Health and Development
The Path to the Student Success Act
This year, Oregon passed the Student Success Act: a new annual $1 billion public investment in education. Twenty percent of this budget—nearly $200 million per year—will go toward early childhood programs and services. This new funding is in addition to existing...
CCO Health Innovations Support Early Learning Goals
Oregon’s creation of Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) in 2012 served as a landmark accomplishment in the ongoing effort to better meet the health needs of children and families who qualify for the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). By integrating and coordinating...
Making Progress for All Learners through LEAP
The LEAP program at Cherry Park Elementary in Southeast Portland is one of a handful of inclusive preschool programs in Oregon. Originally designed to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the evidence-based model has been so effective that...
Refugee Families Gather in Ontario, Oregon
At the Four Rivers Welcome Center in Ontario on Monday, people from Iraqi, Mexican, African, and European heritage sit on the floor building colorful, whimsical bookshelves. They are preparing for a literacy event for young children who are either refugees...
Oregon’s Legislature Makes Young Kids a Priority
Oregon’s legislature adjourned on June 30 at 5:30 p.m., just six and a half hours before the constitutionally mandated close of the 2019 session. As we previously reported, the Student Success Act passed in May included historic investments in early childhood...
Building Healthy Communities from the Inside Out
At Earl Boyles Elementary in Southeast Portland, the intoxicating aroma of Cindy Bahn’s chow mein is filling the school’s community room kitchen. She’s tossing out cooking tips as she stir fries heaping piles of noodles, vegetables, and shrimp. Over the last six...
Beaverton and Forest Grove Chosen for Early School Success
Children’s Institute is pleased to announce that the Forest Grove and Beaverton School Districts have been selected as our initial partners in our latest initiative, Early School Success (ESS). After a competitive application process, it was clear that both Forest...
Ajay Chaudry on Combating Inequality Through Early Care and Education
Ajay Chaudry was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services Policy in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to that appointment in the Obama administration, Dr. Chaudry was a Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Labor, Human Services,...
Rural Parents Scramble to Get More Special Education for Young Kids
Miles Wolpoff, 5, with his family, photo courtesy of Darcy Jeffs. Photo by Dan Haberly.One Oregon couple in a rural town south of Eugene sends their 3-year-old autistic son on a two-hour round trip bus ride so he can attend a special state-sponsored preschool. A...
Oregon Effort Incentivizes Health Metrics for Kindergarten Readiness
Thanks to Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute for permission to share a guest blog authored by our own Elena Rivera, Senior Health Policy and Program Advisor. Oregon Effort Incentivizes Health Metrics for Kindergarten Readiness Preparing a child for...