Newsletter
Dear Early Learning Partners,
I hope that you have had a fantastic autumn so far and are looking forward to the fast-approaching holiday season.
As we close on an incredible year for Early Learning in Oregon, I can’t help but to reflect on the achievements that we have all contributed to this year. Of all the work we did together in 2015, I am most in awe of the historic level of investment we were able to secure to support child care subsidy, preschool and home visiting services in our state. At the same time, we made the case for investments in the development of our system through Early Learning Hubs and our kindergarten partnership and innovation fund. This new funding is a testament to the hard work you all do every day and I’m consistently humbled by getting to be a part of it with you.
In this month’s Early Learning at Work newsletter, we’re excited to share good news about early learning efforts around our state and within our Division.
Recently, the South Coast Early Learning Hub was featured in the news – showcasing the incredible work that has been done in that region as the Hub itself has come into fruition.
This fall we’ve added to our Division team as well embraced staffing transitions. In September we welcomed Karol Collymore as our Early Learning Division Public Affairs Director. In October, our Oregon Pre-Kindergarten Specialist, Gwyn Bachtle, transitioned into the role of the Preschool Promise Program Coordinator. Dawn Woods, previously the Quality Improvement Director, has accepted the position as Interim Child Care Director.
Over the past few months we put together a video series for our staff to highlight the various programs that we have within our Division. One video in particular I’d like to share with you is a conversation with our Early Learning Division Hub Managers as they highlight the work that’s been done with our Early Learning Hubs in the past two years. If you want to know more about where the Hubs are (and the measures they’re responsible for) you can read our 2015 report here.
We are also in the beginning stages of rolling out our Mixed-Delivery Preschool System in Oregon, Preschool Promise. House Bill 3380 has allowed Oregon to take a significant step towards expanding access to preschool and supporting children to succeed in school and in life.
From all of us here at the Early Learning Division, have a wonderful holiday season! We’ll see you in 2016.