February 2026 Newsletter

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

A Note From Our Director

Dear PFA Community,

I’m honored to introduce myself as the new Director of Multnomah County’s Preschool and Early Learning Division. I step into this role with deep respect for the work already underway, and with excitement for what we’ll build together!

Preschool for All is at an important moment. What began as a bold community vision is now reaching families across the county. Few regions have built a program at this scale. As you’ll see in this newsletter, the program is expanding faster than expected. We’re offering thousands more tuition-free preschool seats. We’re also supporting the early learning workforce and investing in providers of all sizes — from large centers to home-based family child care.

At the same time, growth brings responsibility. As we scale, we’ll stay focused on listening to families, educators, and community partners. We’ll keep learning from what’s working and where we can improve. We’ll stay grounded in our shared values of equity, quality, and belonging. Strong systems are built through relationships, trust, and ongoing collaboration.

I come to this role as an educator and early learning leader who believes deeply in the power of early childhood education for children, families, and our whole community. I am committed to transparent communication and meaningful partnership. I want Preschool for All to continue reflecting the voices and needs of the families it serves and the providers who make it all possible.



Thank you for being part of this work. I look forward to moving forward together.

Warmly, 

Danisa McLean

Director

Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL)

Multnomah County

This year’s allocations reflect strong provider interest and trust in the program. Sixty-seven new providers joined Preschool for All, and many existing providers are expanding — opening new sites and requesting additional seats. Family Child Care providers continue to play a central role, with 188 family child care sites receiving allocations, alongside child care centers and school-based programs.

Allocations focused on quality, equity, and stability. Priority went to providers with strong licensing histories, enough enrollment capacity, and readiness to meet Preschool for All standards. Actual seat numbers for FY27 may change as providers complete onboarding and facility readiness steps ahead of the school year.

Listening, Learning, and Improving as Preschool for All Grows

As PFA continues to expand, PEL is focused not only on growth, but on growing in the right way. Building a strong, equitable preschool system at this scale takes ongoing learning and community input. It also requires a commitment to continuous improvement over time.

On December 16, PEL shared a briefing with the Board of County Commissioners on PFA’s path to universal preschool. The presentation showed how the program uses data, updated population estimates, and community input to guide planning. This work helps us plan future seat growth and move responsibly toward full implementation.

For more detail, you can view the presentation slides or watch a recording of the briefing. 

We also recently published a brief on Continuous Improvement & Community Engagement. This brief explains how feedback from families, providers, and community partners informs changes to the program. From application improvements and provider supports to inclusion policies and workforce investments, the brief outlines concrete examples of how listening leads to action.

For readers interested in hearing more of what our neighbors are telling us about building a preschool system, a recent blog post shares what nearly 2,000 community members told us about what works for real families and educators — and how their insights continue to shape how Preschool for All grows.

Technical & Program Advisory Group Updates



Who We’re Reaching: PFA Demographics for the 2025-26 Year 

As Preschool for All continues to grow, current enrollment data shows the program is reaching many of the families it was designed to serve.

This year:

• 68% of enrolled children are from families with incomes at or below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, which measures the income a family needs to meet basic needs without outside help
• 26% of enrolled children speak a language other than English at home, reflecting the linguistic diversity of families across Multnomah County
• 64% of enrolled children identify as Black, Indigenous, or Children of Color, highlighting the program’s focus on fair access to early learning
• 16% of enrolled children have a developmental delay or disability, showing why inclusive classrooms and strong supports matter

Together, these data points help PEL understand who is participating in Preschool for All and where continued outreach, policy refinement, and provider support can strengthen access as the program grows.

Investing in Preschool Facilities

Creating new preschool seats requires having safe, high-quality spaces where children can learn and thrive. Through the PFA Facilities Fund, Multnomah County continues to invest in grants, loans, and technical assistance to help providers open new classrooms, expand existing sites, and preserve long-standing programs. So far, these investments have created or preserved more than 950 preschool seats in our community!

The County recently released a new Facilities Fund Brief and public dashboard to share how these investments are supporting providers across the region and strengthening the early learning system over the long term.

BuildUp Oregon, the PFA Facilities Fund administrator, also recently shared an update about how its partnership is evolving as the work scales. Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) will take on a larger role, building on the capacity-building support they already provide. At the same time, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) — a key partner since BuildUp Oregon’s launch in 2023 — will step out of the partnership after helping create and preserve 2,279 child care seats statewide.

This transition is intended to simplify processes and strengthen support for providers as demand for facilities funding continues to grow. PEL will continue working closely with BuildUp Oregon and its partners. The goal is to ensure continuity, transparency, and effective support for providers at every stage. Learn more about BuildUp Oregon’s transition on their blog.



Tuesday, March 3, 2026: PFA Advisory Committee Meeting. Learn about the Advisory Committee.

The PFA Family Application is now closed for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Any seats that become available this school year will be filled from our waitlist, and applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open on April 1. You can sign up now to be notified when the application opens!

Help shape the County’s budget! 

The Department of County Human Services (DCHS) is inviting community members to share input on what services and programs are most important to include in the County’s budget. The anonymous survey takes about five minutes to complete, and early participation is encouraged. Take the survey.



Download the toolkit to find simple ways to help families learn about Preschool for All and get notified when applications open!

Share Your PFA Story

Have you and your child participated in Preschool for All? We’re looking for stories from families to help show the impact of the program, and to inspire others to join! Whether it’s a favorite classroom moment, a meaningful connection with a teacher, or how PFA supported your family’s journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Share your story with us.



Show Your Support for Preschool for All with a Sign!

PFA supporter signs are a great way to visibly advocate for accessible early childhood education throughout the county. If you'd like one, or several to distribute, please fill out this survey to help us coordinate the best way to get them to you.

Start a Career in Early Learning

Are you looking for a rewarding job that helps young children grow? Learn more about becoming an early childhood educator!



It Takes a Village: Provider Perspectives as PFA Grows

Strengthening Preschool Access, One Grand Opening at a Time!

Richmond Learning Academy recently celebrated the grand opening of its second location in Southeast Portland, marking a meaningful milestone for the program and for PFA’s Facilities Fund, which helped make this growth possible. 

PFA provider Shaquoya Richmond has created a space rooted in community, offering preschool and school-aged programming alongside a food bank and women’s support groups. Technical assistance and coaching from BUO supported the project from the very beginning – from helping clean out the vacant building with cell phone flashlights in hand, to shaping the business plan and walking alongside Shaquoya as plans became a reality. 

The grand opening celebration brought together partners from around the early learning system, members of the PFA team, and many families and community members. Guests spent time touring the new center and celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the program and the neighborhood.

Watch a video from the Grand Opening or hear from Richmond Learning Academy’s PFA coach about her thoughts as the new site opens its doors!



PFA Explained: Inclusion in Preschool for All

In Preschool for All, inclusion means every child can learn, grow, and belong in the same classroom community. With the right supports in place, children of all abilities can take part in daily activities with their classmates and build the skills they need for kindergarten and beyond.

This year, about 16% of children enrolled in PFA have a developmental delay or disability. Many classrooms are designed to support a wide range of learning, health, and social-emotional needs. We know that families whose children need extra support often face more barriers to finding care. PFA works to reduce those barriers by prioritizing inclusive classrooms and giving providers extra support.

Families are already seeing the impact. Many report meaningful growth in their children’s communication, self-care skills, and behavior regulation, and they often connect that progress to the individualized support their children receive in their preschool classrooms.

To make inclusion possible, PFA invests in several types of support. Inclusion Coordinators work with providers to solve problems and build stronger relationships with families. Inclusion support funds help programs hire additional staff so children can get more individualized attention. Nursing teams ensure children with chronic medical needs can safely participate in preschool. They also train educators and help create health plans. Partnerships with early childhood special education providers also connect families to services and help coordinate care.

Inclusion is an ongoing process, and we continue to learn from families, educators, and providers each year. Our goal is simple: when classrooms are designed to support a wide range of needs, all children benefit, and every child has the chance to thrive.



County Invests in New Model to Determine Operating Costs

To ensure the long-term success of Preschool for All, Multnomah County is investing in a sophisticated new dynamic modeling tool. The tool will help commissioners and the PEL team better understand the true costs of operating preschools, from wages and insurance to facilities costs. It will support stronger financial planning and long-term growth.

Read more about the new cost model at Willamette Week.

Major Surge in Free Preschool Enrollment Next Year

We’re thrilled to announce a significant surge in seats for the 2026-27 school year! The county has offered over 7,400 seats to providers, putting the program well ahead of its original growth targets. This expansion means thousands more families will have access to high-quality early education, moving us closer than ever to our goal of universal access.

Read the full expansion update at the Portland Mercury.

For Families Who Got In, PFA Changed Everything

For many Multnomah County families, getting into Preschool for All has been a game-changer. From saving nearly $19,000 a year in tuition to seeing their children thrive in culturally responsive environments, local parents share how this voter-approved program has transformed their family’s financial stability and their children’s future.

Watch the family stories on KOIN 6.

Boldness in the Time of Budget Constraint

While many communities across the country face difficult child care cuts, Multnomah County is standing firm in its commitment to young children. This national spotlight explores how PFA serves as a bold model for local governments, demonstrating that investing in early childhood education is a vital strategy for stabilizing families and driving the local economy.

Read the national perspective at New America.

Feedback or ideas for our upcoming newsletter issues?

We'd love to hear from you!



Preschool For All

Contact us at preschoolforall@multco.us