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If you (or someone you know!) want to make Oregon the BEST place to be a kid, join our team—we’re hiring a Grants Coordinator! ✏️This position will spearhead grant writing and donor communications as Children’s Institute continues to grow its impact. The candidate will also have a strong commitment to advancing racial and economic justice while working to build and strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Submit your application by 5 pm on June 8, 2023. Apply now! Link in bio.#hiringnow #grantwriting #earlyeducationjobs #advocacyjobs #earlychildhoodjobs
In this episode of the Early Link podcast, Rafael Otto joins Abby Couture and Sunny Bennett, principal and preschool teacher at Clemens Primary School. Abby and Sunny discuss their stories of getting started in education as well as their positive experience as part of Children's Institute's Early Learning Academy! 📚As Philomath's early learning journey continues, the two dream of ensuring preschool access for all students in their community. 🫶Learn more and listen today at the link below! https://childinst.org/philomath-elementary-nurturing-community/?et_fb=1&PageSpeed=off
Join the Early Learning Academy! Learn more at childinst.org.

Music: Bensound.com
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Early literacy plays a pivotal role in shaping children’s cognitive development, fostering a love for learning, and empowering them with essential communication and problem-solving skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. However, the reality is that Oregon has seen a downward trend in student reading scores in the past few years. According to a report from 2021-2022, less than 40% of Oregon third graders are reading at grade level. Governor Kotek’s executive order comes at a time when students and their communities need more support. Announced on 5/25, the order emphasizes the significance of early literacy by advocating for enhanced early education and literacy assistance in Oregon. In line with the Oregon Department of Education’s Early Literacy Framework, her administration will establish a specialized council focused on equipping elementary educators with the necessary skills for effective reading and writing instruction📚This initiative will highlight the importance of fostering early literacy skills from kindergarten to fifth grade, aiming to eliminate disparities and achieve equity in literacy outcomes throughout the state. 🙌More exciting updates to come, and we look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative unfold for children across Oregon.
⚠️Due to recent budget adjustments, Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) programs in Oregon are at risk of being cut⚠️Without funding, children throughout the state will lose critical services that support early child development.

Children's Institute is working closely with the Alliance for Early Intervention to capture stories that will help tell the impact of EI/ECSE. Your experiences will be shared with legislators so they better understand the importance of these services and why they are essential for young children and their families. 🙌Take action by sharing your story today. Your voice can help protect these vital programs that support young children across Oregon. Head to the link in our bio to get started.

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Advocating for Children and Families

Early Childhood Coalition

Oregon’s Early Childhood Coalition includes more than 70 state and national organizations that work to advocate for young children and families. Children’s Institute serves as a coordinating member of the coalition and facilitates monthly meetings.

The 2023 Legislative Session
Policy Resources

What are five things you need to know about early childhood in Oregon? Read more. 

Oregon's Early Childhood Landscape

Get to know the programs and services that make up Oregon’s early childhood system.

News & Articles

The Latest

Bridging Gaps and Nurturing Community through Early Learning in Philomath

Bridging Gaps and Nurturing Community through Early Learning in Philomath

In this episode of the Early Link podcast, Rafael Otto joins Abby Couture and Sunny Bennett, the principal and preschool teacher at Philomath Elementary School. Abby and Sunny discuss their stories of getting started in education as well as the moments they began to realize many children were missing out on early learning experiences. They go on to describe the educational environment in Philomath, where they partner with LBCC and Strengthening Rural Families to provide more opportunities for toddlers and pre-k students. They also share their positive experience as part of Children’s Institute’s Early Learning Academy, highlighting the inspiring sense of community, information sharing, and resource recommendations it provided.

The Power of Preschool Promise

The Power of Preschool Promise

Preschool Promise is providing opportunities for more young children in Oregon to access high-quality early learning and care. In 2015, Children’s Institute collaborated with 34 partner organizations to support Preschool Promise legislation. After its successful passage, the program launched in 2016 across nine regions, as a part of a larger statewide initiative to improve early childhood education, and partners with public and private providers to expand access to preschool and support the diverse needs of Oregon families.

Strengthening Early Learning

Early Works and Early School Success

Our work with school communities across Oregon demonstrates what happens when school districts, educators, community partners, parents and families, and funders come together with a shared vision to support early learning and healthy development for young children. Kids thrive, families are engaged and empowered to support their children’s learning, and the school community flourishes.

Since 2010, we’ve helped build community-centered early learning programs that have transformed schools and created opportunities for young children and their families. That work continues to shape state policy and strengthen early learning, preschool through grade 5.

Early Works Initiative
Early Works Initiative kids at play

Health and Learning Initiative

The Health and Learning Initiative is a partnership between Children’s Institute, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Oregon Pediatric Improvement Partnership to transform the relationship between Oregon’s health care and early learning systems.

Our recent work developing an incentive metric for Coordinated Care Organizations focused on social and emotional health is the first of its kind in the nation.

Early Link Podcast

Tune In

The Early Link Podcast highlights national, regional, and local voices working in early childhood education and the nonprofit sector. The podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Rafael Otto, Children’s Institute’s director of communications.

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