classroom-support

Professional Learning: Classroom Support

Whether you’re an educator looking to enhance your skills, get support with a specific challenge, or an employer seeking to create a supportive environment for educators, this page contains information on topics such as inclusion, quality improvement, and various trainings available.

Childcare Resource and Referral (CCR&R)

Childcare Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services promote the health, safety, and development of young children in childcare settings as part of Oregon’s Early Learning System. They are responsible for providing a wide variety of program services through professional development and collaboration with community partners to align and coordinate local early learning systems.

They serve as community experts for childcare systems and the Early Learning Workforce. Their work prioritizes support for Early Educators across all program types participation in Professional Development opportunities.

Regional CCR&Rs provide support for professional development training, starting and maintaining a childcare business, coaching and technical assistance, and community knowledge of the childcare system.

Quality Recognition and Improvement System – Spark

Programs in Spark receive support and resources in maintaining and improving childcare practices that contribute to positive experiences for children and families. They also receive recognition for their quality improvement efforts which can be showcased for families to see on Find Child Care Oregon.

Spark is open to licensed child care, preschool, and school age care and education programs throughout Oregon. There are some license-exempt programs that are able to join, such as those connected to school districts or governmental agencies. Participation is voluntary but programs that receive certain state-funding (such as Preschool Promise and Baby Promise) are required to participate. Learn more about Spark here: Program Quality Supports.

Every Child Belongs

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?

In July 2021, the passing of HB 2166 and SB 236 by the Oregon legislature established the Every Child Belongs program (previously known as 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.

Learn more on the Every Child Belongs page.

Inclusive Partners

Inclusive Partners is a statewide program. We are funded through the Oregon Department of Education, Department of Early Learning and Care, and Oregon’s Department of Human Services. We are a program that supports inclusive practices in child care settings.

We work with child care providers caring for children who need additional accommodations to support inclusive care. We offer these supports for children and youth from birth through age 17. Families, child care providers and other partners are able to make requests for our assistance at no cost.

Inclusive Partners helps to promote and support inclusive practices by offering technical assistance / consultation services, a financial supplement (see ODHS Eligibility Requirements), and professional development opportunities for providers.

Learn more on the Inclusive Partners page.