Who are the Special Populations?
In Oregon, there are several government funded child care assistance programs for low-income families. One of the primary programs is the Employment-Related Day Care (ERDC) program operated by the Oregon Department of Human Services, which helps eligible working families pay for child care so they can work. Where the Special Populations Program comes in is for those families who do not qualify for ERDC or other public child care assistance services. It was created to address the gaps in assistance for four different populations:
- Teen parents who are participating in an approved high school or General Educational Development (GED) completion program and their children.
- Migrant and seasonal farmworker families.
- Parents participating in state-approved substance abuse treatment and their children.
- Families with children with disabilities or special needs.
Read below to learn more about the programs that support each of the populations and explore the program locator.
Teen Parents
Teen Parent Programs are based in high schools or ran by non-profit organizations serving pregnant or parenting teens age 21 and under who are actively pursuing high school completion. The programs offer child care and comprehensive parenting support services. There are over 30 school districts in Oregon with a Teen Parent Program.
Migrant and Seasonal
Migrant and Seasonal Programs provide child care services for Oregon’s farmworkers. The programs serve migrant population where the whole family moves at least once a year in order to obtain work. If the family chooses to settle as permanent Oregon residents, but is still employed seasonally in agricultural work, they can remain in the program for two additional years if all other eligibility criteria are met and the family does not qualify for subsidy with ERDC.
Alcohol and Drug
The Alcohol and Drug Program provides eligible parents receiving treatment at a state-licensed residential or outpatient alcohol and drug treatment program with child care services. Child care services are provided by the Alcohol and Drug Program on-site in conjunction with the treatment facility, or at a location near the treatment program so that parents can visit their children regularly.
Inclusive Child Care
Inclusive Child Care Program (ICCP) is a statewide program that provides access to appropriate child care services for families of children with disabilities or other special needs. The services are designed for children to be in inclusive child care settings with their peers. Services include: parent education, parent and provider partnership, and training for child care providers.
The program also provides financial assistance to qualifying families to help with the costs associated with accommodating children with disabilities or special needs in their child care setting. These are the two ways families can to take advantage of the additional financial assistance:
- For families who qualify for ERDC, they can apply for high needs rates with the Department of Human Services.
- For families who are over income for ERDC, the Special Populations Program provides additional financial assistance directly to the child’s provider on behalf of the qualifying family. Amount of reimbursement to the child care provide are individualized for each child based upon an assessment performed by the ICCP staff.
