The Education and Quality Investment Partnership (EQUIP) is a major new initiative to improve the quality of early care and education in Oregon.
The Oregon Commission for Child Care, the Children’s Institute, The Oregon Community Foundation, and the Oregon Child Care Division are partners in the initiative.
Initial support for EQUIP includes $2.9 million in federal stimulus funds and a $200,000 contribution from The Oregon Community Foundation.
Read the full press release, with comments from Governor Kulongoski, Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley.
What is EQUIP?
EQUIP is an innovative public-private partnership aimed at improving the quality of childcare, strengthening the early care and education workforce and preparing Oregon’s youngest children for success in school.
Why is EQUIP needed?
More than 68,000 children in Oregon spend a significant amount of time in out-of-home care. Research demonstrates that the quality of care and education impacts children’s well-being and their preparedness for school. Teachers and caregivers often face challenges continuing their education. EQUIP will address many of these challenges.
How will EQUIP benefit Oregon’s children?
EQUIP has two strategies for raising the quality of child care in Oregon. The first strategy focuses on individual teachers and caregivers. By offering early childhood professionals incentives to continue their education, EQUIP will help build the skills and competencies of Oregon’s early childhood workforce. A better prepared early childhood workforce means better outcomes for children and families. The second strategy, which is still in development, focuses on program-level improvements. By providing early care and education programs with evidenced-based benchmarks and technical assistance for achieving them, EQUIP will help programs improve their quality. While participation will be voluntary, EQUIP will provide attractive incentives to make quality improvements possible.
How will EQUIP benefit Oregon’s economy?
Child care is a crucial support structure for Oregon’s workforce, and a significant source of employment itself. The child care industry is composed of 7,900 businesses that employ 14,420 people. The child care industry purchases more than $256 million in goods and services per year. Over 90,000 parents pay for child care.
Who is involved in EQUIP?
EQUIP is the result of an effort that began in 2008 when state agencies and private organizations came together to create a strategy to raise the quality of early care and education in Oregon. State agencies including the Child Care Division, the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Education worked with The Oregon Community Foundation, the Commission on Child Care, the Children’s Institute and many others to create EQUIP. The incentives for individuals will be administered by the Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education at Portland State University.
For more information, contact the Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education (877-725-8535; 503-725-8535; or visit their website). Information about the Education Awards is also available here.
How many people are expected to participate in EQUIP?
EQUIP expects more than 7,000 teachers and caregivers – 50 percent of the workforce – to earn educational awards. EQUIP also expects to help 100 programs achieve a higher standard within two years. Thousands of children and families in Oregon will benefit from EQUIP.
How is EQUIP funded?
Initial funding for EQUIP includes $2.9 million in federal stimulus funds, $200,000 from The Oregon Community Foundation and funds from the state’s Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, which will provide ongoing funding for the workforce development and quality-improvement program. The funds from the federal stimulus are specifically designated for projects that improve the quality of child care.
When will EQUIP start?
The first phase of EQUIP is already up and running, and letters to those who are eligible for the educational awards have been sent. The second part of EQUIP, which focuses on programs, will be launched later in 2009. Because of EQUIP’s innovative public-private partnership, both parts of the program will be ongoing.
Who is eligible to earn the educational awards and what will they receive?
Individuals who work in licensed child care programs or are “active listed” with DHS (serving families receiving Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) subsidies) will receive the full award ranging between $50 and $500 depending on level of education. Individuals who work in a non-licensed preschool are eligible for a $50 award. In order to be eligible, participants also must work for at least 20 hours a week at their program.
Rewards are as follows:
- $100 at Step 3 through Step 6 of the Oregon Registry
- $250 at Step 7 through 8.5 of the Oregon Registry (equivalent to an CDA)
- $500 at Step 9 or above of the Oregon Registry (equivalent to an AA)
- Those who are working in a License Exempt program and are at a Step 3 or above on the Oregon Registry are eligible for $50.
For more information on the EQUIP Initiative partners, please visit their websites.
Child Care Division
Childhood Care & Education Coordinating Council
Commission on Child Care
Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education
Oregon Child Care Resource and Referral Network
Oregon Child Care Research Partnership
Children’s Institute
If you have any questions about this program, feel free to contact Mary Louise McClintock, OCF Early Childhood Program Director, via email or at 503.227.6846.