Legislature Extends ERDC

Budget Proposal Preserves Child Care through Biennium

Responding to entreaties from SEIU 503 Child Care workers, parents and community allies, state legislators have included a second year of funding for Employment Related Day Care, preserving care for 5,500 children and thousands of jobs for low-wage Oregonians.

The original 2009-11 budget ensured one year’s funding for the program, which helps parents enter and remain in the workforce by providing modest subsidies to cover child care expenses. When the legislature returned to Salem for its special session in February, SEIU 503 members and allies such as Children First for Oregon mounted a campaign to convince legislators that of the program’s importance.

SEIU 503 child care providers, working parents and their supporters conducted a “visibility day” at the State Capitol and have phoned individual legislators to underscore that ERDC often saves two jobs — that of the provider and the parent — and also promotes quality care for children

“The response in Salem has been very gratifying,” said Portia Moye, president of the SEIU 503 child care local. “We are also grateful that the Obama Administration seems ready to continue providing significant federal economic recovery funding for this program.”

Portia Moye was quoted in two local news stories covering the issue. LIsten to the radio clips here and here.


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