In 2020, The Ford Family Foundation commissioned the report Child Care in Rural Oregon. Led by Louise Stoney, a nationally recognized expert in early childhood care and education, the research investigated the economic impact of Oregon’s child care policies on rural families and child care businesses.
   
Since then, much has changed. Oregon has weathered a pandemic, sworn in a new governor, and created a new state agency, the Department of Early Learning and Care. Despite this progress, many families—particularly in rural Oregon—remain underserved by the child care system.
   
 This follow-up report, details progress and prevailing challenges across the five strategic recommendations:
   1. Use a cost-based model to calculate subsidy rates
   2. Lower family copayments
   3. Stabilize funding for child care programs
   4. Support child care providers through shared services alliances
   5. Adjust licensing regulations to support new and mixed models of care