: Schools and Community Organizations Needed to Offer Meals Through the Summer Food Service Program

Read the release: 

https://content.govdelivery.com/…/ORED/bulletins/40444ef

Repost from United Way of the Columbia-Willamette:
STEAM activities are a great way to create an accessible, supportive space where families play and learn together. Our Early Learning Washington County hub had a blast hosting 𝟯𝟭 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 and 𝟵𝟬+ 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 for a day of hands-on STEAM learning! 

A special thank you to our Parent Accountability Council members who provided individualized social and emotional learning support, ensuring sensory needs were met and transitions were smooth for our little explorers. 

Shout-out to Hillsboro School District , IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization , Healthy Families, and Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care /Preschool Promise for helping us connect with our community for this event!

Repost from Oregon Department of Human Services:

We’ve seen some people are concerned about food benefits if the federal government enters another partial shutdown. We want you to know – your ODHS benefits, services and supports, including SNAP, will not be impacted in February 2026.

SNAP is currently funded through September 2026. February 2026 SNAP benefits will go out like normal in Oregon.

January 2026 Community Newsletter

January 2026 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates.

A Message from leadership

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.

This month’s update from Interim Director Carey McCann

Happy New Year! Before looking forward to the year ahead, please check out some of the highlights from 2025 that gave us inspiration. We are looking forward to Director Alyssa Chatterjee returning later this month!

On Friday, we sent out a special message to provide some clarity around federal funding related to child care and provider safety. If you missed that message please read it on our blog. We will continue monitoring these reports and will provide updates as they become available.

December Site Visits

In December, DELC staff attended two site visits to show legislators how state dollars are working for Oregon families.

On December 10, the Oregon Association of Relief Nurseries hosted a visit to Lifeworks NW Children’s Relief Nursery in Hillsboro with Senator Sollman and Representative Hai Pham’s chief of staff. Lifeworks staff Denise and Erin gave a tour of the facility and explained the host of services offered to families, from early learning and literacy, to peer support, transportation, respite, and assistance meeting essential needs. The visit really highlighted how each relief nursery in Oregon is designed to serve the unique needs of their community, and how life-changing these services can be for children and their families. We even got visit with some kiddos on the playground and meet the pet worms they unearthed from a nearby mud pile.

On December 15, we visited El Trenecito/The Little Train Family Child Care Center in Beaverton, along with Senator Sollman, Representative Ruiz, Early Learning Council Chair Liz Farrar Campbell, and Council member Ruby Ramirez. Owners Sandra and Miguel were consummate hosts, providing fresh pastries, cookies, and coffee for the group. They demonstrated the unique experience offered by family child care providers serving families from infancy to kindergarten, and shared many of the financial challenges and regularity barriers facing child care providers. El Trenecito was also a Child Care Infrastructure Fund recipient, so the visit included a tour of the beautiful new outdoor play area and structure now offering children a dry place to play during rainy days, and shade from the sun in the summer.

Preschool Development Grant Update

In late November, the federal government announced an opportunity for states to apply for a 12-month Preschool Development Grant focused on early childhood system-building, with seven working days and a Thanksgiving holiday to accommodate, Oregon submitted a proposal on Monday, December 1st, and after several uncertain weeks, DELC received an award for approximately $7.3 million in federal funding. This competitive award is intended to enhance and align existing early childhood education (ECE) infrastructure, with a specific focus on unifying fragmented systems, continuing to develop a shared, comprehensive vision for early childhood education, and maximizing parental choice as families navigate the ECE landscape.

More information will be coming soon early in the year!

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Office of Tribal Affairs Announces Updated Tribal Webpage

DELC’s Office of Tribal Affairs has updated its webpage to include details about the Tribal Early Learning Plan, Guidelines, and the new Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance.

January 5, 2026

DELC’s Office of Tribal Affairs has upgraded the former Tribal Advisory Committee webpage to the Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance to reflect the recently passed legislation- the Tribal Early Learning Plan and Fund (HB 2815). The upgraded webpage includes Guiding Principles for Tribal Early Learning and Care, information about HB 2815, and details on the new advisory body established by the bill- the Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA). The advisory body is currently forming, and work will soon begin to create the new statewide early learning and care plan for Tribal children.

Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance Webpage

You can expect to see this page grow and improve over the coming months as progress continues. We invite you to stay connected by signing up for our monthly Office of Tribal Affairs Newsletter at the following link:

Tribal Affairs Newsletter

Paulina Whitehat, Interim Tribal Affairs Director, paulina.whitehat@delc.oregon.gov

Dana Castano, Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance (OTELA) Liaison, dana.castano@delc.oregon.gov

Dorianne Houser, Tribal Affairs Coordinator, dorianne.houser@delc.oregon.gov

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