EMERGENCY BACKGROUND CHECKS
On June 7, 2021, ELD paused accepting Emergency Background Check (EBC) applications. No new EBC applications will be accepted as ELD resumes the typical Central Background Registry (CBR) enrollment processes. However, individuals with EBC approval may continue employment in child care beyond June 28, 2021 while they apply for enrollment in the Central Background Registry (CBR).
After August 31, 2021, individuals must be conditionally or actively enrolled in the CBR in order to be employed at a licensed child care program. The CBR enrollment process can be lengthy, and we encourage individuals to submit their CBR applications as soon as possible to avoid delays. Click here for more information on the requirements for enrolling in the Central Background Registry.
In order to enroll in the CBR you can apply online or download an application at https://oregonearlylearning.com/providers-educators/providers-educatorscbr/. The application is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Please contact us with questions at 503-947-1400 or 1-800-556-6616
EMERGENCY CHILD CARE APPLICATIONS
On June 7, 2021, ELD paused accepting applications to operate an Emergency Child Care (ECC) facility. No new ECC facility applications will be accepted as ELD prepares to return to the agency’s standard licensing process, as required by Oregon law. However, ECC facilities, including Temporary Unlicensed ECC, may continue operating beyond June 28, 2021 while considering potential next steps.
This will affect operations for licensed, recorded, and temporary unlicensed ECC facilities in different ways. Please see details below:
Licensed child care including Certified Center, Certified Family, and Registered Family Child Care:
- In the coming days, the ELD will be publishing advisory guidance for health and safety practices moving forward. This guidance will be recommended, not required, and will not be subject to oversight by the Office of Child Care (OCC). Existing COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines will no longer be in effect when this new advisory guidance is issued.
- The ELD will be working with the Early Learning Council on June 24, 2021 to approve temporary rules for licensed programs that would allow continued use of hand sanitizer in certain circumstances, expanded use of Aide 2 staff, as well as allowing a transition time for online CPR training to meet licensing requirements.
- The requirement for a licensed program to be approved as an ECC facility will end shortly after June 28, 2021.
- As of June 29, 2021, any licensed program with an active license, that was not previously approved to operate as an ECC facility, will be permitted to operate.
Temporary Unlicensed ECC:
- Temporary Unlicensed ECC facilities should expect to end operations as of August 31, 2021.
- On June 7, 2021, ELD paused accepting Temporary Unlicensed ECC applications. No new Temporary Unlicensed ECC applications will be accepted as we prepare to resume licensing processes on June 29, 2021.
- The ELD will publish advisory guidance for health and safety practices moving forward. This guidance is recommended, not required, and will not be subject to OCC oversight.
- Programs must continue to operate within the health and safety standards outlined in the Temporary Unlicensed Emergency Child Care checklist.
- The chart included in the June 22 letter below provides specific guidance on how to prepare for this transition.
Recorded Programs approved as ECC and operating in their recorded program capacity:
- The requirement to be approved as an ECC facility will end on June 28, 2021.
- The ELD will publish advisory guidance for health and safety practices moving forward. This guidance is recommended and not subject to OCC oversight.
The ELD will contact existing ECC facilities regarding potential next steps and considerations moving forward. If you have any questions regarding applications, please email OCC.CustomerService@state.or.us.
