The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care ...
Transcript of The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care ...
A report submitted by the Early Learning Division to the Legislative
Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Child Care
December 2019
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon
Table of Contents
I. Introduction to Purpose of Child Care and Essential Issues of Access, Affordability, Quality and Supply .......................................... 1 Cost of child care for parents .................................................................4 Compensationofproviders ...................................................................4 Supply of child care ................................................................................4 Impact of quality ....................................................................................5
II. Overview of Key Components of Oregon’s Early Care and Education Subsidy Programs .............................................................. 6
III. Administration ................................................................................... 9
IV. Funding ............................................................................................... 9 Over70%ofOregon’sEarlyCareandEducationisfinanced directly by parents .................................................................................9 Oregon’spublicinvestmentdrawsheavilyonfederalrevenue ..........10
V. Eligibility and Children Served ......................................................... 12 ERDC .....................................................................................................12 ERDCpolicychoices .............................................................................15 EligibilityforPreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStart Pre-Kindergarten/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStartandBabyPromise .....16
VI. Parental Copayments ....................................................................... 18 ERDC .....................................................................................................18 Copaymentsforotherearlycareandeducationprograms ................18
VII. Who Delivers Services and Hours of Operation .............................. 19 Providertypesandtypicalhoursofoperations ..................................19 Childcarelicensingandregulation ......................................................20 Additionalprogramstandards .............................................................21
VIII. Rate Setting and Payment Mechanisms for Programs .................... 22 ERDCPaymentRates ............................................................................22 ProviderratesforPreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStart Prekindergarten/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStartandBabyPromise ......23 PaymentMechanisms ..........................................................................23
IX. Professional Development and Approach to Quality ...................... 24 Workforceoverview .............................................................................24 ChildCareResource&ReferralAgencies,theOregonRegistry andSpark .............................................................................................27 AdditionalSupportforQualityImprovementand professionaldevelopment ...................................................................28
Endnotes ................................................................................................... 28
The Early Learning Division is submitting the follow report to the legislative Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Child Care as instructed by HB 2346. This report is the first of three reports that are due to the Task Force and covers the current programs, policies, funding, and populations served by child care subsidies in Oregon. The report also addresses the professional development opportunities, accreditation and licensing standards and recruitment efforts for child care providers.i
i TheEarlyLearningDivisionisworkingwiththeOregonStateUniversityOregonChildCareResearchPartnershiptoconducttheadditionaltwostudiesrequiredunderHB2346:(1) Study and prepare a report on the supply ofanddemandforchildcarebygeographyandhouseholddemographicinformation,includingage,raceandethnicityandlanguagespokeninthe home.(2) Study and prepare a report on the barriers to accessingexistingchildcaresubsidies,includingconductingvoluntaryinterviewsorsurveysoffamiliesthathaveaccessedchildcaresubsidiesinthepast,familiesthataccesschildcaresubsidiespresentlyandchildcarecaseworkersorproviderswhohaveassistedfamilieswithaccessingchildcaresubsidies.ReportsonthesetwostudiesareduetotheTaskForceonJune30,2020.
I. Introduction to Purpose of Child Care and Essential Issues of Access, Affordability, Quality and Supply
ChildcareplaystwocentralrolesforOregon’sfamilies:itenablesfamiliestoworkandsupportstheearlylearningandschoolreadinessofyoungchildren.
Is there a difference between child care and early care and education?
Theearlychildhoodcommunitydoesnotmakeadistinctionbetweenchildcareandearlycareandeducation.EarlyCareandEducationencompassesnonparentalcarebirthtokindergartenentry,aswellasbeforeandafterschoolcarethroughage12.Earlycareandeducationencompassesthecarethatoccursoutsideachild’shome,includingchildcarecenters,familychildcarehomes,preschoolprograms,andHeadStart/EarlyHeadStartprograms.
Inthisreport,thetwotermsareusedlargelyinterchangeably.Whentheterm“childcare”isused,itwillmostlybeusedtorefertoearlycareandeducationprogramsthatareprimarilyfinancedbyparent’stuitionorparentalfees.
Family, Friend and Neighbor Care, Small
and Large Family Child Care Homes
Head Start Centers
Early Care & Education is delivered across a variety of settings. This is why it is known as “mixed-delivery” system.
Child Care Centers, Community-Based Organizations, Including
Culturally-Specific Organizations Public Schools
YetOregon’scurrentsystemofearlycareandeducationisfailingtomeeteitheroftheseneeds.Familiesacrossthestatestruggletofindstable,qualitychildcarethatmeettheirneedsandwhentheycanfindit,itisoftenatacostthatimposesincrediblefinancialburdenonoftenalreadyoverburdenedfamilies.Oregonbusinessesarealsoreportingtheimpactofqualitychildcareontheirbottomline,astheystruggletofindemployeesorastheeffectofunstable,lowqualitychildcarearrangementscausesworkerstomissdaysandloseproductivity.
Altogether,thesechallengeshaveadirectandlastingimpactonchildren.Familiesareoftenforcedtosettleforlower-qualityearlychildhoodexperiences,ortomovechildrenfromonecarearrangementtothenext,underminingtheattachmentsbetweenchildrenandcaregiversthataresoimportantfordevelopmentandsocial-emotionalhealth.Andwhilehigh-qualityearlycareandeducationprogramshelpchildrendevelopthesocial-emotional,languageandcognitiveskillsthatwillhelpthemsucceedinschool,low-qualitycaredoesnothavetheselastingpositiveoutcomesandhasbeenassociatedwithnegativeimpactsonbehavior.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20191
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20192
Accesstoquality,affordableearlycareandeducationisanissueofequity.Zipcode,incomeandrace/ethnicityarepowerfulpredictorsofwhetherchildrenandtheirfamiliesexperienceconditionsthatareoptimalforyoungchildren’sdevelopment,includingaccesstohigh-qualityearlycareandeducation.Breakingthelinkbetweentheseinheritedfactorsandlifeoutcomescanonlyhappenifwechangethecircumstancesoffamilies,whichmeanschangingthedistributionofopportunities.Acrossthecountry,familieswithhigherincomesparticipateinearlycareandeducationprogramsathigherratesandinvestmoreintheseprograms.DisparitiesinaccesstohighqualityearlycareandeducationcontributetothedisparitiesinoutcomesandopportunitiesthatareseeninK-12.Closingthegapsinaccesstoearlycareandeducationwillensurethatmorechildrenarriveatkindergartenreadytosucceed.
Figure 1. Equity and Access
Accesstoearlycareandeducationisanequityissue
Zip Code, income,andrace/ethnicityarepowerfulpredictorsofachildandfamily’saccesstohigh-qualityearlycareandeducation
Figure 2. Oregon children under five: percent of population and percent in poverty by racial/ethnic group
Thereareover236,000childreninOregonundertheageoffive,withalmosthalfofthosechildrenlivinginlow-incomefamiliesearninglessthan200%oftheFederalPovertyLine(FPL),$42,660forafamilyofthree.
Racial and economic disparities emerge early.
% of population % in poverty
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian Black Multi WhiteNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Hispanic
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20193
Figure 3. Income distribution for Oregon families with children under 5
Nearlytwothirdsofchildreneitherhavebothparentsorasingleparentemployed.iForthesefamilies,earlycareandeducationisanecessity;formanyofthesefamiliesnopublicresourcesareavailabletounderwritefamilypaymentsortosupportearlycareandeducationprogramquality.Recentresearchdemonstratesthataccesstostable,affordablequalitychildcare,inadditiontothepositiveimpactsonschoolreadiness,alsoincreaseslaborforceparticipationofwomenandincreasestheearningsofwomenoveralifetime.ii
Thefirstfiveyearsoflifeareaperiodofrapidbraindevelopmentandtheexperiencesthatchildrenreceiveduringthiscriticalperiodhavealifetimeimpact.Thus,children’searlycareandeducationhasaprofoundimpactonchildren’sdevelopmentandtheiracquisitionofsocial-emotional,languageandcognitiveskills,allofwhicharecriticaltotheirschoolandlifesuccess.
Figure 4. Synapse formation in the developing brain
Accesstoearlycareandeducationisnotenough.Thequalityofearlycareandeducationmatters.Researchdemonstratesthequalityofcareimpactschilddevelopmentandschoolreadiness.Thisistrueforinfantsandtoddlers,aswellaspreschoolers.Earlycareandeducationprofessionalswhohaveaknowledgeofchildren’ssocial-emotional,language,andcognitivedevelopment,andareabletoprovidechildrenwithwarm,supportiveandresponsiveinteractionsthatmeetthemattheirstageofdevelopment,andsupporttheirincreasedcompetenceinthesekeysareas,promotemorepositiveoutcomesandincreasethelikelihoodthatchildrenwillsucceedinschool.
The science of child development underscores the importance of the first 2,000 days of childhood.
Source:AjayChaudry,ChristinaWeilandandTarynMorrissey.“Acomprehensiveplanforbirth-to-fiveearlychildhoodcareandeducationservicesinOregon.”September2019.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20194
Inorderforearlycareandeducationtobothsupportfamilies’abilitytoworkandtopromotepositivechilddevelopment,itmustbeaccessibleandaffordable,available,andofhighquality.Parentsneedchildcarethatisaccessible:itmustbeconvenientlylocatedtowheretheyliveandwork,fittheirworkschedule,andberesponsivetotheirhomelanguageandculture.Familiesneedtobeabletoaffordit.Thesupplyofchildcaremustbesufficientsothatthereareenoughchildcareslotsforeachagetomeetthedemandofparents.Parentsalsowantchildcarethatishighquality,safe,healthy,culturally/linguisticallyresponsive,andsupportsthedevelopmentoftheir child.
However,therealityinOregonandacrossthenationisthatchildcarecoststoomuchforparents;paystoolittletoproviders;isoftenoftoolowquality;andevenwhenparentscanaffordit,theyhavetroublefindingit.
Cost of child care for parentsAccordingtothe2018ChildCareMarketRateStudyfromOregonStateUniversity,themedianmonthlypriceofchildcareforapreschoolagechildwas$870andforaninfant$1,211.Atanannualizedpriceof$14,532,thecostoffull-timecareforaninfantsignificantlyexceedsthe$10,366chargedbyOregonStateUniversityforin-statetuition.Whiletherearewidevariationsinthepriceofchildcarebetweenregionsandwithinmarkets,thefinancialburdenonfamiliesisreal.Childcarecanoftenbethesinglelargesthouseholdexpense,evensurpassingthecostofhousing.
Table 1. Monthly child care and housing costs in Oregon
Monthly Median Income – 2 Parent Household $4,512
Child Care (averagecostperinfant–centerpermonth)
$1,211
Housing (FairMarket2-bedroomaptpermonth)
$1,028
Food (USDA“low-cost”foodplanpermonth)
$700
Remaining available $1,573
For a family making median income with just 1 infant in care, child care, housing, and food costs are nearly 70% of the monthly household budget.
Compensation of providersWhilethecostofchildcareistoohighformanyfamilies,childcareremainsafinanciallyprecariousbusinesswithlowprofitmarginsandlowwagesforchildcareproviders.Themedianwageforanearlycareandeducationteacherworkinginacenterrangesbetween$12and$17.05perhour.iiiHomebasedproviderstypicallyearnfarless.Aconsequenceoflowprofitmarginsandlowwagesishighturnover.Eachyear,asignificantnumberofearlycareandeducationbusinessesshuttheirdoorsandprovidersleavethefield.AccordingtoestimatesfromOregonStateUniversity,oneoffourmembersoftheearlycareandeducationworkforceleavestheprofessioneachyear.Thishighturnoverratedisruptscontinuityofcareforchildren,forcesfamiliestoscrambletofindnewarrangementsandcontributestotheoveralldeficitinthesupplyofchildcare.Thelowlevelsofcompensationalsohaveanegativeimpactonquality,makingitmorechallengingtoencourageadditionaltrainingoreducation,especiallywhentheadditionaltrainingandeducationwillnotbematchedwithcommensurateincreases in salaries.
Supply of child careOregon’sfamilies,businessesandcommunitiesarereportingashortageintheavailabilityofchildcare,particularlycareforinfantsandtoddlers.ArecentstudyfromOregonStateUniversityconfirmsthesereportsiv Usingthenationallyadopteddefinitionofachildcaredesertasanyareawithfewerthanoneregulatedearlycareandeducationslotforeverythreechildren,theOSUresearchersmappedthesupplyofchildcareacrossOregon.Forallchildrenundertheageoffive,theyfoundthatonlyninecountiesinOregondidnotmeetthedefinitionofachildcaredesert,andeverycountyinOregonwasadesertforinfantandtoddlercare,withfewerthanonechildcareslotforeveryeightinfantsand toddlers in the state.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20195
Map 1. Percent of Oregon Young Children with Access to Regulated Child Care Slot by Age
0-2 year olds
3-5 year olds
0-2yearoldsincludeschildrenbirththroughage2.
3-5yearoldsincludeschildren3throughtheendofage5.
Slotsaredefinedasregulatedchildcareslots,includingCertifiedCenters,CertifiedFamily,andRegisteredFamilyProviders.
Data sources: Access to child care is calculated by taking the Estimated Supply of Child Care in Oregon as of January 2018 (Analysis by Oregon Child Care Research Partnership, Oregon State University using data collected by 211 and the CCR&R system), and dividing it by the population of children in the county who fall in the age group (2017 Annual Population Report Tables, Portland State University Population Research Center).
Impact of QualityWith90%ofbraindevelopmenttakingplacebeforetheageoffive,thequalityofearlyexperiencesmatter.High-qualitycareprovidesdevelopmentallyappropriateexperiencethatareinteractiveandstimulatelearning.Childrenwhoparticipateinhigh-qualitycarehavefewerbehavioralissuesandperformbetterinschool.Low-qualitycarehasbeenassociatedwithnegativeimpactonchildren’sdevelopmentandbehavior.MuchofthechildcareintheUnitedStateshasbeenevaluatedasbeingofmediumorlowquality.vThequalityofcareisinsignificantpartaresourceissue.Lowwagesresultinhighturnoveranddiscourageinvestmentsinprofessionaldevelopmentandeducation.Childcareprogramsoftenhavelimitedaccesstotechnicalassistanceandprofessionaltrainingthatsupportsthepracticeofcontinuousqualityimprovement.
II. Overview of Key Components of Oregon’s Early Care and Education Subsidy Programs
HouseBill2346requirestheprovisionofinformationonseveralkeycomponentsofOregon’schildcaresubsidyprograms.Therearefiveprimarysubsidyprograms:EmploymentRelatedDayCare(ERDC),PreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten(OPK)/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStart,andBabyPromise–discussedinthisreport.
ERDC:TheEmploymentRelatedDayCareprogram(ERDC)isthelargestprograminOregonprovidingsubsidestoparentstooffsetthecostofchildcareservinganaverageof7,385familiesand14,890childreneachmonth.vi TANF andtheJOBSprogramalsoprovidesubsidesforchildcarefortheirparticipantstosupporttraining,educationandjobsearchactivities.ERDCoperatesasafederal/statepartnershipwhosepurposeistoimprovechildoutcomesand support parental employment. Federal dollars come intheformofablockgrantthroughtheChildCareandDevelopmentFundthatprovidesstatestheabilitytoshapeachildcaresubsidyprogramtofitstateneeds.Stateshavekeypolicyleverswithwhichtheydeterminewhogetsservedwithwhattypesofservicesandforhowlong.
Preschool Promiseisahigh-qualitymixeddeliverypreschoolprogramfundedbythestate.Itisdeliveredthroughelementaryschools,HeadStartprograms,reliefnurseries,licensedcenterandhome-basedchildcareprograms,educationservicedistricts,andcommunitybasedorganizations.ThePreschoolPromiseprogramservesapproximately1,300of40,000eligiblechildrenages3to4,whosefamilieshaveincomesupto200%oftheFederalPovertyLevel.Nearly25%ofslotsaredeliveredthroughK-12schoolsandHeadStartgrantees.Providersoffercomprehensivepreschoolserviceswithinstructionalhoursequivalenttofull-daykindergarten.Comprehensiveservicesincludechildlevelassessments,parent/teacherconferences,screeningsandreferralstoconnect children and families to community resources. All programsmustfollowresearch-basedstandardsthatareassociatedwithpositiveoutcomesforchildren.
Oregon Head Start Pre-Kindergarten (OPK)isastatewideprogrambasedonthefederalHeadStartmodelthatservesapproximately8,000ofthe20,000eligiblechildren,inadditiontothenearly4,000servedbyfederalHeadStartfunds.TheOregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten(OPK)providespreschooleducation,childhealthand
nutrition,andfamilysupportservicesthroughoutthestatetochildrenagesthreetofiveyearsinfamiliesatorbelow100percentofthefederalpovertylevel.OPKisdeliveredthroughavarietyofgranteesincludingschools,non-profits,andinstitutionsofhighereducation.Thepurposeoftheprogramistoprovidechildrenwiththeskillsnecessarytobesuccessfulinschool,assistfamiliesinunderstandingtheneedsoftheirchildren,andencouragefamiliestobeinvolvedintheirchild’seducation.Childrenandfamiliesarereferredtoandhelpedwithobtaininghealth,dentalandmentalhealthandothersocialservices.OPK/HeadStartisavailableinall36countiesinOregonwith21programsreceivingfederalandstatefundsandsevenprogramsreceivingstatefundsonly.
Early Head Start (EHS) isthebirthtoagethreecompanionprogramtoHeadStart.EHSprovidescomprehensiveservicestochildrenunderagethreeandexpectantmotherslivingatorbelowthefederalpovertylevel.Theservicesareacriticallinkforchildrentogainnecessaryskillstobesuccessfulinschool,toassistfamiliesinunderstandingtheneedsoftheirchildren,andtoencouragefamiliestobeinvolvedintheirchild’seducation.Theprogramsprovideservicesfocusedonthewholechild,includingearlyeducationaddressingcognitive,developmental,andsocio-emotionalneeds;medicalanddentalscreeningsandreferrals;nutritionalservices;mentalhealthservices;parentengagementactivities;andreferralstosocialserviceprovidersfortheentirefamily.Currently,thereare2,217enrolledslots,64ofwhicharefundedbythestate.
Baby Promiseisanewstrategytohelpstabilizeandbuildthesupplyofqualitycareforinfantsandtoddlers.WorkingwithChildCareResource&ReferralAgencies(CCR&Rs),thestatewillcontractdirectlywithprovidersforcareforinfantsandtoddlersfromfamiliesearninglessthan200%FPL.Thesecontractswillbebasedontherealcostofprovidingqualityinfantandtoddlercareandhelp
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20196
providefinancialstabilityforproviders,reducingturnoverinthefield.BabyPromiseproviderswillparticipateinprofessionaldevelopmentfocusedonthecareofinfantsandtoddlersandreceivesupportstostrengthenbusinesspractices.ThreeCCR&Rswereselectedforthepilotandwillbeworkingwith42providerstoserve230children.LikePreschoolPromise,thefullrangeoflicensedearlycareandeducationprograms,includingfamilychildcarehomes,childcarecentersandEarlyHeadStartgrantees,willbeeligibletoparticipateinBabyPromise.Duringthe2019session,theOregonLegislaturepassedHB2024whichprovidesapermanentstatutoryframeworkforBabyPromise.
The Oregon Student Child Care Grant Programwasestablishedtoassistparentsenrolledinpostsecondaryeducationobtainsafe,dependablecarethatsupportstheirchildren’sdevelopmentwhileattendingapost-secondaryeducationinstitution.Oregonresidentundergraduateswithachildorlegaldependent12yearsofageandunderorifoverage12,withcircumstancesrequiringdependentcareareeligible.Students(theparent)mustbeattendingschoolfulltime.Grantfundsaredistributedtothestudentbythepost-secondaryinstitutionaspartofthefinancialaidpackage.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytopaythechildcareprovider.Duringthe2017-19biennium,$950,544wasallocatedforthisgrantprogram,enabling83studentstoreceivestudentchildcaregrantduring2018-19academicyear.Thegrantprogramhistoricallyrunsoutoffundsandcannotservethenumberofstudentswhosubmitapplicationsandqualify.(Because this is a grant directly to the student, it is not included in the chart below.)
Table3introducesthesekeycomponentsofadministration,funding,child/familyeligibility,childrenserved,parentdelivery,providers,licensing,generalhoursofoperation,ratesetting,andproviderfinancingmechanism.Thefollowingsectionsofthereportprovidemoredetailedinformation.Additionally,HouseBill2346specifiesinclusionofinformationonprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesandrecruitmentofearlycareandeducationproviders.ThisinformationisdiscussedinSectionIX.
The Student Success Act: A historic investment in early care & education
TheStudentSuccessActcreatesanewEarlyLearningAccounttofundinvestmentsfocusedonchildrenundertheageoffiveandtheirfamilies:$200millionperyear(oratleast20%oftheoverallSSAinvestmentof$1billion)willserve15,000childrenbirthtofiveyearsoldincludinginthefollowingways:
Table 2. Use of Student Success Act for early care and education
ECE Program Purpose FundingChildren Served
OregonPrekindergarten(OPK):EarlyHeadStart(PN-3)
•Providehigh-qualityinfant/toddlereducationtochildreninpoverty(<$26K/yearforafamilyof4)
$22.3 1,189
OPK:HeadStart(3-5)
•ExpandexistingOPKslotstobefull-day,includeteachersalaries,andduration
•Providehigh-qualitypre-kindergartentochildreninpoverty
•Providecomprehensivehealth,nutrition,andothersupportstochildrenandfamiliesinpoverty
$44.4Upto2,658
PreschoolPromise(3-5)•Providehigh-qualitypre-kindergartentochildreninlow-incomefamilies
$30.8 2,565
Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20197The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon
Table 3. Overview of Oregon’s early care and education subsidy programs
Early Care & Education Subsidy Programs in Oregon (2019-2021 biennium)
Employment Related Day Care
(ERDC)Preschool Promise
Oregon Head Start Pre-Kindergarten (OPK)/
Head Start
Early Head Start
Baby Promise
Administration DHS ELD ELD ELD ELD
Funding All dollar amounts in millions
$66.5(state)
$116.3(federal)$37.1(state)*
$156.4(state)*
$122.4(federal)
$1.7(state)*
$64.2(federal$11(federal)
Who’s eligible
Childrenthroughage12withworkingparentswithincomebelow185%FPL
Three-andfour-yearchildren from families withincomesbelow200%FPL
Three-andfour-yearchildrenfromfamilieswithincomesbelowtheFPL
Expectantmothers and children under theageofthreefrom families withincomesbelowFPL
Children under theageofthreefromfamilieswithincomebelow200%FPL
Children served 14,890 1,300*
12,500
8,100(state)*
4,400(federal)
2,217
64(state)*
2,139(federal)
230–projected for 2020
Percent eligible served 15% 3.25%* 62.5%* 8%* N.A.–in pilot phase
Parent Copayment? Yes No No No No
Who can deliver services?
• Family members• Licensed-exempt
providers• Licensedchildcare
family homes and centers
• Licensedchildcarefamily homes and centers
• OPKproviders&federalHeadStartgrantees
• Publicschools
• federalHeadStartgrantee• stateOPKgrantee
• federalHeadStartgrantee
• stateOPKgrantee
• Licensedchildcare family homes and centers
• OPKproviders&federalHeadStartgrantees
• Publicschools
When is a child care license not required?
• Family members orcaringforthreeoffewerunrelatedchildren
• Servicesofferedbygovernmentagency
• Schoolageandpreschoolprogramsoperatingfourorfewerhoursperday
• Servicesofferedbygovernmentagency
• Servicesofferedbygovernmentagency
• Preschoolprogramsoperatingfourorfewerhours per day
• Servicesofferedbygovernmentagency
• Servicesofferedbygovernmentagency
General hours of operation
Mostprovidersoperate full year and hours that meet needs toworkingparents(e.g.,7am–6pm).There are some providerswhoalsoprovideevening,nightandweekendcare.
Equivalentofkindergartenschoolday and school year hours
• ThestandardOPK/HeadStart hours are minimum of 3.5hoursperdayand160days per year
• SomeOPK/HeadStartcontractwithERDCforextendedhoursanddays
• Student Success Act Funds includeresourcesforOPKprogramstoextendtheirhoursofduration
Minimumof1,380hoursofyear
SeeERDC
Rate setting for programs
PercentageofMarketPriceStudy CostModel CostModel CostModel CostModel
Payment Mechanisms for Program
Vouchers&Contracts Contracts Contracts Contracts Contracts
*does not include new investments from Student Success Act
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20198
III. Administration
FourofthefiveprogramsareadministeredbytheEarlyLearningDivisionandoneisadministeredbytheDepartmentofHumanServices.ThefourprogramsthatareadministeredbytheELDincludePreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten(OPK)/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStart,andBabyPromise.ThefederalgovernmentalsocontractsdirectlywithHeadStartandEarlyHeadStartandprovidersmonitoringandoversighttothosegrantees.EmploymentRelatedDayCare(ERDC)isadministeredbytheDepartmentofHumanServices.ForERDC,thefederalfundsarereceivedbytheEarlyLearningDivisionastheleadCCDFagencyandthentransferredtoDHSthroughanInteragencyAgreement.TheDepartmentofHumanServicesisresponsiblefordeterminingfamilies’eligibility,calculatingcopayments,calculatingproviderpaymentsandissuingproviderpayments.LicensedchildcareprovidersreceiveregularhealthandsafetyinspectionsconductedbytheOfficeofChildCareoftheEarlyLearningDivision.Non-relativelicenseexemptproviders(mostlyprovidersservingthreeorfewerchildren)receivingsubsidies(referredtoas“RegulatedSubsidyProviders”)alsoreceiveannualhealthandsafetyinspectionsconductedbytheEarlyLearningDivision’sOfficeofChildCare.
IV. Funding
Over 70% of Oregon’s Early Care and Education is Financed Directly by Parents
WhilethecostofK-12educationislargelypubliclyfunded,thisisnotthecaseforearlycareandeducation.Outoftheapproximately$1.3billionthatisspentannuallyinOregononearlycareandeducation,about72%–around$920million–comesstraightoutofthepocketsofparents.Thepercentageofcostofearlycareandeducationthatisborndirectlybyparentsintheformoftuitionandfeeshelpsexplainwhychildcareconsumessuchalargepartoffamilies’budgetsandwhyearlycareandeducationprogramslackresourcestosupportquality.
Figure 5. Parent, federal and state government investment in early care and education in Oregon
Source:OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,OregonStateUniversity,2018
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 20199
While the public share represents about a third of the totalinvestment,thesesubsidiesplayanimportantroleinaddressingaffordability,access,supplyandqualityoftheearlycareandeducationprogramsavailabletofamiliesinOregon.
Oregon’s public investment draws heavily on federal revenue
Oregonreliesuponseveralfederalfundingstreamsaspartofitsfundingforearlycareandeducation.About19%ofOregon’sinvestmentinearlycareandeducationisfederal.TheseincludethefederalHeadStartandEarlyHeadStartprograms,aswellastheChildCareandDevelopmentFund(CCDF).
AsignificantportionofthefederalinvestmentisthroughtheChildCareandDevelopmentFund(CCDF).CCDFisasystem approach that requires states to address all aspects ofearlycareandeducation,includingaccess,affordability,supplyandquality.CCDFrequirementsapplybothtostatesubsidyprogramsandbroadaspectsofthesystem,includinglicensing,professionaldevelopmentandqualityimprovements.OneoftherequirementsisforstatestosubmitaCCDFplanthatrequiresdescriptionsofalloftheseelementsandthatmustbeapprovedbythefederalOfficeofChildCare.InOregon,theEarlyLearningDivision,astheCCDFleadagency,isresponsiblefordeveloping,submitting,andimplementingthestateplan.TherearesevenpurposesoftheCCDF,whichare:
(1)Toalloweachstatemaximumflexibilityindevelopingchildcareprogramsandpoliciesthatbestsuittheneedsofchildrenandparentswithinthatstate
(2)Topromoteparentalchoicetoempowerworkingparentstomaketheirowndecisionsregardingthechildcareservicesthatbestsuitstheirfamily’sneeds
(3)Toencouragestatestoprovideconsumereducationinformationtohelpparentsmakeinformedchoicesaboutchildcareservicesandtopromoteinvolvementbyparentsandfamilymembersinthedevelopmentoftheirchildreninchildcaresettings
(4)Toassiststatesindeliveringhigh-quality,coordinatedearlychildhoodcareandeducationservicestomaximizeparents’optionsandsupportparentstryingtoachieveindependencefrompublicassistance
(5)Toassiststatesinimprovingtheoverallqualityofchildcareservicesandprogramsbyimplementingthehealth,safety,licensing,training,andoversightstandards established in this subchapter and in state lawincluding]stateregulations
(6)Toimprovechildcareanddevelopmentofparticipatingchildren
(7)Toincreasethenumberandpercentageoflow-incomechildreninhigh-qualitychildcaresettings.vii
Statesarerequiredtosetasideaminimumof9%offundstosupportqualityand3%offundstoimprovethesupply and quality of care for infants and toddlers.viiiAfterthesesetasides,andinkeepingwithamountspermittedtobespentonadministration,atleast70%offundsmustbeusedfordirectservices,whichtypicallytranslateintoinvestmentsinprogramssuchasERDCandBabyPromisethatbenefitlow-incomechildren.KeyCCDFprovisionsaddressthefollowingareas:
•Activitiestoimprovethequalityofcare
•CCDFPlan
•Consumerandprovidereducation
•Criminalbackgroundchecks
•Eligiblechildren
•Eligiblefamilies
•Eligibleproviders
•Establishingpriorities
•Familycostsharing
•Healthandsafety
•Licensingofproviders
•Limitonadministrativecosts
•Minimumfordirectservices
•Minimumexpendituresonquality
•Parentalchoice
•Paymentmethods
•Providerpaymentrates
Oregonisprojectedtoreceive$189.8millioninCCDFoverthe2019-21biennium.TheELDtransfers$116.3millionofthosefundstotheDepartmentofHumanServicesfortheEmploymentRelatedDayCare(ERDC)
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201910
subsidyprogram.TheseCCDFfundsarecombinedwithanadditional$63.5millioninstateGeneralFundforatotalbiennialfundingof$181.8millionforthestateCCDFchildcaresubsidyprogram,ERDC.The$73.5millionretainedbytheELDsupportschildcarelicensing,backgroundchecksandregistrationforchildcareproviders,theearlychildhoodprofessionaldevelopmentsystem,includingthe13regionalChildCareResource&Referralagencies,childcarequalityimprovementinitiativessuchasSpark,andtheBabyPromiseQualityInfantToddlerCarepilot.
WhilestatesdohaveconsiderablediscretionastohowtospendCCDFandhowtostructuretheirchildcaresubsidyprograms,theCCDFdoescomewithanumberofrequirementsandguidance.In2014,CongressreauthorizedthelegislationthatprovidesfundsforCCDF.Thesechangeswerearticulatedinthe2016CCDFRule.The2016Ruleincludesnewmandatesforquality,training,eligibility,backgroundchecks,amongotheritems.Itrequiresforthefirsttimethatlicenseexemptchildcareprovidernotrelatedtothechild,butparticipatinginthechildcaresubsidyprogram,receiveannualon-sitehealthandsafetyinspections.InOregon,providersservingthreeoffewerchildrenareexemptfromstatechildcarelicensingrequirement,asareprogramsservingpreschoolagechildren(three-andfour-year-olds)andschoolagechildren(olderthanfive)forfourorfewerhoursperdayandprogramsthatareundertheauspicesofagovernmentalentity.Statesarealsonowrequiredtoprovidetwelvemonthsof“protectedeligibility”forfamilieswhoreceivechildcaresubsidiespaidforwithCCDF.Thisnewprovisionismeanttoaidchilddevelopmentandsupportfamiliesbyincreasingcontinuityofcareandreducinginstabilityincarearrangementsforfamilies.
In2018,CongresssignificantlyincreasedfundingforCCDF.Thisincreasehastranslatedinto$26millioninadditionalfundingforOregonperyear.Oregonisusingthesenewfundstostrengthenitschildcarelicensingsystem,offsetthecostofthefingerprintingandtrainingrequirements,increasesupportsfortheregionalChildCareResource&Referralsystem,pilotBabyPromiseandaddnewincentivesforprovidersofferingnon-standardhoursofcareforERDCfamilies.ThemostsignificantportionofthosefundswenttoincreasethemaximumreimbursementrateforchildcareprovidersservingERDCfamilies.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201911
V. Eligibility and Children Served
ERDC
Availablefederalandstateresourcesareinsufficienttomeetthedemandforsubsidizedcare.Oregoncurrentlyservesanestimated15%ofchildreneligibleforservicesundercurrentERDCeligibilityrules.Howstatesmanagetheselimitedresourcesdetermineswhowillbeserved,howmanyparentsandchildrenwillbeserved,andthetypeandqualityoftheservicestheyreceive.StatesmanageaCCDFchildcaresubsidyprogramthroughdecisionsmadeonkeypolicylevers.Examplesincludereducingeligibilityorproviderpaymentsorincreasingcopaymentsinordertoservemorechildrenortoreduceexpenditures.
InFederalFiscalYear2018Oregon,providedERDCto19,737(unduplicated)childrenandanadditional2,653childrenreceivedchildcaresubsidiesthroughtheTANFprogram.OfthechildrenservedbyERDC,31%wereinfantsandtoddlers(undertheageofthree),25%preschoolage(three-andfour-year-olds)and44%schoolage(olderthanfive).
Figure 6. Age of Children Served by ERDC
Acrossallchildren,50%(11,121)ofchildrenservedwereidentifiedasatleastonerace/ethnicitycategoryotherthanWhite.68%ofchildrenwereidentifiedasWhite,however18%ofthosechildrenalsoidentifiedasapersonofcolor(i.e.,mixedrace/ethnicity).Withinthepopulationofchildrenofcolor,50%identifiedasLatino/Hispanic,3%Asian,28%AfricanAmerican/Black,7%AmericanIndian,and2%PacificIslander.Geographically,themajorityofchildrenliveinmetrocounties(87%),withthehighestnumberofchildreninMultnomah(25%),Washington(14%),Lane(11%),andMarion(10%)counties.Theremaining13%offamiliesliveineithermicro(11%)ornoncore(2%)counties.SeeTable4belowforcountyestimates.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201912
Source:OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,2019
Table 4. Number of unique children served by ERDC by count in federal fiscal year 2018
County Freq. Percent Region
Baker 82 0% noncore
Benton 145 1% metro
Clackamas 1,237 6% metro
Clatsop 119 1% micro
Columbia 230 1% metro
Coos 265 1% micro
Crook 79 0% micro
Curry 73 0% micro
Deschutes 591 3% metro
Douglas 482 2% micro
Gilliam 3 0% noncore
Grant 29 0% micro
Harney 7 0% noncore
HoodRiver 75 0% micro
Jackson 1,173 6% metro
Jefferson 164 1% noncore
Josephine 367 2% metro
Klamath 231 1% micro
Lake 2 0% noncore
Lane 2,220 11% metro
Lincoln 113 1% micro
Linn 456 2% metro
Malheur 158 1% micro
Marion 2,119 11% metro
Morrow 27 0% micro
Multhomah 4,813 24% metro
Polk 429 2% metro
Sherman 1 0% noncore
Tillamook 52 0% noncore
Umatilla 374 2% micro
Union 158 1% micro
Wallowa 11 0% noncore
Wasco 118 1% micro
Washington 2,828 14% metro
Wheeler 1 0% noncore
Yamhill 501 3% metro
Oregon Total 19,733
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201913
Source:OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,2019
ERDCreceivesafixedamountoffundingforeachbiennium.Programadministratorsmustbecarefultoensurethatthecostoftheprogramdoesnotexceedtheallocatedfunds.ThisrequiresDHStomonitorthecaseloadtomakesureitisatasustainablelevelgiventheavailableresources.Whenthecaseloadexceedsthissustainablelevel,areservationlist(orwaitlist)isimposed.Evenwhenthereisreservationlist,familieswhomeetcertaincriteria–suchasfamilieswhoaretransitioningoutofTANF–areeligibleforERDCwithoutgoingonthereservationlist.Familieswhodonotmeetthesecriteriawaituntilthereisanopeningandareselectedfromthereservationlistbasedonthedatethattheywereadded,withthefirsttoapplyasthefirstselected.Oregonusedareservationlistbetween2010and2016.AsofMarch2018,ERDCenrollmenthasbeenwithnoreservationlistinplace.
Priortothe2007legislativechangesinOregonERDCpolicies,servingasmanychildrenaspossiblewasastatepriority.Asconcernsaboutshortspellsofparticipationinthesubsidyprogram(mediansubsidyspellsof3-4months)andlowproviderpaymentratesemerged(aslowas26thpercentileofthe2006MarkerPriceStudy),the2007legislaturemadesubstantivechangesinERDCpolicies.Asaresult,theprogramgrew,subsidyspellswereslightlylongerandproviderpaymentswerehigher.Budgetcutsin2010ledtoreducedenrollmentsandtheimplementationofareservationlist.Thenin2014CongressrevisedtheChildCareandDevelopmentBlockGrant,thelegislationwhichauthorizesCCDFandthefederalOfficeforChildCarefollowedwiththe2016revisedCCDFRule.TheRuleaimedtoincreasethestabilityofsubsidizedchildcareandincreasetheemphasisonsafetyandqualityofthiscare.Keypolicieswerechangedbutresourceswerenotincreasedsufficientlytoprovidetheseimprovedservicestothesamenumberofchildren.In2015,theOregonlegislatureallocatedadditionalstatefundstotheERDCprogramtohelpmeettheneedcreatedbythe2014CCDFReauthorization.Whilethiswasasignificantincreaseinstatefunding,itwasnotsufficienttomeetthefullneedscreatedbythereauthorization.Ascanbeseeninthefollowinggraphic,thenumberofchildrenservedbythechildcaresubsidyprogramhasdeclinedovertimebuthasbeenfairlystableforthelastfiveyears.
Figure 7. Number of Oregon children served by ERDC
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201914
Source:OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,2019
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201915
ERDC Policy Choices Eligibility
Federal requirementsCCDFrulemandatesthatstatessetinitialeligibilityatlessthan85%ofStateMedianIncome(SMI)or$59,495forafamilyofthree,whichisequivalenttoapproximately291%oftheFederalPovertyLeveliv.CCDFrulefurtherrequiresthattobeeligible,achildbirthtoage13(unlessdisabled)mustresidewithaparentorparentsx responsible for the care,controlandsupervisionofthechildandwhoare(a)workingorattendingajobtrainingoreducationalprogramor(b)receiving,orneedstoreceive,protectiveservices.Statesareprovidedwithflexibilitytodefinework,trainingoreducationastheyseefit.InOregon,workisdefinedtomeanatleastonecaretakermustreceiveincomefromemployment,includingself-employment,orthroughpaidworkexperience,paidpracticumassignmentsandfederalworkstudyaspartofaneducationprogram.Therearenorequiredminimumworkhours.Inatwo-parentfamily,anunemployedparentisexpectedtocareforachildunlessadisabilitypreventsdoingso.Consistentlyover90%ofsubsidyparticipantsaresingleparents.Statesaretophase-outassistancewhenincomeincreasesabovetheSMIthresholdatthetimeofredeterminationbutremainsbelowthefederalthresholdof85%oftheSMI. Federal guidanceThefederalOfficeofChildCareencouragesstatestoestablishprocessestotakeintoaccountirregularfluctuationsinearningsoccurringsuchasabsencefromemploymentduetoextendedmedicalleaveorchangesinseasonalworkschedule,orifaparentenrolledintrainingoreducationalprogramistemporarilynotattendingclassbetweensemesters.Duringaphase-outperiod,statescouldadjustcopaymentsforfamiliestocreateagradualshiftinhowfamiliesmustadjusttheirbudgettocoverthefullcostofcareoncetheyarenolongerreceivingasubsidy,butshouldconsiderhowtodothisinawaythatminimizespaperworkandreportingburdensonworkingfamilies.
Figure 8. Employment Related Day Care participation by income (as percent of federal poverty line)
Oregon current practiceInOregon,thelegislaturesetstheincomeeligibilityandexitlimits.InorderforafamilytoenrollinERDC,theirincomemustnotexceed185%FPL.However,oncetheyhaveenrolledintheprogram,theycanstayenrolleduntiltheirincomeexceeds85%ofSMIor250%ofFPL(the“exit”eligibility),whicheverishigher.Oregonincludesallincomereceivedbytheimmediatefamilymemberslivinginthehouseholdexcepttransferincomeorearnedincomeofchildrenandfostercare/guardianshippayments.Grossincomereceivedthroughself-employmentisalloweda50%deductionorfullcostdeduction.Increasesinincomeoccurringduringtheeligibilityperioddonotneedtobereportedunlesstheincomerisesabovethe85%SMIor250%FPLwhicheverishigher(exitincomelimit).ERDCcasesthatremaineligibleabove85%SMIbutunder250%FPLarepaidthroughOregonGeneralFundsxi.Oregonserveschildrenbirth
Source:DepartmentofHumanServices,2019
throughage12(orthroughtheageof17ifchildhasspecialneed).Thechildmustresidewithaparentwhoisworking.Incertaincases,OregonallowsCCDFassistanceforeducationandtrainingparticipationalone,withoutaworkrequirement.
Post-secondarystudentswhomeetthestandardincomeandworkeligibilityrequirementsforERDCandareenrolledintheprogramcanalsohavechildcarefortheirclassrelatedhourscoveredsolongastheirclasshoursdonotexceedtheirworkhours.
Length of Eligibility Period
Federal requirementsDisruptionsincarearrangementshavebeenshowntobeharmfulforchildren.Inrecognitionofthis,the2014CongressionalReauthorizationputsignificantemphasisonpoliciesthatsupportcontinuityofcareforthechild.TheCCDFrulerequirestatestosetaminimum12-montheligibility re-determinationperiod,regardlessofchangesinincome(aslongasincomedoesnotexceedthefederalthresholdof85%SMI)ortemporarychangesinparticipationinwork,training,oreducationactivities.Statesmaynotterminateassistancepriortotheendofthe12-monthperiodif:afamilyexperiencesatemporaryjoblossorabsencefromemploymentduetoextendedmedicalleaveorchangesinseasonalwork,or;ifaparentenrolledintrainingoreducationalprogramistemporarilybetweensemestersandnotattendingclass.Thelevelofsupports,includingchildcarehourscanbeincreasedduringthecertificationperiod,butnotdecreased.
Federal guidanceThefederalruleallowsstatestheoptiontoterminatesubsidyassistancepriortore-determinationifaparentlosesemployment.However,assistancemustbecontinuedforatleastthreemonthstoallowforjobsearch.Timeinadditiontothreemonthsmaybeallowedifanemployerverifiestheemployeewillbecalledbacktoworkafteralayoff.Therulegivesstatestheflexibilitytoconsiderachild’sdevelopmentalneedsandfamilycircumstances,splitworkschedules,breaksbetweeneducationcourses,andsleeptimeforparentswhoworkmultiplejobsorhavenontraditionalworkhours.
Oregon current practice Oregonbegantoimplement12-montheligibilityperiodsand3-monthjobsearchpolicyinOctober2015.ERDCenrollmentwillbeterminatedpriortotheendofthetwelvemontheligibilityperiodiftheparenthasapermanentlossofemployment.Apermanentlossmeansthecaretakerdoesnotplantoreturntotheiremployer,andareturntoworkdatewasnotgiventotheemployee.Fortemporaryjoblosses,whereareturntoworkdateisestablished,theworksearchperiodisextendedtotheverifiedreturndate.Clientsaregivenuptothreefullmonthsforapermanentjoblosswithwaivingthecopaymenttolocatenewemployment.WhennewemploymentisnotreportedtoDHSbytheendoftheclient’sworksearchperiodthecaseisclosed.Aworksearchnotificationletterwithemploymentresources,aremindertoreportnewemploymentandthecaseclosuredateisautomaticallymailedtotheclientwhenapermanentjoblossisreported.Asecondletterisautomaticallymailedtothe client in the closure month.
Eligibility for Preschool Promise, Oregon Head Start Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start, Early Head Start and Baby PromiseAlloftheseearlycareandeducationprogramsaretargetedtospecificagerangesandincomelevels.BothPreschoolPromiseandOPK/HeadStartservethree-andfour-year-olds.PreschoolPromiseserveschildreninthisagerangefromfamiliesupto200%FPLandOPK/HeadStartfamiliesup100%FPL.BabyPromiseandEarlyHeadStartfocusoninfantsandtoddlers(EarlyHeadStartalsoservesexpectantmothers),withBabyPromiseupto200%FPLandEarlyHeadStart100%FPL.PreschoolPromise,OPKandEarlyHeadStartdonotrequireparentstobemeetawork,trainingoreducationalhoursrequirements.CurrentlyfamilieshavemultiplepointsofentryintotheELD
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201916
administeredprograms,whicharedifferentthanthepointofentryintoERDC.TheEarlyLearningDivisionwillbeworkingwiththeEarlyLearningHubstodevelopcommunity-basedstrategiesforcoordinatedenrollmentforearlycareandeducationprogramsadministeredbyELD.Oncefamilieshavebeendeterminedeligible,theycannotloseeligibilityduringtheprogramyear.Thetablebelowsummarizestheapproach.
Table 5. Eligibility provisions
Preschool Promise
Oregon Head Start Pre-Kindergarten/
Head StartEarly Head Start Baby Promise
Child age of eligibility
3 and 4 years old
3 and 4 year oldsInfants and 2 year olds;expectant
mothers
Infants and 2 year olds
Parental work/training requirement
none none none SameasERDC
Family income Upto200%FPL Upto100%FPL Upto100%FPL Upto200%FPL
Length of enrollment period
Fortwoprogramyears
Fortwoprogramyears
Forentireageperiod
Programyear
Eligibility determination
ELDcontractedproviders
ELDcontractedproviders
ELDcontractedproviders
ELDcontractedproviders
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201917
VI. Parental Copayments
ERDCFederal requirement TheCCDFrulerequiresstatesestablishandperiodicallyreviseasliding-feescaleforCCDFfamiliesthatvariesbasedonincomeandthesizeofthefamilytodetermineeachfamily’scopayment.Thefederalpolicyalsoallowsstatestowavecopaymentsinanumberofcircumstances,includingforpopulationsthatCCDFhasdesignatedasvulnerableandparticularlystrugglingtoaccesschildcare.SomestateswaivethecopaymentforfamilieswhoearnlessthantheFederalPovertyLine($21,330forafamilyofthree).
Federal guidanceThefederalOfficeofChildCarerecommendsthatcopaymentamountsnotexceed7%offamilyincome.OCCallowsstatestoconsiderotherfactorswhendeterminingcopayment.
Oregon current practice Thefamily’scopaymentisdeterminedbycalculatingapercentageofthefamily’sincomeatinitialcertification.Theformulatakesintoaccountfamilysizeaswellasincome.Thecopaymentmaynotincreaseduringthe12-monthcertificationperiodduetowageincreasesorjobchangesxii.Ifacopaymentexceedsthecostofcare,theparentisdeterminedtobeineligibleforparticipationinERDC.Thereareanumberofsituationswherethecopaymentiswaived.
•AuthorizedWorkSearchduringlapseofemploymentxiii •HeadStartcontractedslotsxiv •WorkingTANFfamiliesreceivingchildcarefundedthroughCCDFxv
FamiliesreceivealowercopaymentwhentheyuseaSparkratedproviderasfollows:the$27copaymentisreducedto$0,copaymentsof$28to$200arereducedby$20amonth,copaymentsof$201ormorearereducedby10%.SparkisOregon’squalityratingandimprovementsystem.
OfthosefamilieswithreportedincomeinFY2018,approximately92%percentpaidacopayment.Forfamiliesthatwereassessedacopayment,theaveragecopaymentwas12.8%offamilyincome.ForthelowestincomefamiliesreceivingERDC(below50%ofFPL),copaymentsare$27permonth.Asfamilyincomerises,sodocopayments.Whenfamilyincomeapproaches185%FPL($39,460forafamilyofthree),copaymentsrisesignificantlyabovethe7%federalguidelinetoabout25%oftheirincomepermonth.Thisisabout$656forafamilyoftwoupto$1,719forafamilyofeightormore.
Copaymentcollectionisnotmonitoredandsomeprovidersmaynotalwaysbecollectingthecopayment(inpartorfull)fromfamilies.Providerscanalsocollectthedifferencebetweenwhattheychargeandwhatthestatepays,sotheactuallyparentpaymentcouldbehigher.(SeesectionVIII.)
Figure 9. Oregon current family monthly copayment schedule by family income
Copayments for other early care and education programsPreschool Promise, OPK/Head Start, Early Head Start and Baby Promise do not charge a copayment.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201918
Source:AjayChaudry,ChristinaWeilandandTarynMorrissey.“Acomprehensiveplanforbirth-to-fiveearlychildhood care and educationservicesinOregon.”September2019
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201919
VII. Who Delivers Services and Hours of Operation
Provider types and typical hours of operationsOregoniscommittedtoamixed-deliverysystemthatincludeslicensedexemptcare,familychildcare,center-basedcare,HeadStartsandschools.Whilealloftheprogramsdrawuponthemixeddeliverysystem,differentprogramsdrawupondifferentpartsofit.ERDCincludesfamilymembers,licensedexemptproviders,licensedfamilychildcarehomesandcenters.Providersareexemptfromlicensingiftheyservethreeorfewerunrelatedchildren,areapreschoolorschoolageprogramservingchildrenforfourorfewerhoursperday,orarerunbyagovernmentagency,includingpublicschools.PreschoolPromiseincludeslicensedfamilychildcarehomesandcenters,HeadStarts,andschools.OregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten/HeadStartandEarlyHeadStartarerunbyOPK/HeadStartgrantees.HeadStartprogramsaregenerallysubjecttolicensingandmayvoluntarilylicenseiftheyareundertheauspicesofapublicagencysuchasaschool.BabyPromiseusesthesamecategoriesofmixed-deliveryprovidersasPreschoolPromise.
ERDCandBabyPromiseareorientedtoworkingfamiliesthatrequireservicesacrosstheyearandsupporttheirworkhours.Thehoursofservicesfortheseprogramsaredeterminedbytheneedsoffamilies.Thatmeansthattheseprogramsprovideservicesforthefullyearorforthefulllengthofhoursneededbyworkingfamilies.Italsomeansthatfamiliescanselectproviderswhooffercareduringnon-standardhours.Findingproviderswhooffernon-standardshourscanbechallenging.Non-standardhoursofcarearemostoftenprovidedbyfamilymembers,familychildcareandlicenseexemptproviders.
Therewere2,949providerscaringforachildreceivinganERDCsubsidyinanaveragemonthinFederalFiscalYear(FFY)2018.Overthefull12monthsofFFY2018,4,140providersparticipatedinERDC.Oftheseproviders,47%wereregulatedand53%werenotregulated.Anotherwaytounderstandtheroleofprovidersinthesubsidysystemistoaskwhatpercentageofchildrenreceivedregulatedandunregulatedcare.Someproviders(e.g.,centers)careforlargenumbersofchildren,andotherproviders(e.g.,relatives)careforsmallnumbersofchildren.Thus,thepercentageofprovidersregulatedornotregulatedwillbedifferentwhenweaskwhatpercentageofchildrenarewithregulatedornotregulatedproviders.InanaveragemonthinFFY2018,73%ofchildrenwereinregulatedcarewhile27%wereinunregulatedcare.ComparisonwithdataforFFYs2105-2016,thesefindingsshowanincreaseinthepercentageofregulatedprovidersandofthepercentofchildrenwitharegulatedprovider.
PreschoolPromise,OPK/HeadStartandEarlyHeadStarttypicallyoperateforspecifichoursthataredeterminedbothinregulationandbyleveloffunding.Thatmeansthattheseprogramsoftendonotprovideservicesforthefullyearorforthefulllengthofhoursneededbyworkingfamilies.PreschoolPromiseprovidersarerequiredtoofferaminimumoftheequivalentofkindergartenschooldayandschoolyearhours.StandardOPK/HeadStarthoursareaminimumof3.5hoursperdayand160daysperyear.SomeOPK/HeadStartcontractwithERDCforextendedhoursanddays.StudentSuccessActFundsincluderesourcesforOPKprogramstoextendtheirhoursofduration.
Alternative Hour Care Incentive Payment Program
ManyofthefamiliesservedbyERDCdonotworkatraditionalninetofiveMondaythroughFridayschedule.Eveningandweekendhourshavebecomeincreasinglycommonforlow-wageworkers.Findingchildcarethatfitswiththesenon-standardhourscanbeevenmorechallenging.
Inrecognitionofthischallenge,theDepartmentofHumanServicespilotedanenhancedpaymentprogramsforprovidersservingERDCfamiliesduringthesenon-standard hours. The pilot ran from January toSeptemberof2019andinvolved768providers.Providerscouldqualifyfor$250foreachchildwithatleast20hoursofalternativehourcareprovidedpermonthor$500foreachchildwithatleast40hoursofalternativehourcare.Alternativehourcarewasdefinedascareprovidedbetween7pmand6amorcareprovidedonaSaturdayorSunday.DHSiscurrentlyanalyzingdataontheeffectivenessofthisincentiveprogram.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201920
Child care licensing and regulationAsdescribedabove,manyoftheprovidersparticipatinginthesubsidizedearlycareandeducationsystemaresubjecttolicensing.Eventhoseprogramsthatarelegallyexemptfromlicensingmayhavesomeregulatoryrequirements,suchaspreschoolorschoolagecentersthatenrollchildrenforfourhoursorlessandrequiredtobecomeaRecordedProgram.RecordedProgramsmustconductbackgroundchecksforstaffwhohavecontactwithchildren.ProviderswhoareservingthreeorfewchildrenandnotservingERDCfamiliesarenotsubjecttoanyregulationormonitoring,anddonothavetoregisterwiththestate.
Licensingestablishesbasichealthandsafetystandardsandexpectations.Licensingstandardsvarybylicensingcategory.Oregonrecognizesthreecategoriesoflicensedprograms:registeredfamilychildcare,certifiedfamilychildcareandcertifiedcenter.Seethetable6belowformoreinformationoneachoftheselicensingcategories.
ProviderswhoworkinlicensedfacilitiesmustpassacriminalbackgroundcheckandbeenrolledintheCentralBackgroundRegistry.Minimumstafftrainingandqualificationsarespecifiedbylicensingtypeandfocusonhealthandsafety,withsomerequirementsforchilddevelopment.
TheEarlyLearningDivisionhaslaunchedayear-longrevisionprocessforitschildcarelicensingrules.Thegoalofthisrevisionprocessistoensurethatrulesarestreamlined,inplainlanguage,alignedacrosslicensingcategories,andfocusedonrequirementsthatmostimpacthealth,safetyandpositivechilddevelopment.
Table6explainsthedifferentcategoriesofregulationandlicensing,howmanychildrentheseprogramscanserve,thebasicregulatoryrequirementsandtherelationshiptoERDC.
Table 6. Licensing and regulation categories
Child Care Type
License Exempt Licensed
Recorded Programs
Regulated Subsidy Provider
Registered Family Child Care
Certified Family Child Care
Certified Child Care Center
What are the care options?
Preschoolprogramsthat operate four hours or less per dayandschool-ageprogramsthataren’trequiredtobelicensed.
Providerseligiblefor state subsidy reimbursement,butare not required to be licensed. Includes family,friendsandsomeprogramwithlimited hours.
Home-basedchildcareprogramwithupto10children.
Home-basedchildcareprogramwithup to 16 children.
Center-basedchildcareprogramwithnumber of children determinedbyfloorspace and number ofstaff.
Is this type of care regulated?
RecordedPrograms:• complywithbackgroundchecks
RegulatedSubsidyProviders:• meet health
and safety standards(on-siteinspections)
• complywithbackgroundchecks
• areregularlymonitored
• participateinongoingtraining
Licensedchildcare:• meethigherhealth,safetyandprogramstandards(on-siteinspections)
• complywithbackgroundcheckswithOfficeofChildCare• areregularlymonitored• participateinongoingtraining
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201921
Child Care Type
License Exempt Licensed
Recorded Programs
Regulated Subsidy Provider
Registered Family Child Care
Certified Family Child Care
Certified Child Care Center
Which are eligible to accept subsidy dollars?
No.Unlessprogramsmeet requirements forregulatedsubsidy.
ThesetypesofcarecanacceptsubsidypaymentsaslongastheyarelistedwithDepartmentofHumanServices.
Which are licensed?
No.Theseprogramsarerecordedwiththe State.
No.
Licensedchildcare:• keepattendancerecords• haveplannededucationalactivities• haveaguidanceanddisciplinepolicy• haveadailyroutine/schedule• arecertifiedtohandlefoodpreparation• aretrainedinfirstaidandCPR• aretrainedinchildabuseandneglect• participateinongoingtrainingonchilddevelopmenthearth
and safety
Source:oregonearlylearning.com/providers-educators/become-a-provider
Additional program standards
PreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten,EarlyHeadStart,andBabyPromisehaveadditionalprogramrequirements.PreschoolPromiseincludesadditionalqualityandcurriculastandardsrelatedtoitsgoalsofschoolreadiness.Forexample,leadteachersareexpectedtohavebachelor’sdegreeandcourseworkinearlychildhood,alongwith20hoursofon-goingtrainingannually.TheHeadStartPerformanceStandards,whichgovernbothfederallyfundedHeadStartgranteesandOregonHeadStartPre-KindergartenprogramsandEarlyHeadStart,alsoincludeadditionalqualityandcurricularstandardsassociatedwithitsgoalsofschoolreadiness.ThefederalHeadStartPerformanceStandardsrequirehomevisitswithfamilyandtheprovisionofcomprehensivehealthandfamilysupportservices.BabyPromisealsorequiresadditionalqualitystandardsassociatedwithitsgoalsofschoolreadiness,aswellasparticipationinprofessionaldevelopmentactivitiesfocusedonthedevelopmentneedsofinfantsandtoddlers.ERDCdoesnothaveadditionalprogramsrequirementsbeyondthose already discussed.
VIII. Rate Setting and Payment Mechanisms for Programs
ERDC Payment Rates Federal requirement CCDFrulerequiresthatpaymentratesaresufficienttoensureequalaccessforeligiblefamiliestochildcareservicescomparabletothoseprovidedbyfamiliesnotreceivingCCDFassistance.StatessetmaximumpaymentratesandprovidersarenotpaidmorethantheirusualchargestofamilieswhoarenotparticipatingintheERDCprogram,unlesstheyhaveahigherlevelofdocumentedqualitythroughthestate’schildcarequalityimprovementinitiative,Spark.Thus,providersonlychargethestate’smaximumrateiftheirusualchargesfornon-ERDCfamiliesareequaltoorexceedthestate’smaximumrate.
TheCCDFrulerequiresstatestoconductamarketratesurvey(MRS)reflectingvariationsinthepriceofchildcarebygeographicarea,typeofprovider,andageofchildand/oranalternativemethodology,suchasacostestimationmodelthatalsoreflectsvariationbygeographicarea,typeofprovider,andageofchild.Statesmusttakeintoaccountcostofcarewhensettingpaymentrates.Statesmustreevaluatetheirratesevery3yearsbasedonamarketrate/pricestudythatoccursnomorethantwoyearsbeforesubmissionoftheCCDFstateplan.
Federal guidanceThefederalOfficeofChildCareencouragesstatestosetthemaximumreimbursementrateatthe75th percentileofthemarketrate/pricestudy;thatis,therateishighenoughtoprovideparentsaccessto75%ofthechildcareslotsintheparent’scommunity.[i.e.,iftherewerea100childcareprovidersinacommunityandtheywerelinedupfromlowesttohighestprice,thechildcaresubsidyshouldbesufficientforafamilytoselectanyofthefirst75providers.]
OCCencouragesStatestoprovidetieredpaymentwithasufficientratedifferencebetweentierstosupporthigherquality.
Stateshavetheoptiontoallowproviderstochargeparentsadditionalamountsabovetherequiredcopaymentininstanceswheretheprovider’spriceexceedsthesubsidypayment.xvi
Alternative Methodology for Rating Setting
The2014CCDFReauthorizationallowsstatestouseanAlternativeMethodology,suchascostestimation,asacomplementorsubstitutetoaMarketRateStudy.TheuseofAlternativeMethodologyinlieuofamarketratesurveymustbeapprovedinadvancebythefederalAdministrationforChildrenandFamiliesaspartofastate’sCCDFPlandevelopmentandreview.
Costestimationallowsthestatetodeterminethecostofactuallydeliveringcareatvariouslevelsofquality.Thisalsoallowsstatestosupportqualitybypayingprogramsatasufficientleveltoachievebenchmarksofquality.Costestimationmodelstypicallylookatthefollowingfactors:
•Staffsalariesandbenefits•Trainingandprofessionaldevelopment•Curriculaandsupplies•Groupsizeofchildrenandstaff-childratios•Enrollmentlevels•Programsize•Facilitycosts(rentormortgageandutilities)
TheDistrictofColumbiahasappliedforandbeenapprovedtouseanAlternativeMethodologybasedoncostestimation.Anumberofstatesarealsoexploringthisoption.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201922
Oregon current practice Inordertoidentifypricesbygeographicarea,typeofprovider,andageofchild,Oregonconductsthe“MarketPriceStudy”(MPS).Thestudyisadvisedbyacommitteethatincludesprogramadministrators,ChildCareResource&Referral(CCR&R)programs,AFSCME,researchersandstafffrommultipleagenciesandotherearlylearningstakeholders.TheMPSexaminesthepricesthatchildcareproviderscharge.TheobjectiveofthesurveyistounderstandwhatprovidersarechargingthegeneralpopulationforchildcareservicesinordertoinformratesettingthatwillallowfamiliesreceivingERDCequalaccesstothefullrangeofchildcareavailabletofamiliesnotreceivingsubsidies.DatasourcesincludeELDlicensingdatamergedwiththeCCR&Rstatewidedatabaseinordertocapturethefullchild care supply.
Basedonthe2018marketpricestudy,thepercentofslotsthatcouldbepurchasedwiththevalueofthepaymentratesdecreasedfrom76percentto65percentbetween2016and2018.
However,asnotedearlier,OregonreceivedasignificantincreaseinfederalCCDFin2018.Thesefundswereusedinparttoincreasethemaximumreimbursementrates.AsofJanuary2019providerreimbursementratesareatornear(within$40permonth)the75%foralltypesandagesofcare.Atthesametime,thestatemergedratesforgeographicareaC,themostruralofthethreegeographicareasusedintheMPS,withratesforareaBinordertoaddressthelowpaymentratesforOregon’smostruralcommunities.
Oregondoesallowproviderswhosefeesexceedthemaximumratetochargeparentsthedifferencebetweentheirusualfeeandthemaximumrateinadditiontothefamily’scopayment.Thispolicymakesitpossibleforproviderswithhigherfeestoparticipateinthesubsidyprogram.xviiAtthesametime,thispolicycanhavetheeffectofincreasingfamilycopayments.
Provider rates for Preschool Promise, Oregon Head Start Pre-Kindergarten/Head Start, Early Head Start and Baby PromiseFortheothersubsidizedearlycareandeducationprograms,paymentsratesareestablishedthroughmodelingthecostoftheservicesthatthestateiscontractingwiththeprovidertodeliver.
Payment MechanismsTherearetwofinancingmechanismsusedtorenderpaymentstoproviders.Onemechanismisvouchers.VouchersareavailableonlyforERDC.Forvouchers,onceafamilyisdeterminedeligible,theyseekoutanearlycareandeducationproviderwhomeetsanyrequirementssetbyERDC.Onceenrolled,theproviderispaidmonthlybyDHSbasedonthefamily’scontinuedeligibilityforERDC.Thefamilyisresponsibleforpayingthecopaymentdirectlytotheprovider.IftheparentleavesERDCormovestheirchildtoadifferentprovider,thepaymentstops. The second mechanism is contracts. Contracts arethesolemechanismforPreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStartandBabyPromise.ContractsarealsousedincertainspecificcircumstancesinERDC.ThefirstisforTeenParentprograms.ThesecondtargetsOregonPre-Kindergarten(OPK)participantswhoinordertomeetemploymentdemandsneedhoursofcareinadditiontothosetypicallyprovidedbytheOPKprovider.DHScontractswithasmallnumberofOPKprogramsandEarlyHeadStartPartnershipgranteesthatprovidetheseextrahoursofcare.
Contractsaregenerallywithamultiplicityofproviderstoensureparentchoiceandgeographicallyreach.Contractsarealsousedtoensurethatservicesareavailableforspecificpopulationsorspecifictypesofcare.Forinstance,contractsareusedwithTeenParentprogramstoensurethatchildcareisavailableon-siteinhighschoolssoyoungmotherscancontinuewiththeireducation.BabyPromiseisusingcontractstotargetinfantandtoddlercare,andinthosecontractsrequiringadditionalprofessionaldevelopmenttoraisequality.
Contracts,becausetheygiveprovidersmorestabilityoffunding,maybeaparticularlyusefultoolforbuildingthesupplyofearlycareandeducation.ThisroleforcontractedpubliclyfundedslotsinbuildingsupplyissupportedbytheOregonChildCareDesertsreport.TheOregonStateUniversityanalysisincludedbothprivateandpubliclyfunded(contracted)earlycareandeducationslots.Whentheresearchersremovedthepublicfundedslotsforthreeandfour-year-olds,itsignificantlyincreasedthenumberofcountiesthatwerechildcaredeserts.Moreover,theresearchersfoundthatformanycommunitiesinOregon,particularlythemoreruralones,publiclyfundedslotsrepresentedasignificantpercentoftheearlycareandeducationavailableinthecommunity.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201923
IX. Professional Development and Approach to Quality
Workforce OverviewGrowingattentiontotheimportanceofearlylearninghasheightenedawarenessoftheimportanceandvalueoftheearlycareandeducationworkforce.Theindividualswhospendtheirdaysworkingdirectlywithchildrenarethemostimportantingredientforthesuccessofearlylearningprogramsinpromotingschoolreadiness.In2018therewereapproximately24,000individualsworkingdirectlywithchildreninregulatedearlycareandeducationprogramsacrossOregon.Seventy-sevenpercentoftheseproviderswereworkinginchildcarecenters,another14%inlargechildcarehomesand9%insmallhome-basedchildcare.30%ofthisworkforceidentifiesasapersonofcolorandabout15%oftheworkforcespeaksaprimarylanguageotherthanEnglish,withthegreatestlinguisticdiversitywithsmallhome-basedproviders,where34%oftheworkforcespeaksaprimarylanguageotherthanEnglish.About36%oftheprovidersworkingincentershaveabachelor’sdegreeorhigherwiththisnumberdroppingdownto24%inlargehome-basedchildcareand11%insmallhomes.xviii
Educationandtrainingrequirementvarybytheauspicesofearlycareandeducationprograms,withPreschoolPromiserequiringleadteachershaveabachelor’sdegreeandreceivetwentyhours ofon-goingtrainingperyeartoRegulatedSubsidyProviderswithnoeducationalrequirementsandeighthours oftrainingeverytwoyears.(seetable7byprogram).
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201924
Source:OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,2019
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201925
Table 7. Preservice qualifications and on-going training by provider/program type
Provider/Program Type Preservice requirements & qualifications On-going Training
Regulated Subsidy Provider
Provider must complete prior to provision of services:•Introductiontochildcarehealth&safety•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•Firstaid&Infant/childCPR
Ongoing training:8hourseverytwoyearswithatleast6hoursinchilddevelopment
Registered Family Child Care
Provider must complete prior to licensing:•IntroductiontoRegisteredFamily(twopart)•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:10hourseverytwoyearswithatleast6hoursinchilddevelopment
Certified Family Child Care
Provider qualifications:•Oneyearofteachingexperienceinasettingsuchaschildcarecenterorpreschool;or
•Oneyearasaregisteredfamilychildcare;or•Completionof20credits(semestersystem)or30credits(quartersystem)oftrainingatacollegeoruniversityinearlychildhoodeducationorchilddevelopment;or
•StepeightintheOregonRegistry.
Provider must complete prior to licensing:•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:15hoursannuallywithatleast8hoursinchilddevelopment
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201926
Provider/Program Type Preservice requirements & qualifications On-going Training
Certified Center Child Care
Teacher qualifications:•20credits(semestersystem)or30credits(quartersystem)oftrainingatacollegeoruniversityinspecificareasdependingontheagegroupincare;or
•Aoneyearstateornationallyrecognizedcredentialintheagegroupincare;or
•Oneyearofteachingexperienceinagroupcaresettingsuchasachildcarecenterorpreschool;or
•SixmonthsteachingexperienceinagroupcaresettingANDcompletionof10credits(semestersystem)or15credits(quartersystem)asacollegeoruniversity;or
•StepeightintheOregonRegistry.
Provider must complete prior to licensing:•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:15hoursannuallywithatleast8hoursinchilddevelopment
Preschool Promise
Teacher qualifications:•B.A.withearlychildhoodcoursework(waivers available)
Provider must complete prior to licensing:•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:20hoursannually
OPK/Head Start
Teacher qualifications:•B.A.withearlychildhoodcoursework(waivers available)
Provider must complete prior to licensing:•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:20hoursannually
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201927
Provider/Program Type Preservice requirements & qualifications On-going Training
Early Head Start
Teacher qualifications: •MinimumofaChildDevelopmentAssociate(CDA)credentialwithcourseworkinECEwithafocusoninfantandtoddlerdevelopment
Provider must complete prior to licensing:•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:20hoursannually
Baby Promise
Teacher qualifications:InfantToddlerChildDevelopmentAssociate’s(CDA)oranAssociate’sdegreeinEarlyChildhoodEducation;orOregonRegistryStep7orhigherwithtrainingorequivalentcourseworkinearlychildhooddevelopmentwithafocusoninfantandtoddlerdevelopment
Providermustcompletepriortolicensing:•Firstaid•Infant/childCPR•FoodHandler’s•Trainingonrecognizingandreportingchildabuseandneglect•OCChealthandsafetytraining•OCCSafeSleeptraining
Ongoing training:ProfessionalDevelopmentPlanand20hoursannually
Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, the Oregon Registry and Spark
Oregon’s13regionalChildCareResource&Referral(CCR&Rs)agenciesprovideabackbonefortraining,coachingandothersupportsforqualityforalloftheearlycareandeducationworkforceandprogramsdiscussedinthisreport.ThethirteenCCR&Rswillreceiveabout$16millioninfundingoverthe2019-21biennium,allofwhichisfromthefederalCCDF.Thefundsareusedtoprovidetrainingandprofessionaldevelopment,promoteretentionofahighquality,culturallyandlinguisticallyresponsiveearlycareandeducationworkforceandtorecruitnewproviders.TheCCR&RsarestaffedwithQualityImprovementSpecialiststoassistearlyeducatorswiththeirprofessionalgoals.EveryCCR&RnowhasatleastoneInfantandToddlerSpecialist.TheyalsosupportFocusedChildCareNetworks,acohort-basedmodelofprofessionaldevelopmenttosupportsmallhome-basedchildcareproviders.TheOregonLegislatureallocated$1.8millionfortheFocusedChildCareNetworksforthe2019-21biennium.
TheEarlyLearningDivisioncontractswithPortlandStateUniversity’sOregonCenterforCareerDevelopmentinChildhoodCareandEducationtosupporttheOregonRegistry.TheOregonRegistryisOregon’sCareerLatticeSystemfortheearlycareandeducationworkforce.Itiscomprisedof12stepsservingasaframeworkforearlycareandeducationprofessionaldevelopmentandsupportingcareeradvancement.Theregistrydatabasetracksthetraininghours,collegecoursework
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201928
anddegreesthatthemembersoftheearlycareandeducationworkforcehavecompletedandassignsthemanappropriateStep.Staffoflicensedchildcarefacilities,PreschoolPromise,OPK/HeadStartandEarlyHeadStart,andBabyPromiseareallrequiredtoenrollintheOregonRegistry.
SparkisOregon’svoluntaryQualityRatingandImprovementSystem,launchedin2013andrevisedin2018,andcurrentlyopentolicensedfamilychildcarehomes,childcarecenters,PreschoolPromise,OPK/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStartandBabyPromiseprograms.Sparkincludesallagegroups,andhasspecificprovisionstosupportschoolagecare.SparkhelpsimprovethequalityofchildcareinOregonbyrecognizing,rewardingandbuildingonwhatearlylearninganddevelopmentprogramsarealreadydoingwell.Theprogramhasbeenstreamlinedandisnowableto:
•Offercoaching,professionaldevelopmentandresourcestohelpearlylearningandcareprogramsprovidedevelopmentallyappropriateexperiencesandtokeepimprovingthequalityofthecaretheyprovideto children.
•Connectfamiliestoqualityearlylearningandcareprograms.
ERDCproviderswhoparticipateinSparkareeligibleforenhancedpaymentsonanon-goingbasis.BeingaratedprogramallowsaprogramtoreceiveamonthlybonuspaymentontopoftheirDivisionofHumanServicesreimbursement rates and reduces the copayment for familiesreceivingthesubsidy.
TheSpark2018revisionsmadesignificantchangesincluding:
•Reducingbarriersforprogramsservingchildrenfurthest from opportunity
•Changingparticipationrequirementsthatwilloffersupportforqualityimprovementstomoreprograms
•Reducingthenumberofstandards•Focusingmorestandardsonadult-childinteractions•Recognizingexperience,diverselanguagesandotherwaysprofessionalsarequalified
•Providingmoreonlineresourcesandsupport
Additional Support for Quality Improvement and Professional DevelopmentAspartofparticipatinginPreschoolPromise,OregonHeadStartPrekindergarten/HeadStart,EarlyHeadStartandBabyPromise,providershavespecificresourcesintheircontractsdedicatedtoqualitysupportsandadditionalprofessionaldevelopment.ProgramssuchasOregonHeadStartPre-Kindergarten/HeadStartalsohaveaccesstoadditionaltechnicalassistanceandqualityimprovementopportunities.Insomeareas,EarlyLearningHubsareplayingaroleinsupportingqualityimprovementsforPreschoolPromiseproviders.
In2019,thelegislatureallocated$12.5millionfromtheEarlyLearningAccountforthesecondyearofthebienniumtosupporttheprofessionaldevelopmentoftheearlylearningworkforce.ThelegislaturealsorequiredtheEarlyLearningDivisiontosubmitareportbyJanuary15,2020onthecurrentearlylearningprofessionaldevelopmentsystemandrecommendationsforhowthe$12.5millioninnewfundsshouldbeusedtobestaddresstheneedsoftheearlycareandeducationworkforce.
(Endnotes)i U.S.CensusBureau,AmericanCommunitySurvey(ACS),B23008,2016ii TarynW.Morrissey,“Childcareandparentallaborforceparticipation:A
reviewoftheresearch.”Review of Economics of the Household, 2017.iii “OregonEarlyLearningWorkforce:SixYearsBeyondBaselineComparison
of2012and2018,”OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,OregonStateUniversity.September2019.
iv “Oregon’sChildCareDeserts:MappingSupplybyAgeGroup,MetropolitanStatusandPercentageofPubliclyFundedSlots.”MeganPratt,MichaellaSektnanandRobertaWeber,”OregonStateUniversity.January2019.
v KatieHammandCarmelMartin,“ANewVisionforChildCareintheUnitedStates.”CenterforAmericanProgress.September2015.
vi https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/Pages/data-pa.aspx vii https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/occ/child_care_and_
development_block_grant_markup.pdfviii HannahMatthews,KarenSchulman,JulieVogtman,ChristineJohnson-
StaubandHelenBlank,“ImplementingtheChildCareDevelopmentBlockGrantReauthorization:AGuideforStates.”NationalWomen’sLawCenter.June2017.
ix NCCPIncomeConverterhttp://www.nccp.org/tools/converter/x Parentmeansaparentbyblood,marriageoradoption,legalguardian,or
otherpersonstandinginlocoparentisxi OAR461-155-0150xii OAR461-150-0090,461-150-0060xiii OAR461-160-0040(5)(b)xiv OAR461-135-0404xv OAR461-135-0415(1)xvi https://ccdf-fundamentals.icfcloud.com/alternative-methodologyxvii For current rates see https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/CHILD-
CARE/Pages/Rates.aspxxviii “OregonEarlyLearningWorkforce:SixYearsBeyondBaselineComparison
of2012and2018,”OregonChildCareResearchPartnership,OregonStateUniversity.September2019.
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division • December 201929
A report submitted by the Early Learning Division to the
Legislative Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Child Care
The State of Early Care & Education and Child Care Assistance in Oregon
December 2019