by Rafael Otto | Dec 21, 2018 | CI Publications
Our policy brief on home visiting focuses on promoting loving, nurturing relationships between parents and children and the role of home visiting programs across Oregon.
Today, fewer than 20 percent of families eligible for home visiting services have access to these crucial programs.
Our 2019 policy recommendations for the state include offering universal home visits for all families and further investing in programs that strengthen parent-child bonds.
Read and download the policy brief
Read our complete 2019 policy agenda
Sign up to help us advocate for kids
by Rafael Otto | Dec 20, 2018 | CI Publications
This policy brief explains the social determinants of health and the connections between health and education. Oregon needs public health, health care, and education systems that work together to create the best possible conditions for young children to thrive.
The state must make connections between the transformation efforts happening in its health and education systems, within its coordinated care organizations (CCOs), and at the community level with programs like Early Works.
Our 2019 policy recommendations for the state include ensuring CCOs target social determinants of health to change health and education outcomes.
Read and download the policy brief
Read our complete 2019 policy agenda
Sign up to help us advocate for kids
by Rafael Otto | Dec 19, 2018 | CI Publications
Our latest policy brief focuses on the expansion of Preschool Promise, Oregon’s high-quality preschool program that serves children and families at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
The brief describes how high-quality programs operate, where Preschool Promise slots are distributed across the state, and why preschool investments are great for Oregon kids.
Our 2019 policy recommendations for the state include expanding public preschool slots to serve an additional 10,000 kids by 2020, fully fund Head Start and Oregon Pre-kindergarten, and strengthen our early childhood workforce.
Read and download the policy brief
Read our complete 2019 policy agenda
Sign up to help us advocate for kids
by Rafael Otto | Dec 18, 2018 | CI Publications
This fact sheet focuses on the impact of the EI/ECSE program and the current gaps in service for children with developmental delays and disabilities
We know that EI/ECSE services are highly effective, but most children enrolled in the program don’t receive adequate levels of service.
Our 2019 policy recommendations for the state include expanding the program with additional investments, exploring new state and federal funding streams, and improve the referral pipeline from developmental screening to services.
Read and download the fact sheet
Read our complete 2019 policy agenda
Sign up to help us advocate for kids
by Rafael Otto | Nov 29, 2018 | News, CI in the News
Swati Adarkar was interviewed by KOIN6 news yesterday about Governor Brown’s budget proposals for the 2019 legislative session.
The full story is available on the KOIN6 website.
Featured Comments
Another part of the proposal, which would address kindergarten readiness, was applauded by Children’s Institute president Swati Adarkar. Between the recommended budget and the additional investment, Brown said she would want to spend $285 million expanding access to preschool for 10,000 low-income children.
“We know if kids are coming to kindergarten behind, that we’re not closing those gaps. There’s an urgency about reaching those kids now, but we know we can’t get there in one legislative session,” Adarkar said, explaining that there are 30,000 children in the state who are not currently enrolled in and could benefit from high-quality preschool.
Additional Context
Governor Brown released her budget on Wednesday that focuses on “repairing and reforming” Oregon’s education system. It includes $2 billion in new investments needed to support early childhood through higher education but is not tied to specific revenue. Our key 0–5 early childhood priorities are included in this new investment package. It includes increased investments in both state preschool programs, Oregon Pre-kindergarten and Preschool Promise, in addition to other critical services such as Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education, the Early Childhood Equity Fund, and workforce supports.
Read the governor’s proposed budget and early childhood investment package.
We are excited for potential new investments, but the need is urgent. The health, safety, and education of our youngest children cannot wait.
We know high-quality early care and education programs and services keep kids healthy and safe and encourage their natural love of learning. Young children in Oregon who face the biggest systemic barriers to opportunity—children from low-income families, children of color, dual language learners, disabled children, and those living in rural areas—overwhelmingly don’t have access to these proven programs and services.
