Early Care and Education

 
 

Who we are

Decades of research have shown that the first five years of a child’s life are critical brain building years that shape our children's futures. Quality early childhood experiences are predictors of health, happiness, growth, development, learning achievement at school and lifelong employment. The mission of the Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) is to support all of Oregon’s young children and families to learn and thrive. We are preparing our children for Kindergarten, helping to create stable and attached families, and bringing services for children and families together statewide.

While there is no formal Early Childhood sector, we work collaboratively across many organizations to engage families and communities as part of our mission of supporting all of Oregon’s young children and families to thrive and meet their goals. The resources below need to work collaboratively to reduce parent stressors such as poverty, child care, diaper scarcity, behavioral challenges, housing and food insecurity and more, so that parents and caregivers can access the right resources at the right time for their unique family.  

What we do

Early Childhood Education and other complimentary family services and supports prepare children for kindergarten by addressing their health, educational, social, and emotional needs. A variety of programs are available in Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties and are connected through unique partnerships among the Early Learning Hubs and county divisions across the region.

Connecting to Services

Each county has a diverse array of maternal, child and family supports and services, that are often changing based on the needs of each community. A common connection point for many families is their medical provider, such as their pediatrician, obstetrician or other family health care provider. Families often engage in prenatal care and their young children have contact with a pediatric clinician during routine well child visits. During these visits caregivers conduct screening and surveillance and can refer an expecting family or child to services and supports. In an effort to organize and simplify this complex set of resources, the Early Learning Hubs, Health Share and county partners have established Help Me Grow as a free and confidential centralized access point for all families, health providers, and community service providers in the tri-county region, offering connection to local services for prenatal families and families with young children.  

Help Me Grow (HMG)

Parents, guardians, community members, clinicians and service providers (such as child care providers, preschool teachers, health care and medical providers and DHS and other social service providers) can access Help Me Grow as the first place to seek support and information regarding pregnancy, healthy child development, and family wellness. HMG also has deep expertise in early childhood development. HMG maintains a current directory of available services, creating an interconnected system of existing programs that provide direct services. Families benefit as HMG listens to them, links them to services, and provides ongoing support. HMG also closes the feedback loop with families, clinicians and other service providers, ensuring the family’s needs have been met and supporting coordination of services across the clinical and early learning service array.

Contact Help Me Grow or by calling 833-868-4769. 

Resource Links