January 2024 Newsletter

News and Updates from the Multnomah County Preschool & Early Learning Division

A Note From Our Director

Dear Preschool for All Community,

I hope this email finds you safe following the recent freeze, and that you have been able to spend this season surrounded by the warmth of family. I'm so thankful our work is a part of creating a brighter future for everyone's children.

I’m delighted to share some significant milestones and updates from the Preschool for All team in this newsletter. Below, you’ll find details about the upcoming opening of the 2024-25 PFA family application, fresh data that shows we’re reaching our priority populations, and a bit about the spring launch of the PFA Facilities Fund. 

I’m also excited to highlight our recent appearance on OPB’s Think Out Loud as part of a series focused on solutions to some of Oregon’s toughest challenges. We were honored to be included, and to be joined by several guests from the community who truly help make Preschool for All a success.

Thank you, as always, for your continued interest in and support of the work we’re doing.

Sincerely, 

Leslee Barnes

Preschool & Early Learning Division Director



The Preschool for All Class of 2024

This year, almost 1,400 Multnomah County three- and four-year-olds are receiving free preschool at one of 82 Preschool for All sites around the county!

Here are some details about the Preschool for All class of 2024:

2024-25 Family Application Opening in March

The countdown is on! We'll be opening the family application for 2024-25 Preschool for All slots on March 26.

Families can sign up here to be notified when the application opens. As a reminder, placement decisions are not made on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications submitted during the initial application window will be considered at the same time. We strongly encourage families to learn about and tour programs to ensure they choose options that will work best for them.

Families can start researching programs now! Did you know that you can call or email any PFA Provider to ask questions about their program or request a site visit even before the application opens? Check out the list of 2023-24 PFA Providers! New 2024-25 providers and an interactive map of all PFA sites will be added to our application website in March.

PFA Facilities Fund Launches This Spring

We’re proud to announce that new resources for preschool providers will launch this spring through BuildUp Oregon, a coalition of Community Development Financial Institutions. BuildUp Oregon will administer the Preschool for All Facilities Fund and offer guidance for qualifying providers seeking to improve, preserve, or expand their facilities. They’ll also work with developers and providers to increase the number of preschool facilities co-located in affordable housing. 

Child care facilities have long been overlooked by funders and rejected by banks, resulting in a lack of early learning spaces and many facilities that need renovation. This historic underinvestment, plus the increased number of children that Preschool for All seeks to serve, creates a significant need for more preschool facilities. 

The partnership with BuildUp Oregon will help the County reach its goal of a publicly funded preschool slot for all interested families by 2030. Multnomah County preschool providers who are ready to expand will soon have access to capital funds and expert guidance to complete their projects!

We'll share more about this work in upcoming newsletters. In the meantime, we’d encourage you to sign up with BuildUp Oregon so you’ll be among the first to get updates when the program officially launches this spring. Visit their website at www.BuildUpOregon.org.



We've started a new round of recruitment for open spots on the PFA Advisory committee. This round is focused on Multnomah County District 4, which includes parts of East Portland, plus Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, and Corbett. We’d especially love to hear from current early childhood educators who are working directly with children.  

The PFA Advisory Committee is a diverse group of individuals including parents, preschool providers, early educators, school district staff, and representatives from various organizations supporting families and early childhood development.  

If you're interested in contributing your insights and expertise, we encourage you to apply for a position on the committee.

Learn more and apply!



January 30, 2024: Advisory Committee Meeting. Learn more.

February 13, 2024: Community Partner Meeting, 12-1pm. Register to attend.

February 16, 2024: Advisory Committee application closes. Apply here.

March 8, 2024: Pilot Site application opens for new providers.

March 26, 2024: 2024-25 family application opens. Sign up to be notified!

New Preschool for All supporter signs are beginning to show up in lawns and windows around the county, and we love to see it!

Would you like one, or several to share in your community? Fill out this survey to help us determine the best way to get them to you.

If you see a sign in the wild, snap a picture, post it on Instagram and tag us @multcopreschoolforall!

Last month, OPB recorded an episode of Think Out Loud live from our Rockwood Market Hall offices! Preschool & Early Learning Division Director Leslee Barnes joined host Dave Miller, PFA Pilot Site providers, parents, and community partners to talk about the ways this program is solving one of our community's most pressing problems.

Listen to the episode!

Here are some highlights:

Feedback or ideas for our upcoming newsletter issues?

We'd love to hear from you!



Preschool For All

Contact us at preschoolforall@multco.us