Child Care Agreement Reached

Child Care Agreement Reached

Agreement Makes Care More Accessible, Affordable

Five thousand Child Care providers and the State of Oregon reached an historic first agreement.
The agreement includes the first meaningful increase for Child Care providers in 12 years, a training fund for providers, and lower co-payments to make child care more affordable for working parents. It also opens the state subsidized Child Care program to more families.

"Gov Kulongoski deserves credit for underscoring the value of Child Care providers and recognizing their tremendous contribution to Oregon's economy. Child Care workers who care for Oregon's future depend on funding to provide quality care. Chrystal Schnexdayer

"As a mother and a grandmother who takes care of my grandchildren, this program is not only well-deserved and needed, but is greatly appreciated by parents," explains Crystal Shnexdayer, child care provider from Hillsboro.

SEIU Local 503 Executive Director Leslie Frane adds, "We are especially proud that this agreement reduces the cost of child care for parents and allows more families to receive state-subsidized child care.

We appreciate the fact that the Governor's budget will pay for this agreement and that makes progress possible. It means more kids will get quality, affordable child care, and fewer providers will find themselves trapped below the poverty line."

Wages for Child Care providers – who all make less than the minimum wage – will receive an average increase of 18%. The economic portion of the agreement will go before the Legislature in the upcoming session.

Non-economic issues go into effect immediately. The Governor allocated child care funds in his budget. Oregon voters overwhelmingly defeated Measure 48, which would have slashed funding for services.

This agreement covers all non-licensed Child Care providers in Oregon — those who care for three children or less. Child Care providers are expected to ratify the agreement by the end of December.