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Rulemaking Advisory Committees

Rulemaking Advisory Committees

Overview

Rulemaking Advisory Committees (RACs) are made up of community members who provide crucial guidance in the rule writing process. RAC members provide input and suggestions for rulemaking while considering equity and fiscal impacts. “Rules” are laws that participants in Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) programs must apply and follow, such as requirements for Oregon Pre-Kindergarten program or licensed child care. Apply to join a RAC and help shape early learning programs in Oregon.

RACs meet between two and four times over the course of a month and members are provided compensation for participation. At this time, RACs are only held virtually. Listed on the right side of the page are RACs that are currently recruiting or meeting. If you see a RAC listed, but applications are closed, you can provide feedback by reaching out to the staff contact listed.    

ACCESSIBILITY

For individuals with disabilities, individuals who speak a language other than English, or individuals who need technical assistance, ELD can provide assistance. See staff contact information.

Certified Child Care Centers
Rules Advisory Committee
 

Find the most updated rule language on the ELD calendar. Note: Rule language is draft and subject to change. 

Summary: The Certified Child Care Centers Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) was created to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules and identify financial and equity effects that might result from the proposed updates. The rules will be implemented on January 1, 2024. In the last decade, there have been many changes in licensing and health and safety practices that are not reflected in the current CC rule set. The updates to the certified center rule set include updates to align with the best practices in the field and remove barriers for child care providers and staff to potentially increase child care capacity.  

Process: The ELD has initiated this rule change in response to feedback from the field. After completion of the listening sessions, a community rule revision workgroup was convened to develop rule language to address the barriers identified in the listening sessions. Members of the workgroup identified several fiscal and operational impacts. OCC made modifications of draft rules to remove or minimize these impacts. The Rulemaking Advisory Committee will be held in April and May of 2023. Selection will include representatives from across the state, including those from small businesses/child care centers.

These are the RAC Members who help with this language

Corina Perez
Child Care Resource & Referral, Eastern Oregon 

Debbie Radie
Child Care Providers, Boardman 

Stephanie Lilly
Child Care Providers, Coos Bay 

Grace Dietrich
Parent, Advocates, Portland Metro 

Liz Farrar Campbell
Parent, Advocates, Gilliam County 

Angie Benson
Child Care Providers, Portland Metro 

Tara Papandrew
Child Care Providers, Culturally Specific Organization/Community Based Program, Portland Metro 

Valentina Brichuk
Child Care Providers, Culturally Specific Organization/Community Based Program, Salem 

Carrie Graber
Child Care Providers, Eugene 

Melissa Scott
Child Care Providers, Hillsboro 

Micalene Stafford
Tribal Nations Representative, Warm Springs 

Jessi Cordero
Child Care Providers, Southern Oregon 

Rod Belknap
Early Learning Hub, Eastern Oregon 

Becca Ellis
Child Care Providers, Bend 

Judy Werkheiser
Child Care Providers, Statewide 

Kara Parris
Child Care Providers, Washington County 

RAC Meeting Agendas and Notes
  • Certified Child Care RAC Notes
    April 27, 2023 Meeting Notes:
    May 5, 2023 Meeting Notes:
    May 12, 2023 Meeting Notes:
    May 19, 2023 Meeting Notes:
    June 2, 2023 Meeting Notes:

If you have questions, please contact Abby Strom at abby.strom@ode.oregon.gov.

Watch the public hearing from Thursday, June 1, 2023
Read the public hearing officer’s report.

Rules Public Hearing: Employment Related Day Care Program Ruleset

Hearing was Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. See video of the hearing below, and read the hearing officer’s report.

ERDC RAC Archive

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION 

The Oregon Early Learning Division is seeking applicants for the Employment Related Day Care Program Transition Rulemaking Advisory Committee

You are invited to attend information sessions and to participate in the rulemaking process!  

The Oregon Early Learning Division will host a five-meeting series for community partners and the public to learn about the transition of the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program to the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). The sessions will also include an opportunity to participate in a Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) to adopt ERDC-related rules.  

The first two meetings in the series serve as an orientation to the Employment Related Day Care program (ERDC) and how it will work after it moves to DELC. Everyone is welcome to attend these sessions! The meetings will cover:   

  • What is ERDC?  
  • Why is it moving to DELC?  
  • Will families and providers interact with the program differently?  
  • What will rulemaking and policy engagement look like for ERDC under DELC?  

The meetings will be at:
4 p.m. Feb. 23
4 p.m. March 2.
To attend, join via Zoom

The remaining three meetings will be Rulemaking Advisory Committee meetings, led jointly by ODHS and ELD, to review the repeal of ERDC from ODHS rules and the adoption of ERDC rules under DELC.   

There will not be an application process to participate in the RAC; individuals who are interested in participating can sign up at the bottom of this message to be a committee member. Individuals who participate in the RAC are strongly encouraged to attend the two informational sessions. Attendance at the RAC meetings will be reimbursable at the rate of $50 per meeting.  

These meetings will be at:
9 a.m. March 9
4 p.m. March 16
4 p.m. March 23

AN ADDITIONAL MEETING HAS BEEN ADDED
4 p.m. April 3

We hope to have diverse voices within the RAC to represent communities within Oregon’s Early Learning System. Committee members may include:  

  • Families 
  • Child care providers  
  • Representatives from advocacy organizations  
  • Representatives from culturally specific, community-based organizations  
  • Early Learning Hub representatives  
  • Child Care Resource & Referral representatives  
  • Tribal Nations representatives  

Select your preferred language to sign up as a committee member on the Rules Advisory Committee:

You will be provided a Zoom link for the RAC meetings via email after you have signed up, and before the first meeting. 

If you have questions, please contact Jordan Pargeter at jordan.pargeter@ode.oregon.gov.   

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION 

The Oregon Early Learning Division is seeking applicants for the new Program Process Rulemaking Committee (RAC) 

Oregon Pre-Kindergarten, Preschool Promise, and the Early Childhood Equity Fund are all grant programs managed by the Early Learning Division. Early care and education providers apply to the Early Learning Division for funding through these grant programs in order to provide early learning services to low-income families across Oregon.
The Program  Process Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who will help agency staff update how providers apply to the grant programs, as well as how providers receive funds from the Early Learning Division.  

Apply today to help make it easier for early learning providers to work with the state!  

We are seeking diverse voices to represent groups within Oregon’s Early Learning system. Committee members may include: 

  • Representatives from advocacy organizations 
  • Representatives from culturally specific, community-based organizations  
  • Early Learning Hub representatives  
  • Child Care Resource & Referral representatives  
  • ECE program representatives 
  • Tribal Nations representatives 

Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact Oregon’s children, families, early learning programs, and communities. The RAC meeting will be held the week of February 27, 2023. There is only one anticipated meeting of this RAC. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 10, 2023 

Click your preferred language to apply:

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? Please contact:

Remy Watts

Early Learning Council Administrator & Rule Coordinator
O: 971.701.1535

Fire Safety Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The Fire Safety Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who help agency staff shape rule language for fire safety in family child care programs. The Early Learning Division recently passed permanent fire safety rules to serve as an alternative to the Department of Consumer Business Services sprinkler requirement.

At this time, the Fire Safety RAC is closed. Thank you to the committee members who helped craft the final rules.

  • Vanessa Brown – Certified Family in Klamath Falls, OCCPT Central Regional Director
  • Anneliese Sheahan – Certified Family Portland Metro, previous RAC experience
  • Megan Patterson – Director of Center in Mount Angel. 20+ years in the field. First RAC – 23rd year as volunteer fire fighter
  • Ruth Parra – Child care provider for 20+ years in Beaverton
  • Shelia Ward – Certified Family provider for 30 years, part of Oregon shared service alliance. First RAC.
  • Regan Gray – Child Care Policy Advisor for Family Forward
  • Kelly Scales – Policy Analyst for OCC, rules work recently
  • Remy Watts – Rule Coordinator, ELC administrator
  • Alana Cox – Building Codes Division
  • Alicia Gardiner – Acting OCC Director
  • Abby Strom – OCC Regional Manager
  • Aimee Olin – AFSCME

Questions? See staff contact information below.

State Contact

Kelly Scales

Child Care Initiatives Support Analyst
O: 971-304-4001

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) is a prevention-based approach to working with early care and education (ECE) programs to support young children’s social and emotional development. This approach has been shown to reduce rates of preschool suspension and expulsion. For more information about IECMHC programs, visit https://www.iecmhc.org/.

The IECMHC Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who are helping agency staff shape and implement rule language for the IECMHC system, including the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. Members will advise on requirements for ECE programs around suspension and expulsion.

At this time, the IECMHC RAC recruitment is closed. Thank you to the committee members who are helping craft the new rules:

  • Carrie Ruggles-AbrajanParent; Saint Helens
  • Blanca Aldama-MorganAFSCME Child Care Provider; Albany
  • Leslee Barnes DirectorPreschool & Early Learning, Multnomah County; Portland
  • Micki FabianMental Health Service Coordinator, Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start; Pendleton
  • Lydia Gray-HolifieldParent; Portland
  • Jennifer HookQIS Training & Training Manager, Blue Mountain CCR&R; Umatilla, Union & Morrow Counties
  • Zakkiyya IbrahimDirector, Education Explorers; Tigard
  • Martina Jallad Quality Improvement Specialist, Washington County CCR&R; Hillsboro
  • Erin Kinavey-WennerstromExecutive Director, Oregon Infant Mental Health Association; Eugene
  • Marsha La VerneDirector, Family Development Center; Roseburg
  • Hadiyah MillerAfrican American Family Childcare Network Coordinator, Multnomah County CCR&R, Portland
  • Ashley NewsomParent; Hillsboro
  • Amber OldridgeAFSCME Child Care Provider; Grants Pass
  • Dominic PazMentor Coach & Outreach Coordinator, Center for Healthy Children & Families, Oregon State University; Portland
  • Lauren SigmanEarly Learning Coordinator, Linn-Benton-Lincoln Early Learning Hub; Newport
  • Molly WilliamsonExecutive Director, FACT Oregon; Portland

Questions? See staff contact information below.

State Contact

Remy Watts

Early Learning Council Administrator & Rule Coordinator
O: 971.701.1535

School-Age Child Care Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The School-Age Child Care Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who help agency staff shape and implement rule language for school-age child care programs. This type of care is also known as out-of-school-time (OST) care and before- and afterschool care programs.

At this time, the School-Age Child Care RAC recruitment is closed. Thank you to the committee members who are helping craft the new rules:

  • Ashley Thrasher
  • Candice Henkin
  • Kristy Heitling
  • Amy Harboldt
  • Beth Unverzagt
  • Regan Gray
  • Caitlin Calip
  • Holly Kriz Anderson
  • Darcie Torres
  • Serena Gillson
  • Amanda Fly
  • Marcus Vela
  • Nayeli Samaniego
  • Jon Myers

Questions? See staff contact information below.

State Contact

Kelly Scales

Child Care Initiatives Support Analyst
O: 971-304-4001

Archive

Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Certified Child Care Centers Rules Advisory Committee

Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Certified Child Care Centers Rules Advisory Committee

The Early Learning Division’s Office of Child Care (OCC) will be updating the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Certified Child Care Centers. OCC will create a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules and identify financial and equity effects that might result from the proposed updates. 

The ELD would like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in the RAC: 

  • Directors/representatives from certified child care centers from across the state 
  • Parents/family members of children in these types of programs 
  • Community partners working with young children in child care settings 
  • Early Learning Hub representatives 
  • Tribal nation representatives 
  • Child Care Resource and Referral representatives 

Participants will be compensated for their time and insights. The application period opens March 20 and closes April 14. RAC meetings—approximately five are planned—will run late April through May.  

To apply for the Certified Child Care Center Rules Advisory Committee, go to

If you have questions, please contact Abby Strom at abby.strom@ode.oregon.gov.

Las Reglas Administrativas de Oregon (OAR) para los Centros de Cuidado Infantil Certificados un Comité Asesor de Reglas

La Oficina de Cuidado Infantil (OCC, por sus siglas en inglés) de la División del Aprendizaje Temprano actualizará las Reglas Administrativas de Oregon (OAR, por sus siglas en inglés) para los Centros de Cuidado Infantil Certificados. La OCC creará un Comité Asesor de Reglas (RAC, por sus siglas en inglés) para recopilar comentarios valiosos sobre las reglas propuestas e identificar los efectos financieros y de equidad que podrían resultar de las actualizaciones propuestas. 

El ELD desea invitar a los miembros de los siguientes grupos a solicitar participar en el RAC: 

  • Directores/representantes de centros de cuidado infantil certificados de todo el estado 
  • Padres o familiares de niños que participan en este tipo de programas 
  • Socios de la comunidad que trabajan con niños pequeños en entornos de cuidado infantil 
  • Representantes del centro de aprendizaje temprano 
  • Representantes de naciones tribales 
  • Representantes de recursos y referencias de cuidado infantil 

Los participantes serán compensados por su tiempo y aportes. El periodo de solicitud se abre el 20 de marzo y se cierra el 14 de abril. Las reuniones del RAC —aproximadamente cinco están previstas— se llevarán a cabo desde finales de abril hasta mayo.  

Para presentar su solicitud para el Comité Asesor de Reglas para los Centros de Cuidado Infantil Certificado, vaya a

Si tiene alguna pregunta, póngase en contacto con abby.strom@ode.oregon.gov.

ERDC And Recorded Programs Central Background Registry Rulemaking Advisory Committee

Employer-Related Day Care and Recorded Programs
Central Background Registry Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC)

In June of 2022, the Early Learning Council (ELC) adopted temporary rules in response to HB 4005 and SB 1547. These bills and the subsequent statutes expanded background check requirements for those working and/or living in recorded preschool, recorded school-age and ERDC programs. All staff, volunteers, household members, and those who may have unsupervised contact with children must be enrolled in the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) Central Background Registry (CBR). The ELC will review proposed permanent CBR rule language in December 2022.

The CBR RAC is a group of community members who will provide feedback on the proposed rule language and input on the fiscal and equity effects of CBR enrollment requirements for adults working in recorded and subsidized child care programs.

At this time, the Employer-Related Day Care and Recorded Programs Central Background Registry Rulemaking Advisory Committee recruitment is closed. Thank you for your interest.

Questions? See staff contact information below.

State Contact

Remy Watts

Early Learning Council Administrator & Rule Coordinator
O: 971.701.1535

Call for Participation

EMPLOYER-RELATED DAY CARE AND RECORDED PROGRAMS
CENTRAL BACKGROUND REGISTRY RULEMAKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (RAC)

Application Deadline October 7, 2022

In June of 2022, the Early Learning Council (ELC) adopted temporary rules in response to HB 4005 and SB 1547. These bills and the subsequent statutes expanded background check requirements for those working and/or living in recorded preschool, recorded school-age and ERDC programs. All staff, volunteers, household members, and those who may have unsupervised contact with children must be enrolled in the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) Central Background Registry (CBR). The ELC will review proposed permanent CBR rule language in December 2022.

The CBR RAC is a group of community members who will provide feedback on the proposed rule language and input on the fiscal and equity effects of CBR enrollment requirements for adults working in recorded and subsidized child care programs.

If interested in participating, please complete the folloing application and submit by OCTOBER 7, 2022. RAC meetings will be conducted in late October and early November.

Questions? See staff contact information below.

State Contact

Remy Watts

Early Learning Council Administrator & Rule Coordinator
O: 971.701.1535
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC)
Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) is a prevention-based approach to working with early care and education (ECE) programs to support young children’s social and emotional development. This approach has been shown to reduce rates of preschool suspension and expulsion. For more information about IECMHC programs, visit https://www.iecmhc.org/.

The IECMHC Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who will help agency staff shape and implement rule language for the IECMHC system, including the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. Members will advise on requirements for ECE programs around suspension and expulsion. Apply today and help build an anti-racist, equity-focused IECMHC system.

We are seeking diverse voices to represent groups within Oregon’s Early Learning system. Committee members may include:

  • Parents and families of young children who have experienced suspension and expulsion
  • Parents and families of young children experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or long-term special health care needs
  • Representatives from advocacy organizations
  • Representatives from culturally specific, community-based organizations
  • Early Learning Hub representatives
  • Child Care Resource & Referral representatives
  • ECE program representatives
  • Tribal Nations representatives

Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact Oregon’s children, families, early learning programs, and communities. RAC meetings will begin the week of April 25, 2022. RAC meetings will be virtual, with a minimum of two meetings required for members.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 8, 2022

To apply, complete the RAC application form below and email it to remy.watts@ode.oregon.gov or mail a hardcopy to: Rules Advisory Committees C/O ELD, 700 Summer St NE Suite #350, Salem, OR 97301.

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation RAC
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Baby Promise Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The Baby Promise Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who will help agency staff shape and implement rule language for new Baby Promise programming.

Baby Promise is a publicly funded program offering free, high-quality early care and education for infants and toddlers from low-income families in Oregon.

At this time, the Baby Promise Rulemaking Advisory Committee recruitment is closed. Thank you for your interest in the Baby Promise RAC.

KPI Rulemaking Advisory Committee

KPI Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The KPI Rulemaking Advisory Committee is a group of community members who will help agency staff shape and implement rule language for KPI programming.

The Early Learning Kindergarten Readiness Partnership & Innovation program invests in promising models for connecting early learning and K-3 education across the state, and promotes community and school partnerships that result in measurable increases in children’s readiness for kindergarten.

At this time, the Kindergarten Readiness Partnership & Innovation Rulemaking Advisory Committee recruitment is closed. Thank you for your interest.

Questions? See staff contact information below.

State Contact

Remy Watts

Early Learning Council Administrator & Rule Coordinator
O: 971.701.1535
Fire Safety Rulemaking Advisory Committee

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Fire Safety Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The Fire Safety Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who help agency staff shape rule language for fire safety in family child care programs. The Early Learning Division recently passed temporary fire safety rules to serve as an alternative to the Department of Consumer Business Services sprinkler requirement.

If you are a licensed family child care provider, please consider applying to join this RAC. We are seeking diverse voices to serve on this committee including the following:

  • People from culturally specific organizations
  • Licensed family child care providers
  • Fire safety experts
  • Child Care Resource & Referral representatives
  • Parents/caregivers of children attending a family child care

Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact child care across Oregon.

WHEN AND WHERE:
The meetings will be virtual, with a minimum of one meeting, possibly two required for participants.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, March 11, 2022

To apply, complete the RAC application form below and email it to Kelly Scales.

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State Contact

Kelly Scales

Child Care Initiatives Support Analyst
O: 971-304-4001
School-Age Rulemaking Advisory Committee

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

School-Age Child Care Rulemaking Advisory Committee

The School-Age Child Care Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who help agency staff shape and implement rule language for school-age child care programs. This type of care is also known as out-of-school-time (OST) care and before- and afterschool care programs.

If you are connected to school-age child care programs, please consider applying to join this RAC. We are seeking diverse voices to serve on this committee:

  • People from culturally specific organizations providing (or interested in providing) school-age programming
  • School-age program educators
  • Child Care Resource & Referral representatives
  • Tribal Nations representatives
  • OST organization representatives
  • Parents of school-age children

Participants will be reimbursed for their time dedicated to this RAC and will positively impact child care across Oregon.

WHEN AND WHERE:
The meetings will be virtual, with a minimum of four meetings required for participants.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, March 18, 2022

To apply, complete the RAC application form below and email it to Kelly Scales.

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State Contact

Kelly Scales

Child Care Initiatives Support Analyst
O: 971-304-4001