Oregon learned this week that it was not selected to receive a Race to the Top–Preschool Development Grant. The grant would have funded high-quality preschool for an additional 1,365 income-eligible children in Oregon.

The model outlined in Oregon’s grant application relied on Head Start, private preschools, community-based organizations and schools to coordinate preschool services in their communities. This mixed-delivery model creates more accessible options for families and builds upon the existing resources within a community.

“While we are disappointed that we were not selected to receive this grant, we are proud of the application we put together. We will continue to build upon the mixed-delivery model outlined in grant and pursue other funding avenues for providing high-quality preschool to underserved children in Oregon,” said Megan Irwin, Acting Early Learning System Director.

The Governor’s Requested Budget includes an investment of about $30 million to create a mixed-delivery preschool model to reach more underserved children in Oregon.

There was good news for three of our state’s Head Start programs this morning. Umatilla Morrow Head Start, Mt. Hood Community College and the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, Inc will all likely receive Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership and Early Head Start Expansion grants. The grant amounts are still in negotiation and additional grantees may be announced through March of next year. We are thrilled for our Head Start partners and look forward to supporting the implementation of these grants.

Learn more about Oregon’s grant submission here and the Preschool Development Grant announcement here.