CHILD CARE CRISIS: TAKE ACTION
November 3: Deadline to Enroll in Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)
The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care recently announced that due to recent budget cuts, families who qualify for the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) subsidy must now apply by November 3 or they will be added to a waitlist.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
The waitlist is just the latest development in Oregon’s child care crisis, following decades of underinvestment. More working parents are struggling to find affordable, reliable, and high-quality child care. And at the same time, child care providers – who have their own families to support – are doing this critical work for very low pay.
For families unable to afford child care, Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) is a critical program that helps families make ends meet. Without assistance, child care costs can easily exceed 50% of these families’ income. And although more and more families are seeking support, Oregon legislators recently passed a budget that deeply underfunded child care — meaning ERDC will have fewer spots available to thousands of working families who may qualify for the program.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Spread the word about the November 3 deadline and help us advocate for additional investments to support more of our families. Share your family’s child care story or take our pledge and help us fight to expand access to affordable child care.
Our leaders need to hear from you.
NOVEMBER 3 DEADLINE: WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
Due to underfunding by the legislature and increased demand, Oregon’s Department of Early Learning and Care announced that ERDC enrollment will close on November 3. Most families that apply after the deadline will be added to a waitlist (*see below for exemptions). Waitlisted families may anticipate up to an 18-month waiting period.
If you think your family may qualify, we strongly encourage you to visit Oregon.gov/delc/erdc and apply by 11:59 p.m. on November 3, 2023.
How to apply for ERDC:
Visit One.Oregon.gov – or – visit a local office
Call 1-800-699-9075
Text the keyword “children” to 898211
If you are getting ERDC benefits now, the closure will not affect you. You will continue to receive support.
More about ERDC
ERDC is an essential subsidy program that helps thousands of parents in Oregon who are working, in school or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) afford child care. Learn more about the program and apply here.
DOES MY FAMILY QUALIFY FOR ERDC?
You may qualify if you are employed or you are employed and going to school, and your household earns under 250% FPL for a family of four. That equals a monthly salary of about $5,899 in salary or wages.
After being approved for ERDC, you may continue to get this financial assistance if you are searching for work after a job loss, if you need to take medical leave, or for military transitions. Learn more here.
Many types of providers take ERDC subsidies. Some people use ERDC to pay a family member, friend or neighbor to provide child care for them. If you receive ERDC, you can identify someone in your life who will be providing care to your child and they can register as a provider with the ERDC program. Then the child care financial aid you receive will go to them, so they can help support you and your child’s learning during this time.
* Some families with specific needs will have access to ERDC while the waitlist is in effect. These families include:
Families recently or currently receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – or – Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors (TA-DVS)
Families referred by the Child Welfare division of the Oregon Department of Human Services
Families reapplying for ERDC within two months of benefits ending
Families interested in ERDC may also qualify for other support programs. To learn about other early learning and child care programs, visit Oregon.gov/delc/erdc. Or dial 211 to learn more about child care resources available in your local area.
CHILD CARE CRISIS: TAKE ACTION
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Share your story
If you are a parent, caregiver, child care provider or worker, we want to hear from you! What has your experience been like trying to find or provide care in Oregon?
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Sign up to volunteer
There are many ways to volunteer, from letter writing, to making phone calls, to testifying about legislation that will make an impact for parents and providers.
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Contact lawmakers
State lawmakers need to hear directly from you! Email them today and tell them how the child care crisis is impacting you. Together, we can make change happen.