The Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties, in the Family Resources and Education Center at Linn-Benton Community College, has released the 2025 edition of our Regional Data Book.

Independence Day is a great opportunity to enjoy time with family, friends, and neighbors. Here's a list of local events so you can choose the best way to celebrate with your family. We hope everyone has a joyful and safe 4th of July!

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) marked a major milestone in its commitment to Oregon’s youngest learners: five years of statewide implementation of Preschool Promise, one of Oregon’s free, state-funded preschool program. DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee welcomed families, providers, and partners to celebrate the program’s growth and impact across Oregon’s communities at a Preschool Promise event hosted at North Salem High School’s Early Learning Center.

“We are proud to celebrate five years of keeping our bold promise to Oregon’s children and families,” said Chatterjee. “Preschool Promise has grown from a small pilot into a transformative statewide program rooted in equity, family choice, and community partnership.”

Preschool Promise serves Oregon’s three- and four-year-olds from families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Since launching statewide in 2020, the program has expanded to serve more than 5,200 children annually at nearly 330 locations across all 36 Oregon counties. Of the slots awarded by the Oregon Legislature, 96% of slots were filled in the 2024-2025 school year, a figure that has grown steadily since the program expanded statewide.

Built on the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive—regardless of income or zip code—Preschool Promise offers families a choice of home-based, center-based, school-based, and culturally specific early learning settings that reflect their values, language, and culture.

Preschool Promise is also strengthening Oregon’s early learning workforce by supporting competitive pay with kindergarten teachers and promoting the professionalization of the workforce. Many providers are women, people of color and emerging small businesses. A recent shift to awarding grants directly from the state helps providers thrive and build quality, sustainable programs.

Families remain at the heart of Preschool Promise, which prioritizes family choice, inclusive practices, nutritious meals, high-quality curriculum, and dual-language instruction that honors families’ home languages.

“Each day, we get to spend quality time with children–most of whom may not have had access to preschool prior to Preschool Promise,” said Stephanie Whetzel, Director of Early Learning Programs, Salem-Keizer Public Schools. “We see the benefits and hear that our students we teach are more prepared for kindergarten.”

Preschool Promise’s success is powered by strong partnerships with 16 regional Early Learning Hubs across and 220 grantees statewide. The agency now uses local data to assign slots where they are most needed. As part of the agency’s commitment to transparency, the agency launched a public dashboard last year, and continues to make ongoing investments in provider tools and systems to improve efficiency and quality.

State leaders shared that Preschool Promise has evolved into a cornerstone of Oregon’s vision for a more just and equitable education system. The agency, which became a standalone agency in 2023, remains committed to improving access, supporting providers, and ensuring that every child in Oregon has the opportunity to succeed. Learn more at oregon.gov/delc.

Pollywog has rounded up activities and community events from all over Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. Find a fair, a free meal, or a fun time for your family near you!

The Oregon Department of Education and the Department of Early Learning and Care released a multilingual FAQ to assist families with common questions about transitioning into kindergarten.

Looking for fun things to do with your little ones? Head over to the Events tab on the Pollywog Facebook Page to find activities and events from all over Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties.

This May, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) honors the essential role of resource families and respite providers in creating safe and nurturing environments for children and young adults.

The Pollywog Parent Voice blog is looking for local parents to write original blog posts about parenting young children — from pregnancy through age five.

Join us at the Albany Historic Carousel for an amazing and fun time!

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has launched its first-ever interactive online training for the public about reporting suspected child abuse. The training rollout coincides with Child Abuse Awareness Month and the announcement of a new safety initiative underway in Child Welfare.

Safety priorities in the initiative include improving safety for children in foster care and children who come to the attention of Child Welfare, in addition to providing training to the public and professionals known as mandatory reporters. Mandatory reporters are required by law to report suspected child abuse, and include professionals in healthcare, law enforcement, social work and education fields, among others.

The new online training helps reporters recognize types of child abuse, how to report, and understand when a family needs material or economic assistance. Across the country and in Oregon, efforts to better distinguish between child abuse and neglect and family needs related to poverty are driving family support programs, sometimes called family preservation or prevention.

“We all contribute to child safety not only by being mandatory reporters, but by being mandatory supporters,” said Aprille Flint-Gerner, ODHS Child Welfare Division director. “This training provides the public with the tools needed to recognize signs of abuse that must be reported, as well as understanding when a family needs a community resource or support, rather than a report to the hotline.”

The interactive training takes about an hour to complete and is considered the official Oregon Health Authority and ODHS state course with the most up-to-date guidance on child abuse and effective reporting. Prior to the new training, ODHS used a shorter explanatory video about reporting child abuse.

The course, Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse in Oregon, teaches:

• How to recognize signs of child abuse and understand the definitions.
• The role and impact of personal biases when determining whether a report is required.
• How to make a report and what information to provide to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline.
• What happens after a report is made.
• How to connect a family with resources.

The training also aims to prevent unnecessary abuse reports. The Oregon Child Abuse Hotline (ORCAH) receives a high number of calls that are neither reports of child abuse nor require Child Welfare intervention. In 2024, ORCAH, received 176,393 contacts, resulting in 96,246 documented screening reports. Of the documented reports, 46,483, or 27% resulted in Child Protective Services completing an assessment. ORCAH data shows that 80% of reports are from mandatory reporters, largely from representatives of law enforcement, education and the medical field.

Data in Oregon and nationally show that Black and/or African American and American Indian/Alaska Native families are disproportionately reported to child welfare. The training addresses how reporters can recognize their personal biases, including how they view a child or family in need.

“We hope the training will help reduce disproportionality in reporting and get families connected to the services they need to thrive,” Flint-Gerner said. “Child safety is about early intervention in communities whenever possible, so that children who are unsafe get help quickly, and families who need resources get connected to supports. Prevention and early intervention are where the public and mandatory reporters can really make a difference.”

The new training is available on the Reporting Child Abuse web page in partnership with Oregon State University’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE).

Resources

• Additional materials about reporting child abuse 
• Find local resources, financial assistance, food pantry information and other free or reduced-cost help at 211info.org, via phone at 211, or via text 898211
• Information about how youth in foster care can file a complaint: email fco.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov or call 855-840-6036