I am going to be honest and acknowledge my quarterly greeting is more challenging to write today. With so many uncertainties in our country right now, I struggle to find the right tone for this newsletter. I’ve been asking myself what matters the most regarding the work we all do together and how do we continue to do THAT? The answers I’ve come up with have come from the conversations with the wonderful partners and families in this region:

• ADVOCATE. Our legislators need to hear from us. You can find our elected officials HERE
• SHARE. With so many decentralized sources of news, finding accurate and update information can be challenging. Share updates from vetted and respected sources.
• REDIRECT. When inaccurate information is shared, kindly redirect it with facts and cite accurate sources.
• PARTICIPATE. Keep doing good, keep connecting, keep informed.
• CELEBRATE. Amid challenges, there are also wins. Remember to call out and celebrate the wins.

My hope is that you will see these actions woven throughout this newsletter. We have so many amazing collaborations and opportunities to support our children, families, and partners. I hope you feel encouraged and uplifted by this newsletter and find ways to engage in the work showcased here and with so much other impactful work happening right now. Southern Oregon is a truly amazing community of caring people and I feel so lucky to work with all of you.

Thank you again for your support and collaboration, we couldn't do this without you!

If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.

African Proverb

With Gratitude,

René Brandon

Director

Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub

On August 1st, 2023 House Bill 3198 was signed into law and established the Early Literacy Success Initiative, which has 4 main goals:

1. Increase early literacy for children from birth to third grade;
2. Reduce literacy academic disparities for student groups that have historically experienced academic disparities;
3. Increase support to parents and guardians to enable them to be partners in the development of their children’s literacy skills and knowledge; and
   
4. Increase access to early literacy learning through support that is research-aligned, culturally responsive, student-centered and family-centered.

Last Fall we shared a request for applications from community partners who were interested in providing, or expanding early literacy initiatives through their organization. We received 19 applications, and were able to fund these 17 organizations and their early literacy programs:

• The Oregon Center for Creative Learning
• Playful Concepts, LLC
• Jackson County HHS - Maternal Child Health
• Legacy Family & Leadership
• Grants Pass School District 7 Early Learning Program
• Southern Oregon Head Start
• Grants Pass Family YMCA-YEC Preschool Program
• Siskiyou Community Health Center
• Ashland Family YMCA
• Wild Oak Preschool
• St. Anne Catholic School
• 71Five Youth Ministries
• Listo Family Literacy Program
• SOESD Early Childhood Services
• Josephine Community Library District
• Rogue Valley Family YMCA
• Bridging Communities

We are so excited to share more updates as Read Play Talk literacy events, staff trainings, parent education opportunities, and family supports are rolled out into Southern Oregon!

Career Opportunity Available!

Do you know someone who wants a career in Early Learning? Maybe they don’t know where to start or who to contact to learn more?

In partnership with WorkSource Rogue Valley, Child Care Resource Network (CCRN), Rogue Workforce Partnership (RWP), Rogue Community College (RCC) and Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub (SOELS) paid internships are now available to start your career in early learning.

Jobseekers will have the opportunity to try out child care as a career choice by working up to 150 hours in a paid internship. The goal is that jobseekers who have completed the internship will be well-suited and possess the skills and training needed for child care and be potentially offered employment at the end of the internship.

If you are a jobseeker interested in learning more about a career in child care please contact Noemi Salazar at Noemi.Salazar@employ.oregon.gov or visit the WorkSource Rogue Valley for more information.

We have funding to support the start up of a new in-home family child care program! We are specifically looking motivated individuals residing in Jackson County, but priority will be given to individuals in rural communities- Prospect, Trail, Butte Falls, Sam's Valley, Pinehurst, etc. where no licensed child care programs currently exist. Through generous support from Providence Community Health Foundation, we are able to support the start-up costs (equipment, child furniture, toys, materials, supplies) for at least one program and to provide short-term tuition-assistance for qualifying working families who would like their children to attend the new location.

Additionally, with the support of our RCC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) partners in Josephine County, the City of Grants Pass, and SOREDI, we have been able to secure additional funding to support new family child care programs across Josephine County.

If you are interested in the opportunities available in either county, please scan the QR code on the flyer below, or complete the interest form here!

The Together for Children 2025 Conference will be held at the SOU/RCC Higher Education Building on Saturday, Feb. 22nd 2025. It is an opportunity for those involved in early childhood education and child care to access high quality professional development.

This annual conference is organized by the Southern Oregon Chapter of ORAEYC, whose members have been serving professionals in Jackson and Josephine Counties for over 40 years. Our board and members are committed to supporting those who work in early care and education on their professional paths. We believe in the power of innovative trainings, networking, and moving the work we all do to support children and families into the public view as the powerful and community changing force that it is.

This year promises to be our best conference yet. We have put together a variety of thought-provoking sessions for you. In addition, there will be opportunities to learn about all of the many new and exciting changes and the benefits of membership to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC is a large nonprofit association in the United States representing early childhood education teachers, para-educators, center directors, family child care providers, trainers, college educators, families of young children, policy makers, and advocates. NAEYC is focused on improving the well-being of young children, with particular emphasis on the quality of educational and developmental services for children from birth through age eight.

You can find our Southern Oregon Chapter of OregonAEYC online at www.socoraeyc.org. You can now find ORAEYC at their new address www.oraeyc.org. Network! Connect! Learn! Laugh! Enjoy and return to work on Monday with new skills, knowledge, and passion to make Southern Oregon the very best place for young children and their families.

For registration and more information, please visit this link: https://socoraeyc.org/together-for-children-conference-2025/

With Immense Gratitude and Respect,

The Southern Oregon Chapter of ORAEYC Board

Through generous funding from AllCare/Josephine County System of Care, The Gordon Elwood Foundation, and The Jefferson Regional Health Alliance coming alongside funding from Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub, we have raised $100,000 to kick off a 12 month cohort of up to 10 individuals interested in becoming QMHA credentialed and committed to offering skills trainings in child care settings.

This month, the QMHA cohort launched with 4 participants- 2 from Jackson County, and 2 from Josephine County! The 4 participants bring a variety of background knowledge and experience, and will continue to support their child care settings, and the communities they serve with the skills they gain from the QMHA cohort and trainings.

Since the QMHA cohort has fewer participants than expected, SOELS is seeking to repurpose some of the funds for additional supports for the child care work force. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming opportunities!

We hope that the continued expansion of training opportunities for the child care workforce will improve outcomes for our early learning staff, and the children and families they serve!

The Oregon Child & Family Center for Excellence offers a full array of support for organizations serving children & families to operate and respond in a rapidly evolving environment. The Center provides a wide array of training opportunities, such as:

• Youth Mental Health First Aid
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Professional Boundaries
• Trauma & Attachment
• Motivational Interviewing

We provide technical assistance to providers and provide solution-focused approaches and actionable recommendations to help your organization maximize impact in your community. Our team of experienced professionals have expertise in a variety of areas to help you expand the capacity of your organization.

The Center is focused on expanding our professional development opportunities for organizations and improving systems of care. We are currently developing training to help organizations build and support a lived experience workforce. In partnership with Beaverton High School, we have launched the development of a behavioral health classroom. We are also coordinating a Youth Behavioral Health Sub-Committee on Workforce to develop strategies to recruit and retain a behavioral health workforce.

For more information, contact Vera Stoulil, vera@oregonalliance.org or visit our website at oregonalliance.org

Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub and Child Care Resource Network are co-convening a Community Leadership Team to increase inclusive practices across all early learning programs in Jackson and Josephine counties. Our goal is to ensure ALL children are welcome and supported in high quality, responsive programs.

We have received $100,000 from Providence Innovation Fund to provide training, coaching, materials, and support to early learning programs in Jackson County and are seeking a funding partner for Josephine County. We will soon be recruiting for experienced professionals to contract with us to provide coaching to child care programs. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email Sydney Wing at sydney_wing@soesd.k12.or.us to receive more information as it becomes available by late February.

This fall, the Grants Pass School District 7 Early Learning Program, in partnership with Gilbert Creek Early Childhood Services, successfully launched its first inclusive preschool program. Serving a diverse group of children, including 46% typically developing children, 37% with identified delays or disabilities, and 16% currently in the early intervention referral process, this groundbreaking initiative fosters a powerful learning environment where children of all abilities thrive.

We've witnessed remarkable growth in all our students, with children who were initially hesitant to participate now confidently engaging with their peers. This inclusive model not only benefits children with disabilities by promoting peer learning and social-emotional development but also teaches typically developing children valuable lessons in empathy and inclusion.

This positive school experience helps ease the transition to kindergarten, fostering a smoother and more positive start to their formal education. The program provides a rich learning environment with three dedicated teachers and regular support from various staff members. Children engage in a variety of activities, including music, movement, and sensory play, while developing essential emotional regulation skills.

Furthermore, we are nearing the completion of an ADA-accessible playground featuring a nature-themed play structure and engaging features such as conifer climbing trees, musical instruments and balancing steppers that encourage exploration and gross motor development. This collaborative partnership between Grants Pass School District 7 and Gilbert Creek ECSE is creating a model for high-quality, inclusive early learning in our valley that prepares all children for success in school and beyond.

Shared by Annie Blanchard, Early Childhood Coordinator

Grants Pass School District 7 Early Learning Program

The Growing Together Center continues to provide free, inclusive programs for families with young children! Our team prioritizes finding new ways to engage with families and our community. Drop by for some of our wonderful programming, utilize the diaper closet, and ask about some of the new programs that will be coming soon!

Zumbini is an early childhood music and movement program for ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

With its unique, upbeat music with lyrics, children and caregivers are both invited dance, play, laugh, and move together while also developing fine and gross motor, language, cognitive and social/emotional skills!

Check out the Zumbini website here, or click the video below to get a glimpse of the fun! Keep an eye out for the start date, to be announced soon!

We have seen a significant increase in the demand for diapers. Regularly changed diapers are a necessity for the health of children and are also very expensive for families with young children.

We welcome any community support, financial donations, and diaper donations so we can continue to provide this service. No donation is too small.

Donations can be dropped off at our SOELS Medford office between 8am - 4pm at 918 Chevy Way, or at the Growing Together Center between 10am - 2pm Monday-Friday at 310 SW H Street in Grants Pass.