HomeMy WebLinkAboutEarly Learning Minutes_11 09 23Ashland Early Learning Ad Hoc Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: November 9, 2023
Location: 51 Winburn Way Ashland, OR 97520
Attendees:
• John Love
• Jessica Therkelsen
• Lisa Verner
• Paula Hyatt
Community Members:
• Michelle Keller
Staff:
• Alissa Kolodzinski
Meeting Convened at 4:00pm
Pannel Discussion of Employment Related Day Care Benefits
Presenters:
• Daniel Scotton, Eqqus Workforce Solutions
• Marta Tarantsey, Regional Economic Development Officer, Business Oregon
• Jim Rose, Oregon Department of Human Services
Mr. Scotton discussed his role at Eqqus Workforce Solutions and matching families with
employment.
• Key role - addressing barriers to gaining full employment.
• Barriers in Ashland Include: 1. Childcare 2. Housing 3. Transportation
• Month over month Mr. Scotton sees that families Eqqus works with are completely
work force ready EXCEPT for childcare.
• Sited key statistic for Ashland that as of 2021 9% of our population is comprised of
single parents. These families need care options.
• Ashland has provider issues and staffing issues with regard to programs having
adequate staff to provide service.
1. Staffing – working to address via partnerships with RCC/ SOU, micro
credentials.
2. According to Eqqus, childcare is an “in demand sector.”
3. Possible solution – Leverage the Bureau of Labor and Industry to So. Oregon for
apprenticeship programming.
Mr. Rose discussed Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) benefits offered by the state of
Oregon, NOT the employer.
• ERDC offers subsidization of childcare up to age 12.
• Applications are taken on-line, by phone or at a DHS location.
• Families are approved for a 12-month timeframe then must reapply.
• Qualification based on number of family members, what family members are
available to provide care and when, and income.
• ERDC is available to those employed AND seeking higher education.
• Once accepted the family pays a co pay for care.
• Providers must be certified to provide care by the ERD program before they may
accept the ERDC funds.
• State of Oregon recently hit the funding limit for the ERDC program and now has to
resort to a waitlist for benefits.
• Full discussion at the article https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/11/14/child-
care-program-facing-potential-123-million-shortfall-and-indefinite-waiting-
list/
Ms. Tarantsey discussed recent legislative action supporting early leaning and childcare.
• Last session $50M was appropriated for childcare infrastructure via grants and/ or
loans. Half will be released 2024 and half will be released in 2025.
• State funding comes from the lottery system.
• Funding mechanism is still in the rule making process. No direction yet on how to
apply.
• Concern about how this program will work given the life cycle of infrastructure funds
traditionally is 18years. How childcare programs will navigate this is yet to be seen.
• More to come. Business Oregon sees the vital need for care and recognizes its role in
aiding communities.
Update on Early Learning Grant Program Awards
• Staff provided an update on the status of the grant process.
• Currently awaiting legal feedback
• Update: press release issued 11/15/2023
Early Learning Environment – Full survey of programs complete
Next Steps, review and analyze the finding at the December meeting.
House Keeping
• Next meeting December 7, 2023 – Siskiyou Room 51 Winburn Way
• Virtual Event “Current Childcare Crisis” – Zoom, November 30th 12pm, registration
required.
Adjournment 5:30