This morning the White House launched its Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day of Action, an outreach campaign to encourage millions of families to receive their full CTC and EITC payments by filing their taxes.  Here are some resources to help you get the word out to parents in our community.

• White House statement and fact sheet about the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day of Action campaign.
• White House CTC / EITC Day of Action Toolkit
• National Community Action Partnership CTC Social Media Graphics
• Assorted Child Tax Credit Outreach Resources
• IRS Free File: Do Your Taxes for Free

Parenting Counts is a research-based resource developed to support parents and caregivers in raising socially and emotionally healthy children. They provide parents, caregivers, and early learning professionals with information they can trust, understand and use in their daily interactions with children.

Parenting Counts is a product of Talaris Institute, whose mission is to support parents and caregivers in raising socially and emotionally healthy children.

Parenting Counts is operated in partnership with Partners for Early Learning, whose mission is to help parents and caregivers feel confident and competent in their parenting journey.

The Early Learning Division has announced that Oregon is adjusting guidance for quarantine and isolation periods from 10 days to five days in licensed child care settings only if an entire classroom or group wears masks. The change was made after the Centers for Disease Control announced new guidance for child care settings on January 28, 2022.

The Early Learning Division, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), highly recommends all individuals ages two and older wear masks. All individuals who are kindergarten-age and older are required to wear masks. If an entire classroom or group does not wear masks, quarantine and isolation remains at 10 days.

“We know the 10-day period has been difficult for families to manage and has affected business operations for providers,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “This adjustment should give greater flexibility to help respond to COVID-19 cases in care, while still keeping a focus on safety.”

There are several factors that influence the difference between child care and school guidance.

“Protection through a COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available for the youngest children,” said Oregon Health Authority Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger. “While masks are recommended for all individuals two years old and up, there are child care sites where children under age five do not wear masks.

“The nature of interactions in these settings results in prolonged and often close contact. Masking helps to decrease the risk of spread and allow for a shorter return after illness or exposure into these settings with low rates of vaccination overall, especially with the high amounts of community spread throughout Oregon,” he said.

Other key childcare guidance points include the following:

• Individuals who are up to date with vaccination/booster or have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days do not need to quarantine. They should monitor for symptoms.
• If an entire classroom or group does not mask, children and staff may return after seven days with a negative test taken between days five and seven of quarantine. Decisions to shorten quarantine should be made in consultation with the Local Public Health Authority.
• Child care programs may not completely eliminate quarantine with negative tests and universal masks at this time. Increasing access to tests for staff and children remains a goal of OHA.

Frequently Asked Questions about isolation and quarantine in child care are posted on the ELD’s “For Providers” webpage and the “For Families” webpage. Click here to download the updated “Child Care Provider COVID-19 Recommendations and Requirements” guidance document. Child care providers with questions can contact their licensing specialist or email ProviderContact@ode.oregon.gov.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices. This program offers a discount of up to $30 per month toward the internet for eligible households and up to $75 per month for homes on qualifying Tribal lands. Learn if you qualify for the program and how to apply here: ACPBenefit.org

Oregon Housing & Community Services will begin accepting new applications for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) for a limited reopening beginning on Wed., Jan. 26.  https://www.oregonrentalassistance.org/

Attention Parenting Educators, Home Visitors, Family Case Workers, and all who support our Linn, Benton, and Lincoln County Parents and Families! It's time to register for the 11th Annual Parenting Educator Celebration!

Big news: ODHS has increased income limits for the food assistance (SNAP) and child care assistance (ERDC) programs to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $2,147 a month for an individual or $3,660 for a family of three. The previous income limit for these programs was 185% of the federal poverty level. Approximately 18,000 new households are expected to be eligible to enroll in SNAP. More information is in a news release: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/DHSNEWS/NewsReleases/Income-limit-increase-food-child-care.pdf