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Department of Early Learning and Care

Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program

What if instead of calling it…
The “Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program”

We called it…
The “making sure ECE providers have the training, coaching, consultation, and other supports they need to be able to support every child” program?


child playing in sandbox  

The Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program is a critical resource for families and child care providers.

For more information on the vision and progress of this program, please review the January 2024 Report to the Legislature.

Report Exec Summary

Help develop a statewide equity centered model for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. Apply today!  

Collaborate with DELC on the goal of preventing suspension and expulsion of young children.

The Department of Early Learning and Care seeks proposals from organizations interested in becoming a center of excellence on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in Oregon. 

Interested and eligible organizations are invited to submit proposals to become the Central Entity for the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. This organization will collaborate with DELC to develop a statewide equity centered IECMHC model with the goal of preventing suspension and expulsion of young children.

Read More



 

Informational Webinar
Click here to view a webinar on how to apply for this Request for Proposals. To read the full list of requirements for the Central Entity and submit a proposal, please visit oregonbuys.gov.

Download the presentation slides: SEPP Program Overview for RFP Webinar.pdf

The Work of the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program

The Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program (ECSEPP) has two main goals: 
  • To reduce the use of suspension and expulsion in early learning and care programs, and 
  • To reduce disparities in the use of suspension and expulsion in early learning and care programs. 
Achieving these goals requires building and implementing various strategies with the support of many state systems and agencies.

The Work of Regional Service Providers

One of the strategies to prevent and reduce disparities in the use of suspension and expulsion is implementing culturally responsive, equity-centered Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) across Oregon.
Questions? Contact Laura Sprehe (laura.sprehe@delc.oregon.gov). 
The Request for Proposals (RFP) is only available in English. If you need language assistance call or email Laura Sprehe (971)-240-7719 or laura.sprehe@delc.oregon.gov.

Announcing the Regional Service Providers Intended Awardees

Applicants will work closely with DELC to:
  • Build collaborative partnerships with regional providers;
  • Develop and implement culturally responsive, equity-centered Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation;
  • Respond to support requests from early learning and care providers; and
  • Fulfill additional requirements in line with the goal of preventing and reducing disparities in the use of suspension and expulsion

Region
Backbone/Lead Agency
Lead Agency Program
Subcontracted Partners (if applicable)
Central (Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson Counties)
NeighborImpact
NeighborImpact Child Care Resources (CCR&R)
Clackamas County
Clackamas ESD
Clackamas ESD
Clackamas County Children's Commission
Eastern (Malheur, Wallowa, Baker Counties)
Malheur ESD
Early Learning Department of Malheur ESD
Lane County
United Way of Lane County
Early Childhood Hub of Lane County
Quality Care Connections (CCR&R)
Oregon Community Programs
Linn, Benton, Lincoln Counties
Linn Benton Community College
Family Connections/LBL CCR&R
Marion, Polk, Yamhill Counties
Willamette ESD
Willamette ESD, EI/ECSE
Multnomah County
Black Parent Initiative
Center of African Immigrant & Refugee Organization (CAIRO)
Black Parent Initiative and CAIRO
North Coast (Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia Counties)

Northwest Regional ESD
North Coast CCR&R
Southern (Jackson, Josephine Counties)
Family Nurturing Center
Family Nurturing Center (Relief Nursery)
The Gorge (Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler Counties)

Columbia Gorge ESD
Columbia Gorge ESD
Washington County
Community Action Organization
Washington County CCR&R


In July 2021, the passing of HB 2166 and SB 236 by Oregon legislature established the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program and launched a study on Oregon’s use of suspension and expulsion in early childhood care and education programs. In the 2022 Legislative Session, HB 5202 approved the full $5.8 million funding for the program. The purposes of the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program are to:

  • Reduce the use of suspension, expulsion, and other forms of exclusionary discipline in early care and education (ECE) programs.
  • Reduce disparities in the use of suspension, expulsion, and other forms of exclusionary practices in ECE programs based on race, ethnicity, language, ability, or gender.
Program Approach  
Example Scenario  

In spring 2022, the Early Learning Division (ELD) formed a Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) consisting of a group of community members tasked with helping the agency shape and implement rule language for the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. For more information on the RAC and a list of committee members who helped craft the new rules, visit our Rule Making Page.

Research On Early Childhood Suspension And Expulsion

According to recent research data, young children in early childhood settings are being expelled or suspended at a high rate, and children of color and children with disabilities are disproportionately affected. The high rate of suspension and expulsion harms children and families, causing negative outcomes in children’s development, health, and education.

A 2005 study of state-funded programs, “Prekindergarteners left behind: Expulsion rates in state prekindergarten program ,” revealed that the rate of preschool expulsion was more than three times greater than the national rate of expulsion for students in kindergarten through grade 12.

More recently, the United States Department of Education released the results of its Civil Rights Data Collection. The results on preschool data reveals that “6,743 children who were enrolled in public pre-K received one or more out-of-school suspensions in the 2013-14 school year.” Data also shows that black and African American preschool children are 3.6 times more likely to be suspended than white children.

In Fall of 2020, the Oregon Early Learning Division (ELD) contracted with Portland State University’s Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services and OSLC Developments, Inc. to conduct a statewide survey and listening sessions with families . The survey asked families to indicate if they had ever been told that their child “might need to ‘take a break’ or leave care, either permanently or temporarily”. More than 6% of all children were asked to leave care. When asked why the child was asked to leave, thirty-five percent of parents indicated the reason was that the provider could not handle the child’s behavior towards other children or adults.

The root causes of suspension and expulsion are complex and varied. As a result, this program must include solutions that reflect and respond to the complex and varied issues.

Infant And Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Model

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC), will be one component of the Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. IECMHC is considered a promising practice for reducing rates of preschool suspension and expulsion.

In January 2022, Portland State University’s Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services School of Social Work published a report to provide guidance for the program, “ Centering Racial Equity: Design Considerations for Oregon’s Statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program .” This report was made possible by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) grant program awarded to the Early Learning Division.

The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) is a prevention-based approach to working with early care and education (ECE) programs in support of young children’s social and emotional development.

Consultation Approach

The overall approach is focused on:

  • meeting the social-emotional needs of children
  • supporting the knowledge, skills, and capacity of ECE providers
  • early childhood suspension and expulsion prevention

The approach begins with ECE providers and/or parents contacting a centralized resource line, or “warmline” for support. The warmline connects the ECE provider with local consultants. The consultation will be structured to individualize support based on needs of the children, ECE programs, and cultures within the community. Through regular coaching with consultants, ECE providers will gain a greater understanding of children’s behavior and social-emotional development within the context of family, community, and culture.

To support an anti-racist, equity-focused IECMHC system, the consultants will:

  • receive comprehensive onboarding, reflective supervision, and ongoing training
  • reflect cultures, histories and contexts of the communities they serve
  • actively and intentionally address implicit and explicit bias
  • participate in shared professional development to strengthen anti-racist practices
  • build authentic, trusting relationships with staff, families, and children

For more information about IECMHC , visit https://www.iecmhc.org/.

young boy playing with legos  



Timeline

Throughout the development of the IECMHC program, the Early Learning Division (ELD) will be guided by the voices of Oregon families, ECE providers, and research.

The passage of HB 2166 approved the establishment of the Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion Prevention Program. The passage of SB 236 approved the state to conduct a study of Oregon’s use of suspension and expulsion in early childhood care and education programs, and on efforts to reduce and prevent use of suspension and expulsion.​

HB 5202 approved the full $5.8 million funding for the program. Portland State University published “Centering Racial Equity: Design Considerations for Oregon’s Statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program.”

​

The IECMHC Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC), a group of community members, is formed. RAC members help agency staff shape and implement rule language around suspension and expulsion.

​

To incorporate community input and co-creation of the IECMHC program, ELD will conduct partner, parent, and ECE provider engagement.

​

Public comment period. Rules adopted by the Early Learning Council (ELC).

​

Definitions

A person, policy, or approach which works to promote anti-racist ideals through active efforts to change embedded organizational policies, procedures, rules, behaviors etc. that have historically resulted in continued unfair treatment to some people and unfair or harmful treatment to others based on race. ​
A subjective opinion, preference, prejudice, or inclination, often formed without reasonable justification, that influences the ability of an individual or group to evaluate a situation objectively or accurately. Biases can be either explicit or implicit. Explicit biases are the attitudes and beliefs we have about a person or group on a conscious level, while implicit biases are formed and held without our conscious knowledge.​
Working toward fair outcomes for people or groups by treating them in ways that address their unique advantages or barriers. Equity means that all young children and their families should have access to the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full, healthy potential. To achieve this goal, program administrators and policymakers need to be aware of and understand potential disparities in access to care and outcomes, and to then address these disparities.​

These definitions are from Centering Racial Equity: Design Considerations for Oregon’s Statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program.

Resources

  1. Centering Racial Equity: Design Considerations for Oregon’s Statewide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) Program , January 2022 | Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services, Portland State University
  2. Oregon 2020 Preschool Development Grant Statewide Needs Assessment: Family Reports , Winter 2020 | Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University and OSLC Developments, Inc.
  3. IECMHC | The Center of Excellence for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (CoE for IECMHC)
  4. Suspension and Expulsion in Early Childhood | National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
  5. Preventing Suspensions and Expulsions in Early Childhood Settings | SRI Education
  6. Timeline of Research, Commentary, and Policy Regarding Preschool Expulsions and Suspensions | The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy
  7. Preschool Suspensions: This is What We Know, March 2018 | National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
  8. Information and Resources to Assist States in Developing Policy on Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion , May 2017 | Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes
  9. Who Is Being Expelled from Preschools, and Why?, March 2017 | Zero to Three
  10. Spotlighting Progress in Policy and Supports, November 2016 | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  11. Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) for the 2013-14 School Year, June 2016 | U.S. Department of Education
  12. Reducing Suspension and Expulsion Practices in Early Childhood Settings , December 2014 | Office of Early Childhood Development
  13. Implementing Policies to Reduce the Likelihood of Preschool Expulsion , January 2008 | Foundation for Child Development
  14. Prekindergarteners Left Behind, May 2005 | Foundation for Child Development
  15. What About the Other Kids In the Room, February 1, 2023 | by Alex Shevrin Venet for UnconditionalLearning.org

Program Rules

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, read the “Program Rules Q&A” below.

young girl playing

Program Rules - Questions & Answers

“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. For this Program, a Rulemaking Advisory Committee held seven meetings to discuss and shape the proposed rule language.​

The rules help the Early Learning Division begin setting up the Program by identifying key partners in delivering support services to ECE providers, like “Technical Assistance Providers” (trained providers who will provide support services) and “Regional Service Providers” (organizations who will manage service delivery).

The rules also define terms that are important to building the Program and any future requirements for ECE providers or other partners in the Program.​

Most of the information about how this Program will support ECE providers is NOT in the rules and is still in development. Visit our SEPP Page to learn more about how this Program will soon provide supports to ECE providers./p>

The legislatively mandated requirement for ECE providers to access Program supports before suspending or expelling a child will NOT be included in this first version of the ruleset. Providers will not be able to access a Program that doesn’t exist yet!

The ELD will continue to seek input from people, communities, and organizations impacted by these rules before proposing additional requirements in the future.

Below is a list of issues and responses that were discussed at the RAC feedback sessions.

Issue: The rules define “in-program suspension,” which is not allowed without contacting the Program first; what about a situation when a child needs to take a moment away from the group to regulate their emotions?

Response: A “Supported Break”, or a brief, time-limited period a child spends apart from an early learning environment with the active support of an ECE provider for the purposes of emotional regulation are allowed and encouraged. More information about how to support children with supported breaks will be available as the Program develops.

Issue: Are there any exceptions to when ECE providers need to contact the Program before suspension or expulsion?

Response: At this time, the rules do not include a requirement for ECE providers to contact the Program before suspending or expelling a child for any reason. The ELD will continue to work with ECE providers, families, and other interested community members to develop the future requirements. Also, a future Rulemaking Advisory Committee will be convened to create these rules.

Issue: As a provider, if I accept a child into my program, will I be banned from ever moving them out of my program?

Response: No. Senate Bill 236 of the 2021 Oregon Legislation Session will ban suspension and expulsion from ECE programs starting in 2026. In the meantime, the Early Learning Division is working on defining “planned transitions”, which will provide an approved process to move a child out of an ECE setting and into another appropriate environment.

The rules are subject to change based on information and feedback gathered in the initial pilot stage of the Program.

Please contact Katrina Miller, Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist: 971-719-6981 and Katrina.Miller@ode.oregon.gov.

Archive

Download PDF of Rules
Descargar PDF de Las Reglas