CCRN Spring 2026

Newsletter and Training Calendar

Spring 2026 Training Calendar

Visit the CCRN Website

Online Training Registration Form

Greetings Early Educators and Partners,

As spring arrives, we are reminded of the beauty of growth, renewal, and new beginnings.

We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for the incredible work you do each day. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment help to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and thrive. The impact you make in the lives of young children and their families is truly meaningful and deeply appreciated. Thank you for the care, love, and enthusiasm you bring to your classrooms each day. Your work supports children’s development in ways that last a lifetime.

Just as the world around us begins to bloom, our classrooms continue to nurture curiosity, creativity, and joyful learning for our youngest learners. Spring also offers many opportunities to extend children’s exploration through nature, outdoor play, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections with their environment.

As we move into this season of fresh energy and new opportunities, we hope this newsletter provides you with ongoing updates, helpful resources, reminders, and ideas to support teaching and learning throughout the spring months. We hope it encourages collaboration, inspiration, and continued growth across our early childhood community.

Claudia, Courtney, Cynthia, Dylan, Devon, Katrina, Kevin, Kelly, Lorena, Martha, Maureen, Molly

A Very Special Update

Please join us in wishing our wonderful Infant Toddler Specialist, Candelaria Romero, all the best as she moves on to an exciting new opportunity!

We’d like to give a big thank-you to Candelaria for the lasting impact she's had on us and many of you as well. Candelaria has been a valued member of our team for many years, bringing great energy, laughter, and plenty of memorable moments along the way.

Candelaria,

Although it is a happy (but slightly bittersweet) goodbye, we can’t wait to see all the great things you will accomplish in your new role. We’re grateful for the enthusiasm, talent, and teamwork you brought to our group. We wish you every success as you start this next chapter—we’ll be cheering you on!

Every Child Belongs Connect Supports

Caring for groups of children is meaningful work, but it is also hard work. It’s normal to experience challenges, and it is expected that everyone will need a little extra support from time to time. It is okay to ask for help! ECB Connect supports educators to do what they do best; build healthy, inclusive spaces where every child can thrive.

How to access support:

1. Visit everychildbelongs.org Every Child Belongs – A new service designed to support educators to help keep young children in care.

2. Scroll down to the Request ECB Connect Support section.

3. Fill out a brief form.

4. Click “Submit” at the bottom of the form.

5. Once the form is submitted, a specialist in our region will contact you to learn more about your concerns and how the ECB team can best assist you.

Our local contact point for Every Child Belongs in Jackson and Josephine counties is the Family Nurturing Center!

Phone: 541-779-5242

Email: info@rvfnc.org

Medford

Main Street Family Campus

825 E. Main Street, Suite A

Medford, OR 97504

Fax: 541-779-2523

Open:

M-Th 9:00 am–5:00 pm

Friday 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Grants Pass 7th Street Campus

735 SE 7th Street

Grants Pass, OR 97526

Fax: 541-295-8130

Open:

M-F 9:00 am–2:00 pm

State Wide Supports Available

Introducing Oregon ELMS

The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is getting ready to make a new online system available to support child care providers, families, and partners across Oregon.

Oregon Early Learning Management System (Oregon ELMS) will be available this summer of 2026. Oregon ELMS will replace existing licensing and subsidy (ERDC) tools with one system that can be used from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Oregon ELMS is designed to make working with DELC easier and clearer.

What Oregon ELMS Means for Child Care Providers?

In one simple system, Oregon ELMS will help you:

• Use one secure account to work with DELC in your preferred language

• Keep your information in one place, including:

- Contact details, Payments, and

Documents

• Send and track licensing applications

• Bill for subsidy (ERDC) payments and view ERDC notifications

• Track training requirements

• Get clear messages and next steps from DELC

These changes will save time, cut paperwork, and help you focus on children and families.

Oregon ELMS Information Page

Oregon ELMS Provider Communication Brief

The updated Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Provider Guide Insert is now available on the ERDC website in English, Spanish, Russian, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.

This update reflects important rate changes and includes previously shared information for providers.

What’s New:

Rate Increase for License-Exempt Family Child Care Providers – Effective March 1, 2026

The maximum ERDC provider rates are increasing for:

License-exempt Standard Family (FAM) providers

License-exempt Enhanced Family (QFM) providers

These updated rates apply to child care provided in March 2026 and later.

The updated insert also includes:

ERDC provider rates for licensed providers effective January 1, 2026

Enhanced Rate information and application link

The ERDC 9% Additional Payment form and request process effective January 1, 2024

Providers are encouraged to review the updated insert on the ERDC website to ensure they are using the most current rate information.

ERDC Child Care Provider Guide

ERDC Provider Guide Insert

The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Grant

This grant supports child care facilities with lead remediation projects, providing funding for safe drinking water improvements, requiring licensed plumbers for most work. This grant is designed to reduce lead in drinking water by supporting projects that address the underlying causes of elevated lead levels in child care and educational facilities. It provides essential funding to help facilities ensure safe drinking water for children.

For more information and eligibility requirements Click Here!

Local Free Tax Support is available! Location:

Medford: United Way Jackson County, 541-864-5092, unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org

First Children's Finance Oregon

Upcoming Trainings and Opportunities

Observation and Assessment Pilot Seeking Providers!

Recruitment Survey for TPOT/TPITOS Pilot

For More Information on the Pyramid Model Click Here!

The Research Institute (TRI) at Western Oregon University is conducting a Pilot Project to consider adding the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) and Teaching Pyramid Infant-Toddler Observation Scale (TPITOS) as potential tools for Spark observations.

As part of this project, TRI is seeking volunteer programs to participate in TPOT and TPITOS observations during the Spring of 2026.

Participating programs will receive a written report after the observation and have the opportunity to tell TRI about their experience. Programs can use their observation report for a Spark QI cycle, which may include incentive funds.

Rooted Beginnings Training Dates

Join our interactive workshop designed specifically for early childhood educators!

We explore:

Foundational principles and practical tools informed by brain science, trauma and attachment theory, and social-emotional learning Understanding behavior as communication and respond compassionately Strengthening our own regulation skills to create safer classroom environments
The harmful impacts of power and inequities

To help early learners:

Regulate their bodies and brains Build emotional/feelings vocabulary Begin to problem solve independently
Grow age-appropriate communication skills

Dates:

In person: Friday, May 29-6pm-8pm*

and

Saturday, May 30 8am-4pm*

*Dinner & lunch provided

Virtual: Wednesday, June 10 from 6pm-8pm

and

June 24 from 6pm-8pm

Location: The Phoenix Building 5465 S Pacific HWY, Phoenix, OR 97535

English Flyer

English Registration Link

Spanish Flyer

Spanish Registration Link

Collaborative Problem Solving

6 Week Virtual Classes

Kairos is offering free virtual classes on collaborative problem solving available to anyone who lives with, works with, coaches, teaches, supports, or knows children. This is an incredible opportunity for our community. Please see the information links below.

Please note that the classes will be facilitated in English with translation services available. For any questions or to register, please contact training@kairosnw.org or call (541) 592-9991.

April 14th - May 19th Tuesdays 5:30pm to 7:30pm

May 22nd - June 26th Tuesdays 11:30am to 1:30pm

September 22nd - October 27th Tuesdays 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Did you know you can update your program information and available openings yourself?!

The Find Child Care Oregon Provider Portal gives you access to your FCCO program profile and allows you to update your program’s information at any time.

You have access to update

information such as:

Referral Status
Contact Information
Operational Days & Hours
Age Groups Served
Enrollment
Vacancies
Message for families
Pictures

Want more information on what the FCCO Provider Portal is and how to access your profile? Feel free to reach out and we are happy to help!

Please contact us at

541-776-8590x1126

FCCO Provider Support Documents

Training Reminders!

Please remember that to receive credit for a training session you must:

Attend the session: Training credit requires full attendance and participation, which is measured through staff and Zoom reports. You CANNOT miss more than 15 minutes!
Be active and engaged in the content of the session (this is verified by reviewing the saved chat): You MUST participate in breakout rooms, polls, and chat.
Be PRE-Registered through CCRN: Each attendee MUST register with CCRN to receive training credit. Please register by noon the day before a training to GUARANTEE that you are registered (we do not always have staff available for last-minute requests – though we do our best!)

Spring 2026 Training Calendar

Online Training Registration Form

Exciting Local and National Upcoming Events

Jackson and Josephine County Health Fair 2026 at the EXPO

Join us for the Jackson & Josephine Health Fair on

Saturday, April 18, from 10 AM–4 PM at The Expo,

21 Peninger Road, Central Point, OR.

Free health screenings, immunizations, community resources, family-friendly activities, and more*.

Free entry!

*Free Bus service avaliable*

*Food Vendors on site*

April 11th-17th Week of the Young Child 2026 and

NACEY Turns 100!

A fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities—now marking 100 years of NAEYC and the 55th anniversary of Week of the Young Child.

Each April, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invites educators, families, and communities to come together for the Week of the Young Child® (WOYC)—a joyful celebration of early learning, young children, and the adults who support them. Through themed days like Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, and Artsy Thursday, WOYC highlights the critical role of play, creativity, and collaboration in a child’s development. It’s a time to recognize the importance of high-quality early childhood education and to advocate for the professionals who make it possible.