Policy Trends
Culturally Specific Advocacy
In this episode of The Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto talks with Pooja Bhatt and Anthony Castaneda about the value of culturally specific early childhood advocacy and how their organizations are approaching this important work. Guests: Pooja Bhatt is the...
Coalition Building & Advocacy with Amanda Manjarrez and Dana Hepper
In this episode of The Early Link Podcast, host Rafael Otto explores the topic of advocacy and the details of two legislative agendas focused on building an inclusive, equitable, and just public education system. Guests: Amanda Manjarrez is the public policy &...
ECC Policy Agenda Shaped by Lived Experience
Zakkiyya Ibrahim had been running a 5-star rated child care program in her rental home for three years when she received sudden notice last May, from her landlord, that she would need to close her business within fourteen days or receive an eviction notice....
Child Care in Rural Oregon: A Report from The Ford Family Foundation
A new report from The Ford Family Foundation in Roseburg, Oregon examines approaches to addressing systemic inequities in Oregon’s child care system. Oregon has struggled with child care availability for years. In 2019, 90 percent of the state was designated a...
How Did Oregon’s Children Fare in this Election?
While national politics and the presidential election have consumed the lion’s share of voter attention these last few days, Oregon’s well established vote-by-mail process offers more concrete outcomes for local races and ballot measures. Here’s a round up of...
Podcast: Hadiyah Miller, Black Child Development PDX
In this week’s episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Hadiyah Miller, president of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (ORAEYC) and chairperson of Black Child Development PDX, about combating the expulsion and suspension of Black children in...
Schools Push for Equity Against Forces of Pandemic
After the pandemic closed Oregon schools this spring, teacher Nicole Odom and her assistants at McKay Elementary in Beaverton depended on parental help to remotely teach their preschoolers. They prepared video lessons, learning activities, songs and Zoom sessions,...
Child Care Reopen Survey Reflects Concern for Health, Financial Instability
Oregon’s child care providers are feeling strong financial pressure to reopen, but are unsure of their ability to effectively implement health, safety, and other requirements outlined by the state. That’s according to more than 1,600 providers who responded to a...
Bonamici Report: Child Care in Crisis
What We're Reading Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici has issued a report on the state of child care in Oregon and across the nation. “Child Care in Crisis: Solutions to Support Working Families, Children and Educators,” is informed by conversations with providers,...
Racial and Economic Injustice Persists; Our Actions Must Make a Difference
A statement from Swati Adarkar, President and CEO, and Rafael Otto, Director of Communications. We are heartbroken by the recent loss of life in cities across America and our failure to uphold a society based on racial and economic justice. The reasons for fury,...
