In 2023, lawmakers chose to underfund Employment Related Day Care (ERDC). We know that ERDC is a lifeline for families struggling to afford child care.
In November the program was forced to institute an indefinite waitlist—which has grown to more than 1,600 Oregon families who may be waiting for months or even years. It didn’t, and doesn’t have to be this way.
Join us in taking an important action today!
BREAKING: Last week we learned Oregon’s revenue surplus has grown to a historic high: $1.3 BILLION dollars are available to invest in our families. And while just a fraction of these resources could fully address the shortfall, legislative leaders have yet to commit to adequate funding for ERDC.
Hundreds of parents and providers have already taken steps to help us push for investment in ERDC services this session—but we need everyone to continue to TAKE ACTION (before it’s too late).
We need to let our leaders know that Oregon families cannot thrive in a broken child care system. Take the powerful example of parent and Oregon Food Bank digital specialist Natalie Kiyah who lost access to ERDC last year: “I want legislators to understand that poverty drives hunger and the cost of child care drives poverty. Without access to affordable child care, we can’t work and we can’t keep food on the table.”
Please take two minutes to join Natalie and send an email to key elected leaders asking them to support a budget that meets the needs of families struggling to afford child care in this economy. You can also share posts from the Child Care for Oregon coalition with your networks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Thank you for helping us fight for a child care system that is equitable and accessible to all families.
With kindness and in solidarity,
 | Marchel Marcos (she/her)Political, Policy, Advocacy and Civic Engagement (PPACE) Director | APANO CUF O: 971.266.5897 C: 503.421.5237  marchel@apano.org |