December 2025 Department of Early Learning and Care Updates.
A Message from leadership
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This month’s update from Interim Director Carey McCann
It is hard to believe that December is upon us, with the end of the year quickly approaching. I have a few things to share in this edition of the Community Newsletter. DELC will be sharing 2025 highlights of programs and impact closer to the first of the year. Please be on the lookout!
Visiting Casita Azul
A couple of weeks ago I had to the chance to join Senator Sollman and Wendy Gibson in a site visit at Casita Azul, a new center in Hillsboro offering Spanish immersion early learning and care. It was wonderful to see how a program is leveraging private pay, Preschool Promise, and ERDC to offer services to families in their community. We were joined by their community partners from the Washington County Early Learning Hub and Community Action’s Child Care Resource & Referral and Head Start leaders for a discussion that explored the opportunities and challenges from the local, county and state perspectives. We appreciated the robust conversation and wonderful hosts.
What Am I Reading
At least monthly, I look forward to receiving an update from the RAPID Survey Project, featuring the voices of families and child care providers since April 2020. The Survey Project seeks to understand and elevate the experiences and challenges facing families and to provide timely, actionable insights that inform policies and programs. You can explore their publications – the most recent ones in November included: Hunger is Increasing Among those Who Provide Care to Young Children, and Five Years of Parent Voices.
Visiting with Head Start of Lane County
Last week, DELC staff joined the executive leadership of Head Start of Lane County, along with other local and state-level leaders, including Senator Merkley, Mayor Knudson of Eugene, and Mayor VanGordon of Springfield. This visit was an opportunity for roundtable discussions on the positive impact of Head Start in communities. It also allowed for open sharing of the challenges the program has faced. We are grateful to all who visited with us and shared the important stories of impact.
Caring Communities update
In February of 2025, DELC leadership and teams began visiting sites across Oregon as a part of the Caring Communities Tour. We would like to thank the communities below for sharing space and time this year. We appreciate our partners and their teams who coordinated visits and educational opportunities, answering our questions, and joyfully shared stories of adversity and success so DELC teams could learn more about the work that is happening in each community.
This year we have visited the following regions:
Yamhill
Eastern
Blue Mountain
Linn, Benton, Lincoln
Clackamas
Harney, Grant
Southern
Lane
We look forward to visiting more communities next year.
Legislative Days
Recently, given the forecasted decrease in state revenue for the current biennium (2025-2027), the legislature was very focused during the November Legislative Committee Days, on hearing from agencies about 2.5% and 5% reduction scenarios they were required to prepare in the event that future revenue forecasts continue to show a deficit as we enter the February 2026 legislative session.
On Tuesday, November 18, DELC leadership presented to the Ways and Means Joint Education Subcommittee. (For those interested in checking it out, DELC’s presentation starts at 1:54:00.) Committee members expressed how difficult these conversations around possible reductions are. At this time, no reduction decisions have been made by the legislature, but we will continue to work with the Legislative Fiscal Office and legislators to respond to questions and requests.
Aside from budget presentations, DELC was also invited to give two other presentations to the Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee. Child Care Licensing Director Alicia Gardiner provided an update on the Micro-Center Pilot Project. The committee shared continued interest in looking at ways to support more centralized childcare options, including by addressing local zoning and investing more in ECE programming around the state. Following the Micro-Center presentation was a presentation on Child Care Liability Insurance, a topic that is still being researched here in Oregon and by national groups.
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The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) for the revision and update of the Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines (ELKG). The selected contractor will provide expertise and support in updating the ELKG to reflect current research, policy priorities, and inclusive practices across early learning and K-3 systems.
DELC will be hosting a voluntary informational webinar for interested proposers on:
Date: December 2, 2025 Time: 10:30 am – 11:00 am Location: Virtual: Join via zoom
This session will provide an overview of the RFP, highlight key deliverables, walk through the submission process, and offer an opportunity for participants to ask clarifying questions.
Attendance is not required to submit a proposal, but it is strongly encouraged for those seeking to better understand the scope and expectations of the project.
The deadline for this application is December 22, 2025.
Please visit the DELC website to learn more about key dates for this opportunity and apply!
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The third round of Oregon’s Child Care Infrastructure Fund offers $20 million in grants, closing December 16, 2025, with technical assistance available through webinars and providers.
November 18, 2025
Business Oregon and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) are reminding communities that the third round of the Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF) will close soon. The application window closes at 4:59pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. This round includes $20 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects that support the well-being of Oregon children and families. Updated grant materials are available on Business Oregon’s website: Business Oregon : Child Care Infrastructure Program : Child Care Infrastructure Program : State of Oregon
If you have questions or need technical assistance completing the Child Care Infrastructure Program application, please contact one of the technical assistance providers below:
DELC’s Research and Policy Agenda, aligned with strategic plans, outlines five core priorities to guide research in early learning and care, fostering informed decision-making and public engagement.
November 3, 2025
A key priority from DELC’s strategic plan, Growing Oregon Together, states that DELC will use data and research to inform decisions and share these with the public. One way we fulfill this goal is in the drafting and release of DELC’s first Research and Policy Agenda, informed by and aligned with DELC’s other strategic plans, Growing Oregon Together and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan. DELC leadership and staff worked together over several months to draft the 5 core priorities and their subsequent research and evaluation questions, and we are proud to share this research and evaluation vision for the early learning and care sector with the public.
This agenda provides a roadmap for how DELC will use research and evaluation to learn how we are making progress toward our strategic goals and know what is missing. Asking and answering some of these questions can inform future strategy for our agency and drive how we partner with our research and evaluation community across the state and country.
November 2025 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
It’s hard to believe that Fall is almost over! For many young children and educators that means a new program year is well underway, and some of our littlest learners are experiencing early learning and care for the first time. October was also Head Start Awareness Month, when we honor the work Head Start has been doing to create opportunity for children and families across the nation.
Remembering Representative Hoa Nguyen
I wanted to start my message by remembering with honor and great respect the late Representative Hoa Nguyen. On October 9, the State of Oregon lost a passionate and fierce advocate for children and families in our state. Rep Nguyen was a champion for DELC and early learners; she chaired the Early Childhood and Human Services Committee and the Child Care Caucus. This Fall DELC co-organized with the Child Care Caucus a tour of childcare facilities around the state. I was in Bend on a Baby Promise site tour with Rep Nguyen’s Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Jules Walters, the morning of October 9. Rep Walters led a moment of silence, and also wrote this touching tribute to her late colleague and friend: Remembering Hoa Nguyen. OPB has also written an article in remembrance: Oregon state Rep. Hòa Nguyễn dies at 41 – OPB.
What I am Listening to this Month:
Check out the podcast Early Link by Oregon’s own Children’s Institute that is highlighting national, regional, and local voices working in the field of early care and education. In the most recent episode, Kali Thorne Ladd interviews Isabelle Hau, author of Love to Learn, an exploration of how early relationships shape the architecture of the brain and the foundation for lifelong learning. I was struck by their discussion about what it takes to fuel curiosity, resilience, and growth. Hau shares that this book is for educators, parents, grandparents, and changemakers who believe the future begins with how we care for our youngest learners.
Out and About
September and October were busy months!
In addition to the Bend Baby Promise site visit I mentioned above, I joined a group of almost 30 legislators, staff, advocates and system partners at a tour of the Gladstone Center for Children and Families, which hosts Head Start/Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten and Preschool Promise classrooms, as well as a Relief Nursery in the same complex. It was wonderful to witness how state and local investments in early learning care are making a difference in community.
September 29 – October 1st the Oregon Legislature convened for interim legislative committee days. During Legislative Days, committees hold informational hearings on topics that may lead to future legislation, hear updates on bill implementation, listen to reports from state agencies and Task Forces, and keep current on emerging issues affecting Oregonians.
Changes at the federal level were top of mind for legislators during committee days. On Monday, September 29, DELC’s Early Learning Programs Director, Dorothy Spence, and I presented to the House Early Childhood Human Services Committee alongside Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) staff at a hearing on the impacts of HR 1 – the massive tax bill passed by Congress in July. ODHS spoke about how HR 1 will impact those who participate in Oregon’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program. We spoke about the impacts of federal changes on Oregon families and the early childhood education workforce, challenges experienced by local Head Start programs, and future actions we will be watching closely. Click here to view the agenda and watch a recording of the presentation.
On Wednesday, October 1st, newly-appointed Early Learning Council (ELC) Chair Liz Farrar Campbell presented to the Senate Interim Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health. Chair Farrar Campbell introduced the committee to the ELC and its current priorities. To view the presentation, click here. Many thanks to Early Learning Council Administrator Gaby Hernandez, who developed the presentation and represented DELC at the committee hearing.
Speaking of the Early Learning Council, on October 20-22 I attended the Council’s annual retreat in Salem. The retreat brought together council members, community partners, parents, home visitors and regional leaders from Early Learning Hubs and CCR&Rs to share their efforts in child care. The Council also hosted a reception with legislators, community leaders, advocates, and champions – an inspiring evening that reaffirmed collective dedication in the work we all do for Oregon’s youngest children and their families. The final day of the retreat consisted of updates from DELC and our agency partners in Raise Up Oregon – the Oregon Health Authority, the Departments of Education and Human Services, along with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, sharing their early childhood focus for the upcoming year. Johnna Timmes, Governor Tina Kotek’s Education Advisor, concluded the retreat by joining the Council to discuss the importance of maintaining a strong focus on young children and families across the state.
Update Regarding Federal Government Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown continues, our update is similar to what we shared last month. DELC continues to not anticipate immediate disruptions to services and operations. At this time, programs remain operational, and we have not had problems drawing down federal funds in October. We will continue to monitor the situation.
For contracts that receive federal funding, we are working in close coordination with the Governor’s office to continually assess and mitigate any potential impacts. Grantees can reach out to their grant administrator or DELC contact with questions or concerns. We recognize that the ongoing federal uncertainty can be distressing. We are here to help navigate this situation and as always — we recognize and appreciate your work.
Tribal Heritage Month
In this month of November, we proudly join in celebrating Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and uplift the enduring cultures, histories, and contributions of Tribal Nations. As a part of that celebration, we want to highlight the historical milestone of Oregon’s Tribal Early Learning Plan.
On October 8, the 2025 Tribal-State Government to Government Summit was held at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in Coos Bay co-hosted by the Coquille Indian Tribe. During a morning bill signing ceremony “From Words to Actions” Governor Kotek recognized legislative advancements in early learning. HB 2815, the Tribal Early Learning Plan puts Tribal sovereignty and self-determination at the forefront. Ensuring that the nine federally recognized Tribes within Oregon’s borders hold the ability to focus on initiatives most relevant for their Nations, the creation of a Tribal Early Learning Fund allows Tribes flexible funding access for early learning resources and strengthens Oregon’s government-to-government relationships.
You can read more about the 2025 Tribal-State Government to Government Summit in the blog posts below.
Supporting Oregon’s immigrant families, workforce and children
Recent events, including the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demonstrations in Portland, are affecting Oregonians in different ways. We have also heard heightened concerns from providers about ICE presence near Oregon childcare facilities in recent weeks. All families should feel safe in their communities, and while we at DELC can do to prevent this from happening, I wanted to reiterate DELC’s commitment to upholding our responsibilities under Oregon sanctuary laws.
Oregon is a Sanctuary State and Governor Tina Kotek has made it clear that these laws have been on the books since the 1980s and exist because the state believes that immigrants are integral to the culture and success of Oregon. State law prohibits state and local government agencies, including law enforcement, from using public resources to enforce federal immigration laws without a signed judicial warrant. This means that everyone in Oregon should be able to live, work, attend school, report crimes and access public services without fear of being reported to ICE by state or local officials. If you believe these laws are being violated, please report it to the Sanctuary Promise Violations Hotline at 1-844-924-STAY (1-844-924-7829). Operators are standing by 9am to 5pm, Monday – Friday with interpreters in over 240 languages. The Oregon Department of Justice offers an online Justice Sanctuary Promise Guidance webpage with helpful resources for employees and communities, including: Community Toolkit, Information for Public Schools, and Outreach Materials and Media. In addition to these resources, DELC has also shared the following two resources with our programs and partners geared for providers in September:
We are also monitoring the federal government shutdown closely. November SNAP food benefits are delayed due to the federal shutdown. Benefits will be issued after funding resumes. We know this is difficult for families who rely on food assistance programs.
If families have any unused SNAP funds on their EBT cards from previous months, those funds will rollover and can be used by families after November 1, 2025. The shutdown means that November’s allocation will not be added.
OHA also continues to monitor federal legislative developments and their impacts on WIC funding as the government shutdown continues. At this time, the federal government provided funding for Oregon’s WIC program to continue into November. This includes services such as enrollment, breastfeeding support and connection to community services. WIC offices are open. However, funding for the food benefit (EBT) is only through November 15.
Free and reduced price school meals will still be available. The shutdown is not currently impacting the National School Lunch Program.
During the month of November, we will use our social media and blog posts to update any changes around food access. In the meantime, please see these community resources from ODHS if you are looking for resources near you:
Here’s what you can do:
Check your EBT balance. Any unused SNAP benefits will stay available after Nov. 1, 2025
If SNAP benefits are delayed, ODHS will announce it through the media and our websites. We will not send a letter. For fast updates, sign up for a ONE Online account or download the Oregon ONE Mobile app.
If the federal government shutdown extends into November, Oregonians may face delays in SNAP benefits, affecting 757,000 individuals. ODHS provides resources and updates for assistance.
November 3, 2025
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, Oregonians are already experiencing delays in SNAP benefits, affecting approximately 757,000 individuals including children, older adults, and working families. ODHS continues to provide resources and updates for those seeking assistance.
We understand this news may feel stressful. Food benefits are important and delays are hard. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is working to keep people informed and will share updates as soon as more is known.
Sign-up for an ONE Online account and downloading the Oregon ONE Mobile app at benefits.oregon.gov to get updates about your SNAP case
Know where to find local food resources if you need them.
Visit the ODHS Food Resources web page to find local programs and food support.
Contact 211info by dialing 2-1-1, texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or visiting http://www.211info.org.
Older adults and people with disabilities: Connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) for help finding government and community resources. Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit http://www.adrcoforegon.org.
We know this may be a difficult time. You are not alone, and there are resources and support available to help.
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Governor Kotek signs HB 2815, establishing the Tribal Early Learning Plan, enhancing Tribal sovereignty and providing flexible funding for early learning initiatives within Oregon’s Tribal Nations.
Governor Kotek signs HB 2815. Pictured above from left to right, front row: Representative Tawna Sanchez (Shoshone-Bannock, Ute), Dana Castano, DELC (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), Marsha Frost (Coquille Indian Tribe), Becky Cantrell (Coquille Indian Tribe); back row; Senate President Rob Wagner, Cooper Brown, DELC, Tribal Council Secretary-Treasurer Jackie Chambers (Coquille Indian Tribe)
November 3, 2025
In this month of November, we proudly join in celebrating Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and uplift the enduring cultures, histories, and contributions of Tribal Nations. As a part of that celebration, we want to highlight the historical milestone of Oregon’s Tribal Early Learning Plan.
On October 8, the 2025 Tribal-State Government to Government Summit was held at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort in Coos Bay co-hosted by the Coquille Indian Tribe. During a morning bill signing ceremony “From Words to Actions” Governor Kotek recognized legislative advancements in early learning. HB 2815, the Tribal Early Learning Plan puts Tribal sovereignty and self-determination at the forefront. Ensuring that the nine federally recognized Tribes within Oregon’s borders hold the ability to focus on initiatives most relevant for their Nations, the creation of a Tribal Early Learning Fund allows Tribes flexible funding access for early learning resources and strengthens Oregon’s government-to-government relationships.
You can read more about the 2025 Tribal-State Government to Government Summit here:
