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Child Care Partners
DHS is one of many agencies and groups who collaborate in child care-related partnerships. Here are descriptions and links to some of our partner agencies.
Child Care Resource & referral agencies(CCR&R Network)
DHS contracts with the CCR&R Network to provide DHS program services. Local CCR&R agencies recruit providers for DHS child care programs, offer technical assistance to providers, help them meet DHS health and safety requirements, and offer training for Family Friends and Neighbors providers. CCR&Rs help DHS client families locate and maintain safe, reliable, quality child care and provide information on the ERDC program to families who are current or potential child care assistance clients.
Child Care Division (CCD) of the Employment Department 
The Child Care Division is the lead agency in Oregon for the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Close to 80% of CCDF dollars are passed through from CCD to DHS for the ERDC program. In addition, CCD is the regulatory agency that licenses child care facilities and conducts background checks on licensed providers. Their website is also a great resource, with a wealth of information and resources for parents, providers, and those interested in child care issues.
The Childhood Care and Education Coordinating Council (CCECC)
The CCECC is a collaborative, ad hoc partnership working to create a balanced system of care in Oregon that supports and empowers working families and promotes safe, healthy child development.
Portland State University (PSU) Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education (OCCD)
OCCD promotes professional development for child care providers, to achieve high quality care and education for children and youth. OCCD works to develop and operate integrated and statewide professional development standards and systems. OCCD has been developing the Oregon Registry, a voluntary, statewide program to document and recognize the professional achievements of people who work in the childhood care and education profession. Providers who serve DHS clients are eligible to earn an enhanced rate if they meet specified training standards.
Oregon Commission for Child Care (OCCC)
The OCCC is a commission within the Employment Department to address the issues, problems, and alternative solutions that are critical for child care issues. (ORS 657A.600 to 657A.630) The OCCC advises the governor and legislature, advocates for safe, quality and affordable child care, and acts as an oversight body, ensuring accountability for Oregon’s children. Their 2009 report is entitled, A Precarious Time: Oregon’s Child Care and Early Education System Faces the Down Economy.
Oregon Child Care Research Partnership (OCCRP)
The Oregon Child Care Research Partnership, housed within the Family Policy Program at Oregon State University, conducts research related to child care policy at the local and state levels. The mission of the Child Care Research Partnership is to ensure that basic information about childhood care and education in Oregon is current, accurate, and available on local, regional, and state levels and is accessible to all decision-makers. OCCRP conducts the Market Rate study upon which DHS child care subsidy rates are based.
National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC)
The NCCIC, a service of the Child Care Bureau , is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance (TA) center that provides comprehensive child care information resources and TA services to Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Administrators and other key stakeholders.
Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC)
Oregon AEYC is an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and serves over 1300 early childhood professionals in the state of Oregon. OAEYC works to support excellent early education, promote public support and policies, build the profession, and improve teaching and learning.
Oregon Commission on Children and Families
The Oregon Commission on Children and Families (OCCF) leads development of local community plans for the children and families in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. This in turn is part of the overall state plan for child care. DHS also partners with OCCF on the Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Training Project, to provide orientation training for unlicensed family child care providers about DHS listing and billing processes, the USDA Food Program, and how providers can obtain training to be eligible for the higher DHS Enhanced Rate. Providers also receive tool kits with materials on health, safety, child development, and literacy, as well as support and additional resources in the providers’ communities.
The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
AFSCME Council 75 represents family child care providers who are licensed with the Child Care Division of the Employment Department.
800-521-5954
The Service Employees International Union Local 503 (SEIU)
SEIU Local 503 represents family child care providers who are exempt from licensing. Providers that are exempt from licensing are also referred to as Family, Friends, and Neighbor providers (FFN).
877-451-0002
CCR&R Network's online child care training calendar
The CCR&R Network maintains a calendar of training opportunities available to child care providers across the state. The calendar includes the orientation for DHS providers that will become mandatory effective July 1, 2010.
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