The State of Oregon has announced that they have now created a brand new state agency to oversee programs and services related to early learning and care throughout Oregon. The Department of Early Learning is now operational and they have provided the link for their new website.

“This is an historic step to ensure Oregon’s families and child care professionals get the resources, services, and programs they need to thrive,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, DELC Director. ”It positions our state as a leader in the early learning space. We know accessing child care is still a challenge for families, and our child care workers are facing multiple stressors. The launch of DELC is a milestone for our state, recognizing the importance of early learning and child care for Oregonians

The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3073 in 2021, heralding the transition towards the launch of DELC.

DELC says that the agency brings together the Early Learning Division (ELD) and Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program. ELD was a division of the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), and Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) was a program of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

“The best way to support whole communities is to serve the needs of children and families. Bringing ERDC into DELC allows us to center the needs of children and families first and foremost. DELC is in the opportune position to work with families and providers, and design systems built for and with them” said Chatterjee.

Certain ERDC changes also take effect as of July 1. Families can now receive cash assistance from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and get help paying for child care from ERDC at the same time.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The State says that the current TANF child care program will end because ERDC will provide those families more flexible child care assistance.

The State also says there will be fewer reasons for child care assistance to end mid-certification. They say most cases will now stay open a minimum of 12 months. Cases will no longer close if a family is not connected to a child care provider.

ERDC benefits will now supposedly continue if a caretaker loses their job or stops attending school.

Early Learning Division (ELD) staff will transition from ODE to DELC and the ERDC program and staff (including the Direct Pay Unit) will transition from ODHS to DELC.

“DELC Is honored to support Oregon families and child care professionals through this unified agency. We thank our partners, supporters, child care professionals, and families for being part of the work to make Oregon’s early learning and care system as strong as possible. We are committed to continue working together to best meet the needs of children, families, and child care professionals across the state,” said Chatterjee.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-07-15 19:15:07

Last Update: 2023-07-15 19:39:46