DELC Updates on Federal Changes

At the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), we aim to ensure that every child, family, and provider feels safe, respected, and supported.
At DELC our mission, vision, and values reflect this inclusive approach and are central to what we do. DELC’s seven core values are: Equity, Respect, Trust, Relationships, Safety, Continuous Improvement, and Integrity. These values help anchor the agency during uncertain times and ground us in carrying out our responsibilities.
We know there are a lot of questions about how actions at the federal level might impact our agency and the programs and people we support. While we may not always have answers, DELC has created this page as a source of information for the public regarding ongoing federal developments.
The DELC Executive Leadership Team and subject matter experts across the agency are closely assessing potential impacts of Executive Orders and federal administrative actions. We are currently working in close partnership to follow the lead of the Governor’s Office and the Department of Justice to identify any impact, determine if any response is necessary, and communicate to staff, partners, families, grantees, and the communities we serve.
Last updated: October 7, 2026

Proposed Administrative Changes

Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

DELC is aware of recent proposals to reduce regulations in the Head Start program.

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) remains committed to ensuring every child has access to safe, high-quality early learning experiences and to upholding the strong standards long established through Head Start. DELC will continue to advance these commitments through its investments in Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten (OPK), the state’s longest-running Head Start-aligned early childhood initiative..

In public comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), DELC expressed concerns that the proposed rule would prioritize deregulation at the expense of essential protections that ensure children experiencing poverty – especially Oregon’s most vulnerable children – receive consistent, comprehensive, high-quality Head Start services.

Funding

DELC is aware of ongoing litigation surrounding federal spending on public programs. At this time, Oregon has not received any official notice of reductions to federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) dollars that support Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) and related programs.

Providers should please continue billing for ERDC and related programs as usual. DELC will monitor federal guidance and share updates promptly if anything changes.

DELC is in regular communication with State and Federal partners and will continue actively assessing potential impacts that federal actions have in early learning and care settings including impacts to Tribal Nations within Oregon's borders.

Please note that while we are working hard to be responsive and provide information relevant to Oregon, we are not able to provide legal advice or to provide urgent rapid response.

DELC remains committed to our agency vision ensuring that all children, families, early care and education professionals, and communities are supported and empowered to thrive.

Oregon Sanctuary Laws

Since 1987, Oregon has officially been a sanctuary state that supports immigrant and refugee communities by prioritizing human rights, dignity, and safety. Oregon sanctuary laws ensure that everyone in our state can live, work, go to school, and access state government services without fear of discrimination or unnecessary inquiries into their personal background.

The sanctuary law restricts state agencies from collecting and sharing information related to a person’s national origin, immigration, or citizenship status. These laws help guarantee that public agencies like DELC focus on what matters most: supporting children, families, and providers.

Click here to view more resources

DELC has shared the following resource update bulletins:

Early Learning Resources

Safety resources for providers | Department of Early Learning and Care Resources for providers who feel unsafe, threatened, or targeted.
Updated Immigration Resources for Early Learning Programs | Department of Early Learning and Care
Informational guidance on a variety of topics that may help early learning providers support families and staff.
Guidance For Schools On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion And Accessibility Initiatives | Oregon Department of Justice
The guidance for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education addresses diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility issues in the context of the Feb. 14 “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, and federal civil rights law.
Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit | Oregon Department of Justice
The toolkit is a free online resource for those seeking to understand Oregon’s sanctuary laws.
Sanctuary Promise Response Hotline | Oregon Department of Justice
Call the hotline to report a suspected violation, receive support, and be connected to resources. Operators are standing by Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Pacific time.
- 1-844-924-STAY (1-844-924-7829)
- Spanish Direct Line: 1-844-626-AMPARO (1-844-626-7276)
- Make a report online
Update on Federal Actions | Oregon Department of Education
The Oregon Department of Education has additional educational updates and resources.
A Guide to Creating "Safe Space" Policies for Early Childhood Programs | The Center for Law and Social Policy
The updated guide gives practitioners, advocates, and policymakers information and resources to design and implement “safe space” policies.
HHS Announces Transformation to Make America Healthy Again | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a dramatic restructuring in accordance with President Trump's Executive Order, "Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative."