Building Better Futures - Policy Opportunities in Early Care and Education
Thoughtful, well-informed policies are key to transforming ECE environments throughout Oregon and for creating a solid foundation for our children
Supporting Those Who Care
What we need to get you what you need.
Child care providers get it.
You’re already undertaking some of the hardest, most vital work in the state. You understand the need for more access to high-quality child care in the state, and you’re eager to meet that need. But you can’t do it alone.
That’s where we come in.
Our goal is to get you the funds and expert guidance you need not just to stabilize the services you currently provide but to scale and expand those services to even more children in need of care.
Who Qualifies
Funding in the form of grants and loans is available to eligible providers and school districts planning to operate facilities that will either increase the number of slots available for Preschool for All (PFA) in Multnomah County, or that will be co-located within an affordable housing development in Oregon.
Multnomah County Preschool for All (PFA) Facilities Fund
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for funding:
- Project is located within Multnomah County;
- Currently participating—or planning to participate—in PFA;
- 3+ years of leadership experience within early care and education;
- Program meets all Multnomah County funding eligibility requirements;
- Current child care licensing is either currently in good standing, or will be returned to good standing as a result of funding.
Oregon Housing & Community Services Child Care (OHCS) Co-location Fund
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for funding:
- Project is located within the state of Oregon;
- A year or more of experience operating a child care program;
- Current program accepts at least one type of subsidy (ERDC, PFA, Baby Promise, etc.);
- Project will result in a program that accepts at least one type of subsidy (ERDC, PFA, Baby Promise, etc.);
- The co-located affordable housing development is or will be financed through OHCS;
- Current child care licensing is either currently in good standing, or will be returned to good standing as a result of the funding.
Serious, valid licensing violations over the previous 3 years will be taken into consideration as part of the intake and funding application process. Past violations could result in a project being deemed ineligible.
Developers
Are you using OHCS funding or financing on your affordable housing development and seeking to co-locate an early care and education facility in your building(s)? You may also be eligible for funding if the child care provider you partner with meets the eligibility criteria.
Our Focus
BuildUp Oregon is focusing on, at its discretion, eligible projects that meet at least one of the following criteria:
- PFA providers whose projects will rectify urgent health and safety issues affecting licensure;
- PFA providers looking to renovate current site(s);
- PFA providers with plans to expand facilities to offer new PFA spaces;
- Providers actively pursuing PFA qualification to create new PFA spaces;
- Projects that are co-located within or on the grounds of affordable housing; and/or
- Projects with urgent timelines.
Other Priorities
Depending on funding availability, BuildUp Oregon may also elect to consider projects that meet at least one of following criteria:
- Are located in an area with a high shortfall in slots;
- Are located in a Qualified Census Tract;
- Serve infants and toddlers;
- Specialize in serving children with disabilities;
- Specialize in culturally and/or linguistically responsive programming; and/or
- Operate outside non-traditional hours.
Looking for funding for your next project?
On the Blog
Dig deeper into the success stories and impact of BuildUp Oregon, hear from other voices in the child care community, and get the latest news on funding, policy developments and more on our blog.
