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Department of Early Learning and Care

Rule Making

“Rules” are laws that participants in Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs must apply and follow, such as requirements for Oregon Pre-Kindergarten program or licensed child care. Apply to join a RAC and help shape early learning programs in Oregon.

Current Rules & Statutes
Visit the Oregon State Legislature and Secretary of State’s Oregon Administrative Rules webpages for the most accurate laws and rules.

Public Hearings and Public Comment Periods

Public Hearing Schedule for November 2023:

November 15th, 4 PM: ERDC Rule Change (Payment Rates & Late Payments)

November 15th, 5PM: Certified School-age Center Rules

November 16th, 5PM: Amends Adult-to-child Ratios for Provider's Children in Certified Family Child Care Homes

November 16th, 6PM: Amends Adult-to-child Ratios for Provider's Children in Registered Family Child Care Homes

November 17th, 5PM:  General Rules for All Child Care Facilities (Hearings)

For all proposed rule sets, the Public Comment Period ends on November 29th at 5PM. This will ensure that DELC has 1 week to consider public comments before the proposed rules are brought to the Early Learning Council for action.


Rulemaking Advisory Committees

Rulemaking Advisory Committees (RACs) are made up of community members who provide crucial guidance in the rule writing process. RAC members provide input and suggestions for rulemaking while considering equity and fiscal impacts. “Rules” are laws that participants in Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs must apply and follow, such as requirements for Oregon Pre-Kindergarten program or licensed child care. Apply to join a RAC and help shape early learning programs in Oregon.

RACs meet between two and four times over the course of a month and members are provided compensation for participation. At this time, RACs are only held virtually. Listed on the right side of the page are RACs that are currently recruiting or meeting. If you see a RAC listed, but applications are closed, you can provide feedback by reaching out to the staff contact listed.

Men playing with small child

Accessibility

You are entitled to language assistance and other accommodations at no cost. If you need help, please contact the Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) at 503-947-1400.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is implementing new rules related to several new legislative bills as well as an update to the ERDC rate tables. We are creating a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback.
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This RAC will include review of proposed changes to rules regarding:
  • ERDC payments paid on a date later than the date specified by rule, will be paid in an amount that includes an additional nine percent. (HB 2468)
  • A licensed family child care provider’s own children between 10 and 12 years of age will no longer be counted in licensed capacity or adult to child ratios, unless the child has special needs or disabilities which require a level of care that is above normal for the child’s age. (HB 2468)
  • New ERDC rate tables
  • New CBR rules pertaining to Individuals contracted or employed as EI/ECSE providers, Respite care providers, and allowing limited enrollment for exempt prohibited individuals. (HB 3558, SB 283, HB 2599)
  • Adds Assault IV felony convictions to the list of disqualifying crimes for CBR enrollment to maintain federal compliance with the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)

DELC would like to thank the participants who offered their time and expertise:

  • Johnna Timmes - Cultural Organization, Multnomah County
  • Danaye Gonzales - CCR&R Representative, Coos County
  • Anneliese Shehan - Child Care Provider/AFSCME Union, Clackamas County
  • Yeniar Moreira Rivero - Child Care Provider, Multnomah County
  • Laura Salazar - Child Care Provider, Washington County
  • Jaecie Lopez - Child Care Provider, Malheur County
  • Kim Aldinger - Child Care Provider, Lane County
  • Jennifer Mohler - Child Care Provider, Klamath County
  • Merissa Fettis - Child Care Provider, Lane County
  • Kim Huling - Child Care Provider, Umatilla County
  • Heather Freilinger - CCR&R Representative, Douglas County
  • Heather Rogen - Child Care Provider, Deschutes County
  • Vanessa Brown - Child Care Provider/AFSCME Union, Klamath County
Click here to view the RAC agenda
Cllick here to view the RAC notes
The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) will be updating the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Certified School-Age Centers. The Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) will create a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on proposed rule changes and identify supports that may be needed to implement the proposed changes. 

DELC would like to invite members of the following groups to apply to participate in the RAC: 
  • Directors/representatives from certified school-age centers from across the state 
  • Parents/family members of children in these types of programs
  • Community partners working with young children in child care settings
  • Early Learning Hub representatives
  • Tribal nation representatives
  • Child Care Resource and Referral representatives ​

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Thank you to the participants who shared their time and expertise on school-age rules:​

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Name 

 

Affiliation and Region 

 

Jennifer Simonson Child Care Providers, Portland Metro 
Kasie Mertzig Child Care Providers, Portland Metro 
Mina Smith Early Learning Hub, Portland Metro 
Annie Wahto Child Care Providers/Representatives from Advocacy Agencies, Springfield 
Faith Gerber Child Care Providers, Salem 
Carly Landau Child Care Providers, Portland Metro 
Kristy Heitling Child Care Providers, Salem  
Katy Rees Child Care Providers, Sandy 
Rachel Jackson Families/Child Care Providers, Eugene 
Matt Sorenson Child Care Providers, Eugene 
Arcelia Contreras Child Care Providers, Woodburn 
Dale Lewis Child Care Providers, Auburn 
Kaylee Baker Child Care Providers, Southern Oregon ​






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​​Give us your feedback. Join our Rules Advisory Committee!​​​

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is creating a new rule set that will apply to all child care facilities. This rule set is known as “General Rules for All Child Care Facilities”. The Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) is creating a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather valuable feedback on this new rule set.​ ​

These rules will be comprised of the following rule sections to be reviewed in the RAC:

  • Complaints and Investigations 
  • Exempt Prohibition, Unlawful Care, Civil Penalties 
  • Union Representative Participation in Contested Case Hearings 
  • Exempt Care ​​​

Thank you to the participants who shared their time and expertise on general rules:​

​

Name 

 

Affiliation and Region 

 

Alison Warren Child Care Provider - Multnomah County
Anneliese ShehanChild Care Provider, AFSCME Union Representative - Clackamas County
Anne-Marie Holloway Child Care Provider - Douglas County
Bethany Freimuth Child Care Provider - Lane County 
Brenda Sanders
Culturally Specific Community Based Org. - Lane County
Don Duncan Child Care Provider - Clackamas County
Kelly Heichel Child Care Provider - Douglas County
Valentina Brichuk​Child Care Provider - Marion County
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) is a prevention-based approach to working with early care and education (ECE) programs to support young children’s social and emotional development. 

This approach has been shown to reduce rates of preschool suspension and expulsion.For more information about IECMHC programs, visit ​https://www.iecmhc.org/. 

The IECMHC Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who are helping agency staff shape and implement rule language for the IECMHC system, including the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion 

​Prevention Program. Members will advise on requirements for ECE programs around suspension and expulsion.​​​ From September 1 to September 23,the draft Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program Rules were open for public comment. “Oregon ​Administrative Rules”, or “rules,” are written requirements that apply to people and businesses in Oregon. Government agencies often write rules when they create a new program.

Feedback on the draft rules was shared through a Feedback Form in English and Spanish and verbal testimony at the public hearing on September 20.

On September 28, the Early Learning Council adopted the administrative rules to begin implementation of the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program.

Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 414, Division 580

For more information on these rules and the rulemaking process, visit the SEPP page.​​

​Thank you to the committee members who are helping craft the new rules:​

  • Carrie Ruggles-Abrajan – Parent; Saint Helens
  • Blanca Aldama-Morgan – AFSCME Child Care Provider; Albany
  • Leslee Barnes Director – Preschool & Early Learning, Multnomah County; Portland
  • Micki Fabian – Mental Health Service Coordinator, Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start; Pendleton
  • Lydia Gray-Holifield – Parent; Portland
  • Jennifer Hook – QIS Training & Training Manager, Blue Mountain CCR&R; Umatilla, Union & Morrow Counties
  • Zakkiyya Ibrahim – Director, Education Explorers; Tigard
  • Martina Jallad – Quality Improvement Specialist, Washington County CCR&R; Hillsboro
  • Erin Kinavey-Wennerstrom – Executive Director, Oregon Infant Mental Health Association; Eugene
  • Marsha La Verne – Director, Family Development Center; RoseburgHadiyah Miller – African American Family Childcare Network Coordinator, Multnomah County CCR&R, Portland
  • Ashley Newsom – Parent; Hillsboro
  • Amber Oldridge – AFSCME Child Care Provider; Grants Pass
  • Dominic Paz – Mentor Coach & Outreach Coordinator, Center for Healthy Children & Families, Oregon State University; Portland
  • Lauren Sigman – Early Learning Coordinator, Linn-Benton-Lincoln Early Learning Hub; Newport
  • Molly Williamson – Executive Director, FACT Oregon; Portland
    • ​​

Find the most updated rule language on the ELD calendar. Note: Rule language is draft and subject to change.

Summary: The Certified Child Care Centers Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) was created to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules and identify financial and equity effects that might result from the proposed updates. The rules will be implemented on January 1, 2024. In the last decade, there have been many changes in licensing and health and safety practices that are not reflected in the current CC rule set. The updates to the certified center rule set include updates to align with the best practices in the field and remove barriers for child care providers and staff to potentially increase child care capacity.


Process: The ELD has initiated this rule change in response to feedback from the field. After completion of the listening sessions, a community rule revision workgroup was convened to develop rule language to address the barriers identified in the listening sessions. Members of the workgroup identified several fiscal and operational impacts. OCC made modifications of draft rules to remove or minimize these impacts. The Rulemaking Advisory Committee will be held in April and May of 2023. Selection will include representatives from across the state, including those from small businesses/child care centers.

​​These Are The RAC Members Who Help With This Language

Corina Perez
Child Care Resource & Referral, Eastern Oregon
Debbie Radie
Child Care Providers, Boardman
Stephanie Lilly
Child Care Providers, Coos Bay
Grace Dietrich
Parent, Advocates, Portland Metro
Liz Farrar
Campbell Parent, Advocates, Gilliam County 
Angie Benson
Child Care Providers, Portland Metro
Tara Papandrew
Child Care Providers, Culturally Specific Organization/Community Based Program, Portland Metro
Valentina Brichuk
Child Care Providers, Culturally Specific Organization/Community Based Program, Salem
Carrie Graber
Child Care Providers, Eugene
Melissa Scott
Child Care Providers, Hillsboro
Micalene Stafford
Tribal Nations Representative, Warm Springs
Jessi Cordero
Child Care Providers, Southern Oregon
Rod Belknap
Early Learning Hub, Eastern Oregon
Becca Ellis
Child Care Providers, Bend
Judy Werkheiser
Child Care Providers, Statewide
Kara Parris
Child Care Providers, Washington County​

Certified Child Care RAC Agendas

​April 27, 2023 Agenda

May 5, 2023 Agenda​
May 12, 2023 Agenda
May 19, 2023 Agenda
June 2, 2023 Agenda

Certified Child Care RAC Notes

If you have questions, please contact Abby Strom at abby.strom@ode.oregon.gov.

​Watch the public hearing from Thursday, June 1, 2023 ​

Read the public hearing officer’s report.

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Hearing was Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. 

If you have questions, please contact Jordan Pargeter at jordan.pargeter@ode.oregon.gov​.  ​

Hearing on Payment Rates and Late Payments Rule Change was November 17​, 2023​. 


Oregon Pre-Kindergarten, Preschool Promise, and the Early Childhood Equity Fund are all grant programs managed by the Early Learning Division. Early care and education providers apply to the Early Learning Division for funding through these grant programs in order to provide early learning services to low-income families across Oregon.​

​The Program Process Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) application period is now closed. Thank you for all who applied. We appreciate your interest in helping your community.

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The School-Age Child Care Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who help agency staff shape and implement rule language for school-age child care programs. This type of care is also known as out-of-school-time (OST) care and before- and afterschool care programs.

At this time, the School-Age Child Care RAC recruitment is closed. Thank you to the committee members who are helping craft the new rules:

Ashley Thrasher
Candice Henkin
Kristy Heitling
Amy Harboldt
Beth Unverzagt ​
Regan Gray
Caitlin Calip
Holly Kriz Anderson
Darcie Torres
Serena Gillson
Amanda Fly
Marcus Vela
Nayeli Samaniego
Jon Myers

​​The Fire Safety Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) is a group of community members who help agency staff shape rule language for fire safety in family child care programs. The Early Learning Division recently passed permanent fire safety rules to serve as an alternative to the Department of Consumer Business Services sprinkler requirement.

At this time, the Fire Safety RAC is closed. Thank you to the committee members who helped craft the final rules.

  • Vanessa Brown – Certified Family in Klamath Falls, OCCPT Central Regional Director
  • Anneliese Sheahan – Certified Family Portland Metro, previous RAC experience
  • Megan Patterson – Director of Center in Mount Angel. 20+ years in the field. First RAC – 23rd year as volunteer fire fighter
  • Ruth Parra – Child care provider for 20+ years in Beaverton
  • Shelia Ward – Certified Family provider for 30 years, part of Oregon shared service alliance. First RAC.
  • Regan Gray – Child Care Policy Advisor for Family Forward
  • Kelly Scales – Policy Analyst for OCC, rules work recently
  • Remy Watts – Rule Coordinator, ELC administrator
  • Alana Cox – Building Codes Division
  • Alicia Gardiner – Acting OCC Director
  • Abby Strom – OCC Regional Manager
  • Aimee Olin – AFSCME