Digging into Child Care Access in Oregon: Key Findings from Studies for the Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Child Care

Digging into Child Care Access in Oregon: Key Findings from Studies for the Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Child Care

October 13, 2020

Oregon Child Care and Education Researchers Roundtable, Day 1

Presenter: Megan Pratt, Ph.D., Oregon State University

This presentation focuses on barriers Oregon families face in accessing child care. Drawing from results from three studies conducted for Oregon’s Legislative Task Force on Access to Quality Affordable Child Care, the presentation describes reasons why many Oregon families struggle to find and use child care. These barriers have been intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the presentation documents how changes to the child care subsidy program rules have helped to ease parents and provider financial burden. The presentation also introduces a framework designed by national experts by which child care access can be defined, measured, and discussed. 

For more information see Oregon’s Legislative Task Force Reports:

• Supply and Demand in Oregon: How Equitable is Child Care Access?
• School-age Supply and Demand: Child Care Access and Equity
• Barriers to Accessing Child Care Subsidies in Oregon