Dear Colleagues and Supporters,
A new year brings a valuable opportunity to reset and reflect on key moments from the previous year, while setting intentions for the next. As we step into 2025, I feel a renewed sense of urgency to make Oregon the best place to be a kid. This feeling is amplified by our incredible network of advocates, leaders, families, researchers, donors, policymakers, and educators—all united in this shared vision.
Across Oregon, there is a deep hunger for change and a growing concern for the well-being of children, especially those furthest from opportunity. While we navigate the uncertainties of our state, country, and world, it remains clear that bridge-building and community are essential in moving the needle. These shared connections anchor us, lighting our path so we can show up as our best selves. We must maintain our focus on them with the same fervor that we do children.
At Children’s Institute, we are ramping up our advocacy efforts with several key priorities designed to strengthen Oregon’s early childhood ecosystem. These initiatives will not only improve outcomes for children but also bolster our educational system, economy, workforce, and family well-being.
Our 2025 priorities include:
- Stabilizing child care providers, reducing costs, and addressing food insecurity through additional funding for the Child & Adult Care Food Program.
- Strengthening support for new parents by expanding the doula workforce and lactation consultants as part of the Momnibus policy package, which aims to reduce health disparities in low-income families.
- Investing in the early childhood behavioral health workforce to provide consistent care for young children across the state.
- Investing in ERDC (Employment Related Day Care) to reduce the waitlist and help 8,500 Oregon families access child care.
- Restoring funding for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) so children birth-5 can access early learning and care.
We know Oregonians care deeply about these issues. Recent polls confirm that a strong majority believe that public policy investments in early childhood education and development is crucial (Oregon Values and Beliefs Survey, 2024). We also know that it is extremely difficult to improve outcomes for children in the K-12 system without investing in their earliest years of life. Similarly, our economy can’t grow or stabilize without child care.
So, come on, Oregon—let’s do this! Let’s strive for something bold, challenging, and transformative for children in 2025. Let’s set aside political division and focus on what matters most: our children. Together, we can make Oregon an example of what’s possible when we prioritize children in their earliest years.
Let’s choose children and change the world.
In community,
Kali Thorne Ladd
