Tell Our Elected Leaders: Fund Child Care Now

The hard work of thousands of parents, providers, workers and business leaders has helped us expand access to child care for more families across Oregon—but unfortunately, in 2023 lawmakers chose to drastically underfund an essential child care program, Employment Related Day Care (ERDC).

Now the state has a historic budget surplus. And just a fraction of these resources, could fully address the projected shortfall and end the waitlist. With the 2024 Legislative Session fast approaching, we now have the opportunity to restore funding for ERDC and help more families who are struggling to afford child care.

Our families deserve better: Take Action.

Our Wins: 2022

In 2022, we passed a historic $100M investment in child care for Oregon families and providers.

PASSED! Child Care for Oregon Priority Bill (HB 4005)

• Increases the amount of money providers who accept Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) subsidies receive per child, getting to more equitable rates; this will also increase purchasing power for parents who utilize ERDC.

• Rate increases go into effect on June 1, 2022.

PASSED! Child Care Emergency Response Package (budget request)

• Provides $21 million for direct relief payments of $500 each to currently-working child care workers, one payment in 2022 and one in 2023

• Ensures $39.3 million to recruit and train new child care providers, and provide direct grants to expand existing facilities of all types

• Grants $3.6M for the Department of Early Learning & Care to make our public child care system more equitable and beneficial for parents and providers

What does this mean for Oregon child care providers and parents?

• Capacity building grants are expected to create between 6,000-7,000 new child care slots across the state through support for over 275 new or existing child care providers.

• Thousands of child care providers will see 18-20% rate increases for ERDC families.

• Our best estimates as of now show about 18,000 $500 payments each year (2022 and 2023) to child care providers and workers across the state.

Support for Rural and Indigenous Oregonians

As part of our $100 million child care package, the following investments were secured for our rural and Indigenous communities:

• $1.2 million for Euvalcree in Malheur county to open a childcare center with 30 slots and to use that center as a training ground for providers who want to open in home spots after they complete their training.

• $8.2 million for NeighborImpact, a non-profit that serves economically disadvantaged residents of Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, as well as members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

• $7.9 million for AFSCME to do capacity building with licensed in-home providers who are the most common provider type in rural areas.

These policies were championed by…