During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Oregon Legislature passed bills that provide funding for two important investments in Oregon’s earliest learners.

House Bill 3232 established the Oregon Early Reading Program, which includes funds to be directed by the Early Learning Council for the purpose of strengthening early literacy among children ages 0-6 and with the intention of improving children’s kindergarten readiness and third grade reading proficiency. House Bill 2013 created the Early Learning Kindergarten Readiness Partnership & Innovation Fund, which is also directed by the Early Learning Council, and which will provide funding for communities to pilot innovative approaches for linking early learning and kindergarten.

We anticipate that the requests for proposal for each of these programs will open in early 2014. Please check back in this space for additional information and updates. If you have questions about either of these two strategic investments, please contact Brett Walker, Early Learning Initiatives Coordinator, in the Early Learning Division. Brett can be reached by email at brett.walker@state.or.us or by phone at 503.378.5160.