The Office of Child Care (OCC) is revising the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Certified Child Care Centers. The Community Rule Revision Workgroup is a group of community members who will provide input and suggestions for these rules. They are seeking applicants, particularly parents. Participants will be reimbursed for their time. The deadline to apply is currently December 23rd at 5pm.

Look who has come to visit Pollywog! Sheldon has settled in to read books with friends while he waits for you to find him!

The Early Learning Division is asking for feedback on your family’s experience searching for and using child care. Take the survey and help make a difference!

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. The observance was started by Prevent Blindness America. An estimated 198,000 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2020. Here are some Toy Safety Tips from SafeKids Worldwide.

With flu and COVID-19 cases also expected to rise this winter, we encourage everyone to take steps to prevent and reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, including RSV. 

FREE virtual event: Navigating the Tough Stuff: LGBTQ+ Suicide Awareness for Families with special guest Be Smart on December 6th at 10am-12noon.

Looking for festive ways to celebrate the holiday season? This month Pollywog shares a list of low-cost or free holiday activities in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties.

The CDC offers information and resources for Early Childhood Educators on developmental milestones, developmental monitoring, and acting early on concerns. Also available in Spanish.

In this Public Health Insider discussion, learn how Oregon State University's College of Public Health and Human Sciences faculty are working to support accessible and affordable child care solutions that work for parents, children and Oregon’s early educator workforce.

This month, and throughout the year, we celebrate rich and diverse continuing cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of Native people, especially Oregon’s caregivers. Explore how you might honor and recognize Native and Indigenous people this month – and all year long.