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The Preschool Promise (PSP) Request for Application (RFA) process allows for the reallocation of 358 slots and gives eligible applicants the chance to be placed on the Preschool Promise Applicant Waitlist Pool for the 2024-2025 program year.
This RFA has closed! This page is for informational purposes only.
DELC will have more opportunities in the future. To learn about those opportunities, check back periodically on DELC's website. We thank all the applicants for their interest!
See the list of recipients
Preschool Promise is a high-quality, publicly funded preschool program that serves families living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and children in foster care. Preschool Promise is delivered in a variety of settings including centers, homes, and schools.
The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is seeking applications from interested entities across the state to reallocate a total of 358 Slots within 14 Early Learning Hub (ELH) regions.
Note: the number of reallocation slots varies by Hub.
Also, DELC is offering eligible applicants the chance to be placed (and remain) on the Preschool Promise Applicant Waitlist Pool. This waitlist will allow eligible applicants to receive Preschool Promise Slots that become available during the 2024-25 Program year. This waitlist is available to all 16 Early Learning Hubs. Please read the RFA below to learn about the process for eligibility and selection for your specific Early learning Hub region.
Watch our How to Apply Webinars in English or Spanish to learn more about this process.
Webinar Slideshow - English
Webinar Slideshow - Spanish
The table below represents a tentative schedule of events. All times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST). All dates listed are subject to change.
Note: Due to a higher than anticipated amount of applications for Preschool Promise, our new approximate intent to award date will be Friday, July 12th. We appreciate your continued patience while we continue to evaluate applications. The award protest period ends 7 calendar days after notice of intent to award.
For the 2024-25 program year, the grant begins July 1, 2024 and ends June 30, 2025.
Preschool Promise awards grantees with a certain number of slots for eligible children to fill. The funding per slot is as follows:
Eligibility for slot awards is dependent on Hub region as shown below:
Note: DELC is not currently accepting applications for slot reallocations in Early Learning Washington County or Southern Oregon Early Learning Services. However, RFA applications can be submitted for inclusion on the PSP Applicant Pool Waitlist.
DELC is currently not accepting any applications for slot reallocation in these regions. However, RFA applications can be submitted for inclusion on the PSP Applicant Pool Waitlist.
Q: What if I don't necessarily want the reallocation slots now, but would like to be in line for future relocation or expansion? How do you apply to be on the waitlist?
A: If you would like to apply for only the waitlist in a hub region. Please select the option for 0 slots when you fill out your application. By default, you will still remain in the running for a possible award to a spot on the waitlist.
Q: Going forward, if spots open in our county, will current providers be considered for reallocation or only new wait list programs?
Q: Is the application the same for current programs wanting more slots and those wanting to become a new wait list program?
Q: If I am only interested in the current re allocation, do I need to complete the entire application?
A: Yes, you do need to complete the full application to be considered.
Q: How to register or access the link for the RFA webinar that DELC is hosting on 5/22
A: The link to webinar(s) can be found in section 3.1.3.1 of the RFA and at the following landing page: https://www.oregon.gov/delc/programs/Pages/PSP-RFA-and-waitlist.aspx
Q: Where can I watch the webinar that was done on May 22nd?
Q: I would like to apply. How do I apply?
A: To apply - Please visit https://www.oregon.gov/delc/programs/Pages/PSP-RFA-and-waitlist.aspx and submit an application using the link. More information regarding the RFA(s) can be found on this landing page.
Q: I was a PSP provider in the past. Does this make me a “new” or “existing program”?
A: If you’re not currently providing PSP services then you would be a “new” provider, even if you have offered PSP services in past.
Q: What section is the scoring rubric in and the Evaluation Criteria?
A: Section 4 of the RFA is the Evaluation Criteria information. Section 4.2 has the scoring rubric in it.
Q: Is Spark needed to qualify?
Q: What is Spark?
A: “Spark” means the system established through ORS 329A.261 which establishes a set, or progressively higher standards used to evaluate the quality of an early learning and development program and to support program improvement. Refer to pages 6-7 in the RFA for a full list of definitions or visit for more information about SPARK: https://oregonspark.org/
Q: There was an email that was sent stating the due date for applications was June 10, 2024. The Application says the due date is June 17, 2024. What’s the accurate due date?
A: The application deadline is June 17th 2024 at 5:00 PM PST.
Q: Is there a way to request feedback on a previous application?
A: You can request information from a previous RFA by doing a public records request. Here’s the link for more information how to do a public records request and what to expect. https://www.oregon.gov/delc/about-us/pages/contact-us.aspx#PublicRecordsRequests
Q: I am a Certified Family in-home childcare provider, and I was wondering how the preschool promise program would work for an in-home childcare.
A: Preschool Promise is a mixed delivery program which means that they service PSP children and non-PSP children. Many of our PSP grantees are blending funds, For example, some grantees blend PSP funding with ERDC. They use ERDC funding to cover for the before and after care (hours outside the PSP hours). However, it is up to the business owner to decide how to best blend state funding and how many PSP children they want to serve. It is also important to ensure that the number of PSP children does not displace any non-PSP children. Please read over the PSP RFA document and sample grant agreement for a complete of the expectations.
Q: Currently, we are certified as a family care provider, but we will be transitioning to a center. Although I indicated 'certified family' on my application, we are in the process of becoming a center.
A: You could apply for the new center and be placed on the waitlist with this current RFA.
Q: Can we select the number of slots per site we want or will they tell us?
A: Applicants must indicate the number of PSP children they would like to serve. Note: the number of slots available for reallocation varies by Hub region.
Q: The operating hours in Exhibit A says direct service hours must be between 7a-5p. Does this mean we can only operate until 5?
A: Yes, PSP hours must end no later than 5pm. PSP requires programs to serve a minimum of six hours per day. For families needing services beyond the six hours, they can use ERDC or private pay. Many of our grantees have a 9am – 3pm PSP daily schedule and offer before and after care, which in some cases goes past 5pm.
Q: Is there a specific training or certification for this? "Grantees must have appropriate training in supporting dual language learners, children with special needs, and family structures that may not be reflective of their own.”
A: Please refer to page 10 of PSP RFA to view lead teacher and assistant teacher staff qualifications.
Q: Can we exclude kids because they are not potty trained?
A: No, children cannot be excluded from the program if they are not yet potty trained
Q: Where do we transition the child to if we are not a good fit if we are the only Preschool Promise site nearby?
A: Preschool Promise is a non-expulsion, non-suspension program. Please review page 14 of the PSP Playbook for additional information and resources.
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