In 2019, the Early Learning Division received a one-year Preschool Development Grant Birth through 5 (PDG B-5) from the Administration for Children and Families, in coordination with the Department of Education. The Early Learning Division contracted with Portland State University’s Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services and OSLC Developments, Inc. (ODI) to conduct the Oregon PDG B-5 Strengths Needs Assessment.   

Phase 1 of the project provided a county- and state-level collection of 53 key indicators related to understanding the early learning system, including service provided, child care access and availability, early childhood workforce characteristics, and community, family, and child-level risk and resiliency factors – see Oregon Preschool Development Grant Strengths & Needs Assessment.

Phase 2 aimed to better understand the early care and education system experiences, challenges, and hopes of Oregon families with young children. In particular, the project aimed to determine family identified barriers to and gaps in access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally responsive early childhood care and education opportunities – see reports on the Household Survey and Family Listening Sessions.