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Department of Early Learning and Care

Early Childhood Equity Fund

DELC has launched a statewide Request for Applications (RFA) for the Birth Through Five (B-5) Literacy Grants!


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What is the Early Childhood Equity Fund?

The Early Childhood Equity Fund (ECEF) was created as part of the Student Success Act and provides about $10 million annually in grants to support culturally specific, kindergarten readiness and family support programming, including the following service areas:

Kids playing behind an adult

This includes the following organizations and programs:

  • Parent-child interactions
  • Parenting education
  • Early literacy and family literacy
  • Native language preservation

ECEF funds Culturally Specific Organizations (CSO) and Culturally Specific Early Learning Programs (CSLEP) that focus on closing opportunity gaps for children and families who face historical and current inequities due to factors such as race, income, zip code, or language. ECEF grantees are committed to providing early learning services rooted in culture, home language, and lived experience. 

Culturally Specific Organization or CSO means an organization that serves a particular cultural community and is primarily staffed and led by members of that community; these organizations demonstrate intimate knowledge of lived experience of the community, including but not limited to the impact of structural and individual racism or discrimination on the community; knowledge of specific disparities documented in the community and how that influences the structure of their program or service; ability to describe the community’s cultural practices, health and safety beliefs/practices, positive cultural identity/pride/resilience, immigration dynamics, religious beliefs, etc. and how their services have been adapted to those cultural norms.

Culturally Specific Early Learning Program or CSELP means a program that is designed to serve a particular cultural community and is primarily staffed and led by members of that community and designed by or adapted by members of the cultural community that it serves.

How does equity fund support children and Families?

Parenting Education 

ECEF grantees provide parenting education services focused on enhancing parenting practices and behaviors. Services support positive parenting techniques, increase understanding of child development milestones, and increase access to community services and supports.

Parent-Child Interaction 

Another service area focuses on parent‐child interaction. Through direct coaching, parents learn how to positively influence behaviors and strengthen bonds with their child. Grantees increase opportunities for parent‐child interactions and parental awareness.

Kindergarten Transition

Kindergarten transition services help families and children entering kindergarten feel ready and supported. Grantees focus on the "whole child" with programs that support children’s social-emotional development. Program types include culturally specific early literacy and school readiness, home visiting, and family engagement.

 
 
 

Demographics of Children Served:

Total Number of Children Served in 2021-2022: 3,744.

Equity Fund Grantees: 28.



Equity in Oregon

Oregon is an increasingly diverse state, and our young children are leading the way. Oregon’s nearly 275,000 young children under the age of six are more linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse than the older child and adult population. A quarter of Oregon’s young children speak a language other than English at home. Diversity is an asset and Oregon intends to build an early learning system that recognizes this to make sure more children and families have access to culturally specific early learning opportunities. The Early Childhood Equity Fund expands access and strengthens state partnerships with culturally specific organizations and Tribal nations. 

Equity Fund Grantees

The Center for Improvement of Child & Family Services at Portland State University:Building the Case for Culturally Specific P-3 Strategies in Oregon

Providers and partners who receive funding from the state through an ELD contract or agreement are required to complete an equity training. Click herefor more information.

Early Childhood Equity Grant Manual
Early Childhood Equity Fund Sample Grant Agreement
Early Childhood Equity Fund Fact Sheet–English version
Frequently Asked Questions–Equity Fund

Birth Through Five Literacy Grants 2024-2025

Request for Applications

We are excited to announce that the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) has officially launched a statewide Request for Applications (RFA) for the Birth Through Five (B-5) Literacy Grants.

This RFA is open for interested and eligible providers to apply to participate in and deliver services under the Early Childhood Equity Fund Program (ECEF) for Birth through Five Literacy activities for the 2024-2025 program year. To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must be current Early Childhood Equity Fund (ECEF) grantees or be a culturally specific organization and/or operate a culturally specific early learning program within Oregon’s borders.

DELC anticipates awarding up to $4.7 million through this RFA. Each applicant may request up to a maximum amount of $200,000. These one-time awards will last through the State fiscal biennium (June 30, 2025).

Are you interested in applying?

Interested applicants have the option to apply in English or Spanish. All application materials must be received by 5:00pm on August 2, 2024.

The Single Point of Contact (SPC) for this RFA is Lori Nordlien. Here email address is: lori.nordlien@delc.oregon.gov.

Want to learn more about this opportunity?

DELC staff held an informational webinar in English/Spanish on July 10th, 2024.

Webinar video recording | Birth through Five RFA Webinar presentation

Subvención de Alfabetización Desde el Nacimiento Hasta los Cinco Años de Edad 2024-2025

Solicitud de Aplicaciones

Nos complace anunciar que el Departamento de Aprendizaje y Cuidado Temprano (DELC, por sus siglas en inglés) ha lanzado oficialmente una Solicitud de Aplicaciones (RFA, por sus siglas en inglés) en todo el estado de Oregón para la Subvención de Alfabetización desde el Nacimiento hasta los Cinco Años (B-5).

Esta solicitud RFA está abierta para que los proveedores interesados y elegibles que soliciten participar y prestar servicios bajo el Programa del Fondo de Equidad en la Primera Infancia (ECEF, por sus siglas en inglés) para las actividades de alfabetización desde el nacimiento hasta los cinco años, para el año programático 2024-2025. Para ser elegible para esta oportunidad, los solicitantes deben ser beneficiarios actuales del Fondo de Equidad en la Primera Infancia (ECEF, por sus siglas en inglés) o ser una organización culturalmente específica y/u operar un programa de aprendizaje temprano culturalmente específico dentro de las fronteras de Oregón.

DELC anticipa otorgar hasta $4.7 millones a través de esta RFA. Cada solicitante puede solicitar hasta un monto máximo de $200,000. Esta adjudicación es única y durará hasta el bienio fiscal estatal (30 de junio de 2025).

¿Está Usted Interesado en Aplicar?

Los solicitantes interesados tienen la opción de presentar su solicitud en inglés o español. Todos los materiales de solicitud deben recibirse antes de las 5:00 p.m. del 2 de agosto de 2024.

El Punto Único de Contacto (SPC) para esta solicitud RFA es: Lori Nordlien. Aquí tiene la dirección del correo electrónico: lori.nordlien@delc.oregon.gov.

¿Quiere Usted Aprender Más Sobre Esta Oportunidad?

El personal de DELC organizará un seminario web informativo en inglés / español a las 3:00 p.m. el 10 de julio de 2024. Este seminario web y los materiales de la solicitud RFA se grabarán y publicarán en el sitio web de DELC en la página de inicio de ECEF.

Vídeo del seminario web | Seminario Web Informacional del RFA

Application Materials