SVP Portland’s Advocacy Role
The Oregon House is in session with two bills that affect our work — and we’re leveraging our influence to support them. Lawmakers kicked off the 2023 legislative session in mid-January and there are several House Bills (HB) that are directly related to our early childhood goals. As a 501(c)(3) organization – an IRS designation for nonprofit – we are able to influence legislation as long as it is within set boundaries. We hope that Oregon legislators will follow through on their promises to support children and families by strengthening child care programs and services in the current session.
The two bills of primary interest are both critical to building the early childhood facilities infrastructure that Oregon’s economy and children need.
Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund (HB 3005) will create an early learning and care facilities fund to expand quality, culturally relevant programs in Oregon.
Child Care Zoning and Building Code Study and Recommendations (HB 2727) will create a taskforce to review the impact of land use, government zoning, building codes, and permitting processes on the expansion of early childhood facilities, including disproportionate impacts. At the conclusion of the review, the taskforce will create recommendations for cities, counties, and state agencies to improve processes to support the expansion of early childhood facilities.
As an example of our advocacy, Child Care Facilities Initiative Lead Rachel Langford testified on behalf of SVP to the House Committee on Early Education and Human Services in support of HB 3005 and HB 2727. She shared, “Our initiative has been working to support the roll out of Multnomah County’s universal preschool program, Preschool for All. One major challenge to reaching universal access is the lack of available spaces, and as you’ve already heard, opening a new or expanded facility is unbelievably daunting both financially and logistically.”
She went on to highlight how accessing capital and navigating expansion is exponentially more difficult for child care providers of color. “A lack of familiarity with technical terms and the administrative structure of city, county and state agencies, plus the lack of information and support in native languages all add to the significant challenges these providers face,” Rachel said. “And when it comes to accessing needed capital for these projects, we know that providers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color face more systemic barriers.”
She concluded her testimony by stating, “Decreasing the regulatory challenges while increasing funding and support will be a gamechanger for this sector and accelerate the development of outstanding places and spaces for our youngest children to learn, grow, and thrive.”
A second example of our advocacy is by leveraging our voice, in conjunction with many of our Community Partners, and signing Early Childhood Coalition letters in support of bills. The first letter is in support of HB 3005 and HB 2727, which will expand early childhood facilities. The second is in support of HB 2991, which will create equitable early childhood workforce pathways by removing unnecessary barriers to professional credentials. There is power in collective advocacy!
