Advocates, Parents Call on Oregon Legislature to Protect Preschool for All

by Celeste Yager-Kandle | Jun 27, 2025 | News, Oregon Policy, Preschool

On Tuesday, a broad coalition of parents, early childhood educators, and advocates gathered at Escuela Viva in Southeast Portland to speak out in support of Preschool for All in Multnomah County—a nationally recognized, voter-approved model for universal preschool.

Advocacy organizations, parents, and early learning and care providers gathered at Escuela Viva in support of Multnomah County Preschool for All on Tuesday, June 24. 2025. Photo: Chris Hagan Photography

The gathering was a response to Oregon lawmakers’ last-minute changes to Senate Bill 106, seeking to eliminate Preschool for All by 2027 despite broad voter approval of the initiative in Multnomah County.

The amendments to SB 106 were posted on the Oregon Legislature’s website late Monday night without public notice—just days before sine die, the official end of the legislative session when no further action can be taken on bills.

Advocates came together to protect Preschool for All because they believe in supporting local, equity-driven solutions to the child care crisis. Rather than engaging in a thoughtful conversation about tax collection, there was an attempt to dismantle the program entirely—a move that reinforces the importance of ongoing community engagement and discussion.

Many Portlanders agreed. Some estimate that legislators received up to 5000 emails/calls protesting this effort. Their voices were heard. The county preschool program appears to be safe for now, with the bill not advancing out of committee.

Oregon children have the right to an early education, regardless of their race, family income, or zip code. Lydia Gray-Hollifield, a Portland parent and former preschool worker, highlighted the difficult choices many families face when trying to access child care.

“No mother should have to choose between rent and child care, but that is the reality for so many of us. Hands off Preschool for All,” she said.

Lydia-Gray Hollifield, a parent and former preschool worker. Photo: Chris Hagan Photography.

While all families who need child care benefit from universal preschool, Preschool for All invests directly in lower-income families with young children, creating a more equitable system and delivering real results—while supporting a stable workforce and sustainable business economy.

The program currently funds over 130 providers—many of them culturally specific or home-based—and will serve nearly 4,000 children in the 2025-2026 school year, an increase from 2,225 from the year before.

At a time when the federal government is actively eliminating funding for early learning programs, Oregon lawmakers have a responsibility to protect the few investments that exist, especially community-driven solutions that expand access to preschool, and support the healthy development and long-term success of children and families.

Tuesday’s gathering was a testament to the coordinated efforts among early childhood advocates, parents, and early learning and care providers who continue to show up for Oregon’s young children and speak up in support of community-designed solutions.

“This is one of the best investments we can make in our current economy and in our future,” said Dr. Bahia Overton, Executive Director of Black Parent Initiative. “It’s a program created by the local community to better serve our entire community. We ask the Governor to honor the dreams and vision of Multnomah County voters.”

Dr. Bahia Overton, executive director of Black Parent Initiative, speaks at a gathering of early childhood advocates, parents, and providers on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Photo: Chris Hagan Photography.

Children’s Institute will continue to track this issue at the state level in the coming months, during the legislative interim and in the 2026 legislative short session.

Organizations represented at Tuesday’s event included: Family Forward Oregon, Latino Network, Black Parent Initiative, APANO, Unite Oregon, Friends of Preschool for All, Children’s Institute, Oregon Food Bank, ILWU Local 5, Oregon Working Families Party, Portland DSA–Family Agenda Campaign, and Portland for All.

Final Vote Looms on Early Learning Budget as Advocates Take Action

by Celeste Yager-Kandle | Jun 10, 2025 | CI Publications, News, Policy Trends

On Tuesday, early childhood advocates gathered at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem for a “Vote No on Senate Bill 5514 Day of Action” and press conference.

Early childhood advocates wave signs at the Oregon State Capitol for Vote no on SB 5514 Day of Action (Photo: Celeste Yager-Kandle)

Organized by Child Care for Oregon, the event brought together parents, early learning providers, and Early Childhood Coalition partners to oppose the budget for the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). Advocates urged legislators to reject the cuts and prioritize children in the state budget.

If passed, Senate Bill 5514 would cut $45 million from early learning and care programs that support thousands of young children, including Preschool Promise, home visiting services, and support for first-time parents.

Speakers at the press conference emphasized that the bill would have long-term consequences for Oregon’s children and families.

“Senate Bill 5514 reduces access to life-changing programs,” said Candice Williams, executive director of Family Forward. “Budget cuts to the Department of Early Learning and Care will have lasting, negative repercussions for families all across our state.”

Building on that message, Kali Thorne Ladd, CEO of Children’s Institute, implored state leaders to center children in their decisions.

“We have the moral courage to invest in and protect the most vulnerable, the most marginalized among us, our young children,” she said. “It’s not too late to make that decision, we’re here today to ask that you do just that.”

From left: Kali Thorne Ladd, CEO of Children’s Institute and Candice Williams, executive director of Family Forward stand together at Willson Park, near the Oregon State Capitol in Salem for the Vote No on SB 5514 Day of Action

This impact was brought to life by one parent, Alexandra Steward, who shared that Preschool Promise has been transformative for her family, ensuring that her son has access to preschool and early intervention services. Through the program, she has been able to make choices that best support his unique needs.

“Preschool Promise enabled my son to get the help he needs to learn and thrive with disabilities and allowed us as a family to pursue other goals that make us stronger as a family and a community,” she said. “Healthy, happy kids are a direct investment in the future.”

State Senators Lisa Reynolds (D– Portland) and Dick Anderson (R– Lincoln City) attended the press conference to voice their support. Senator Reynolds, a pediatrician, emphasized that Oregon must prioritize investments in young children and families.

“When we invest in our families, the higher the return on the investment,” said Rep. Reynolds. “These early investments can mitigate the toxic stress of childhood poverty, they can interrupt cycles, and they can send five-year-olds to kindergarten who are ready to learn.”

Senator Lisa Reynolds

Senator Dick Anderson

What’s Next?

Senate Bill 5514 is scheduled for a vote on Monday, June 16, 2025 on the Senate floor. If passed, it will cut $45 million from early learning and care programs that provide essential support to thousands of Oregon children and will:

Eliminate Preschool Promise access for 640 children

Cut culturally specific early learning programs for 970 families

Remove Healthy Families Oregon home visiting support for 176 families

Freeze pay and reduce benefits for early educators already earning far less than K–12 teachers

Reduce funding for parenting education and professional development

Oregon lawmakers face challenging budget decisions, driven largely by federal funding constraints. But they have the power to make the right choices—if they hear from you. Even in these difficult times, advocates are calling on legislators to prioritize investments in children that prevent future crises and support healthy development.

Take Action!

Contact your legislators by phone, text, email, or letter and tell them to vote no on Senate Bill 5514!

Click here to send a message to your legislators

Advocates Urge Oregon Legislators to Choose Children

by Celeste Yager-Kandle | May 19, 2025 | News, Oregon Policy

With Oregon’s 2025 legislative session underway, early childhood advocates continue to show up and speak out—calling on lawmakers to choose children and families in policy and budget decisions.

On May 6, advocates from around the state met with their representatives for Early Childhood Advocacy Day, urging them to prioritize children and support the Early Childhood Coalition’s (ECC) 2025 priorities: high-quality early learning and child care, maternal and child health, and strong supports for families.

To gear up for the big day, advocates gathered for a kickoff event with Children’s Institute’s policy team. We asked them why they advocate for children and families—and their responses spoke volumes:

Their voices are a powerful reminder that behind every policy choice are real people, real lives, and real outcomes.

Legislators responded with genuine support: new faces were eager to champion early childhood issues, and longtime legislative champions reaffirmed their commitment to invest in our youngest Oregonians.

Early Childhood Advocacy Day gave parents, caregivers, educators, and community members a meaningful opportunity to move the conversation—and help ensure Oregon’s children remain at the heart of legislative decision-making.

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Progress and Pressure: What’s Still at Stake for Young Children

With just over 6 weeks to go in the 2025 session, some early childhood bills that don’t require new funding are moving forward. One bill, HB 3560, would make it easier to open child care facilities by lifting current zoning restrictions, and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Another, HB 2682, would establish a state committee to review and recommend updates for how Oregon delivers Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) services. This bill is headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

While we celebrate these successes, the reality is that federal disruptions are creating uncertainty for bills that require new dollars. The latest state budget forecast indicates that Oregon will have $500 million less to spend than previously expected. This means critical state-funded services and programs that support children and families, like Relief Nurseries and Employment Related Day Care, may not receive needed funding, and legislation like Oregon’s Momnibus, is in jeopardy—and puts Oregon children at further risk.

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Even in uncertain times, the path forward is clear. Oregon lawmakers are facing tough choices and tighter budgets. As the state weighs its investments, Children’s Institute and the Early Childhood Coalition continue to call on the Legislature to choose children.

Take Action!

In light of the state budget shortfall and anticipated cuts at the federal level, our voices are more critical than ever! Find your Oregon representatives and tell them to choose children and families now.

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Lessons from ESS: Student Voice Shapes Stronger Classrooms

by Celeste Yager-Kandle | Feb 12, 2025 | Educators and Workforce, Professional Learning, Successful Students, Early School Success

Nearly 50 educators from across Oregon met at Vose Elementary School for a learning lab in partnership with Early School Success (ESS), an initiative through Children’s Institute that provides coaching and support to educators working with students from preschool through fifth grade.

The learning lab focused on how centering student voice, which means prioritizing students’ ideas and feelings, is a powerful tool to strengthen classrooms and help students feel like they are part of the school community.

Children’s Institute CEO Kali Thorne Ladd shared opening remarks, with inspiration from Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi. Malaguzzi founded the Reggio Emilia approach, a teaching method and philosophy that encourages educators to wonder and explore with children about what they experience, think, and feel.

“It’s our job [as educators] to listen to children—to watch them, to heed them, and to guide them,” said Thorne Ladd. “The idea isn’t that we are just telling them everything, but that they have something to give us.”

Talisa Timms, a continuous improvement specialist at Children’s Institute, facilitated the learning and emphasized that students are more likely to participate in school when they feel like their voice matters.

“If a student feels like their voice is being heard, they’re more likely to use it,” said Timms. “So that will increase student engagement and attendance.”

Talisa Timms, continuous improvement specialist, facilitated the learning lab.

Early School Success in Practice

As an exercise in practice, learning lab participants held empathy interviews with fifth graders, creating a space for students to share their thoughts on their school experiences. The interviews helped educators understand students’ perspectives on what makes them feel included and engaged at school.

A few key themes that emerged from empathy interviews with students included the importance of collaboration, connection, and belonging; relationships with peers and teachers; and having choice in their own learning experience.

Learning lab attendees worked in groups to identify themes from empathy interviews.

Themes were similar across groups and emphasized connection and collaboration.

Attendees also had the chance to observe ESS strategies in action, including Habits of Mind, a set of behaviors that guide students in approaching problems with curiosity and critical thinking. Another key strategy, Playful Inquiry, uses hands-on exploration to answer real-world questions.

“It has really helped us take our priority of having an equity lens to our work and combine that with research and best practices,” said Vose Elementary Principal Monique Singleton. “This approach helps us support students both where they are now and where we want to help them grow.”

Vose Elementary School Principal, Monique Singleton

Ultimately, ESS learning labs are designed to empower both teachers and students. By providing educators with tools and strategies, they can create more opportunities for student growth, engagement, and voice in the classroom.

Learn more about Early School Success:

Cornelius Elementary’s Early School Success

by Celeste Yager-Kandle | Oct 2, 2024 | 3rd Grade Reading, Dual Language Learners, Parents and Families, School Readiness, Successful Students, Early School Success

With the hint of an autumn chill in the air, Cornelius Elementary School and Children’s Institute kicked off a Learning Tour on October 1, eager to showcase how their partnership is strengthening early learning for children and enhancing teaching practices for educators in Forest Grove, OR.

The Learning Tour was a unique opportunity for Oregon policymakers, school district administrators, funders, and state agencies to see firsthand how Children’s Institute’s Early School Sucess initiative collaborates with school communities.

Attendees began to stream in just ahead of the event’s start time, finding themselves in an inviting space as they huddled together in the school’s library.

Kali Thorne Ladd, CEO of Children’s Institute, opened the tour with an inspiring message and commitment to collaboration with the early childhood and K-12 education systems, and state agencies.

“We want to be that middle of the wheel that helps move things forward,” she said. “We are proudly a statewide organization, and we take that very seriously to ensure that both urban and rural communities have access to the supports and resources they need to thrive.”

Expanding Preschool through Early School Success

In 2015, Children’s Institute worked with early childhood partners and advocates to develop and successfully pass legislation for Preschool Promise. In the years following, Children’s Institute developed the Early School Success initiative, which launched in 2019 with a focus on supporting preschool expansion in school districts across Oregon.

Preschool Promise is a mixed delivery program, meaning that community-based organizations, family care providers, and school districts can offer Preschool Promise to families at 200 percent or below the Federal Poverty Level. School districts provide 33 percent of Preschool Promise programs, making them the largest provider of the state’s publicly funded preschool, outside of Head Start.

Children’s Institute’s ESS model helps school districts build quality preschool programming and align their preschool programs to the early grades, through grade 5. Forest Grove was one of the first school districts to receive an ESS grant. Since partnering with Children’s Institute, the district has doubled its preschool classrooms.

Bilingual Biliteracy Focus

Cornelius Elementary is a dual language school, where all students learn in both Spanish and English. The school has embraced a biliteracy approach starting in preschool, with a focus on native language literacy and gradually introducing a second language. This ensures that students develop literacy skills in both languages.

Data collected by the school in 2023-2024 shows significant growth in both math and literacy among students, demonstrating how biliteracy reinforces children’s strengths and promotes academic success.

Hover over image and click arrows to see literacy and math data.

An Inside Look at Cornelius Elementary

With a guide, small groups of attendees ventured through the halls to see the preschool and elementary grade classrooms in action. Curious eyes investigated as new faces entered the room. But mostly, children were deeply engaged in learning.

As the classroom tours concluded, groups reconnected in the library for lunch and were joined by 4th and 5th graders excited to share about themselves and their school.

Progress on Early Education

The Learning Tour at Cornelius Elementary provided a comprehensive look at how Children’s Institute is helping to make progress in Oregon’s early education system, reinforcing the need for continued support and investment in early childhood education to ensure that all children in Oregon have the love, care, and education they need to thrive.

It also demonstrated how ESS is working with school communities to strengthen classroom practices, align and improve instruction, support joyful learning environments and family engagement, and shift funding to prioritize the foundational early years of a child’s life.

Special Thanks

We want to extend gratitude to Cornelius Elementary School staff for hosting this event with us and being a stellar ESS partner. We also want to thank everyone in the room who joined the Learning Tour, including Forest Grove Superintendent, Dr. Suzanne West; Oregon State representatives and elected officials; folks from the Oregon Department of Education, and Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care; funders, and other esteemed colleagues. Thank you for your dedication to making sure Oregon kids have quality early learning and care, and educators have the support they need.