Childcare is Fundamental

05/21/2026

We won a Telly! 🎉

The Douglas Co. Childcare Coalition partnered with McFarland Productions to tell an important story about the childcare shortage in our community.

Our video, Childcare Crossroads, The Douglas County Story, was just awarded a Bronze Telly Award recognizing excellence in video storytelling.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this project to life 🧡

Learn more and get involved at https://childcareis.org/

05/19/2026

We’re excited to see the results of our community’s multi-year effort to expand childcare opportunities in Douglas County. Through the Douglas County Childcare Coalition’s Childcare Workforce Incentive Program and partner Care Connections & Education, new childcare sites, expanded slots, and staff retention support are helping more local families access the care they need.

The Douglas County Childcare Coalition is a broad-based group of business, community, and education/workforce leaders working together to find real solutions to childcare accessibility in our area. Thank you to our partners, funders, and childcare providers for helping move this work forward for Douglas County families and employers.

Learn more at https://childcareis.org/

05/08/2026

Happy Childcare Professional Appreciation Day to the incredible providers across Douglas County!

You show up every day to care for, teach, and nurture our youngest learners, giving children a safe place to grow and families the support they need to work and thrive.

Thanks for everything you do today and everyday for our community!

04/23/2026

Oh, what a day in Douglas County! Yesterday’s proclamation by the Douglas County Government County Commissioners recognizing National Childcare Provider Appreciation Day was a powerful reminder of just how essential this work is to our community. It was truly inspiring to hear from childcare providers, early learning professionals, community partners, and commissioners—all coming together with a shared commitment to children and families.

From the Douglas Co. Childcare Coalition to our dedicated early childhood professionals: we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you. Your work makes all other work possible ❤️

Link to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzO1uhmzJkA&t=2660s

Link to press release: https://www.douglascountyor.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/353

04/15/2026

Join us in celebrating the people who make it all possible 💙

The Douglas County Commissioners will be issuing a proclamation in honor of National Childcare Providers Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 22 at 9:00 am, and we’d love to see a strong show of support from our community.

Childcare is the profession that makes all other workforce sectors possible. We see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you 💙

04/10/2026

Congratulations to those Douglas County organizations and providers who were selected for funding. These investments will help strengthen and expand childcare options for local families.

We also want to recognize the many providers who applied but were not selected. The time, effort, and care that went into those applications matter, and they speak volumes about the commitment to serving children and families in our region.

Thank you Care Connections & Education and CCD Business for efforts to help all the applicants.

This response shows just how strong the momentum is to grow childcare in Douglas County, and why continued investment in childcare is so important.

A few Douglas County organizations received state grants in the third round of the Child Care Infrastructure Program grants from Business Oregon, the Department of Early Learning and Care and

03/31/2026

In Douglas County, childcare plays a much bigger role than many people realize. It helps parents work, supports local businesses and ensures our community has the workforce it depends on—from healthcare to skilled trades. For many families, childcare is not just a convenience—it is what makes earning a paycheck, continuing education and building a stable future possible. Programs like Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) help make that possible.

Check out this recent news story from the Douglas ESD and the local Childcare Coalition. https://www.douglasesd.k12.or.us/about-douglas-esd/news/default-board-post-page/~board/news/post/parents-earn-while-children-learn

Quality childcare matters for families, for kids, and for our community. But finding affordable, reliable care can be hard. When families have access to great childcare, children thrive, parents can work, and local businesses grow.

03/17/2026

📣 Program Update

The Klamath & Lake County Childcare Incentive Program will be ending in late March 2026.

This effort helped support new childcare slots for local families.

✅ Final applications accepted through March 31, 2026
https://biz4kids.org/coalition-provider-hub/
✅ Retention bonuses will continue for approved staff

Thank you to our childcare providers for your heart work and heart work. We are grateful for the Oregon Community Foundation for making this program possible 💙

03/11/2026

ATTENTION OREGON CONSTRUCTION FAMILIES: Financial assistance for child care is now available for registered apprentices and early-career journey workers in construction.

☑️ Are your children under the age of 12 (or with special needs under the age of 17) living at home and needing care from someone other than a parent?
☑️ Are you spending more than 2-7% of your household income on child care?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you may qualify for the Child Care for Construction Program. Learn more and sign up at
https://www.oregon.gov/boli/apprenticeship/Pages/Financial%20Assistance%20for%20Registered%20Apprentices.aspx?fbclid=IwY2xjawQex_9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvVDZBeW1MQlN3Wk9wWjVLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkF28zAlA2h3yt9DI95geI_EnGZFJLBsOpPk07lwdEUILekKSd7LBQAio6Di_aem_e7UYJfDU9t95NymosAiA3A

Not in the trades? Help spread the word to parents who are. Become a vital link in our support network by sharing this information with your family, friends, and community, in person or online.

For questions or more information:
[email protected]

02/17/2026

📣 Program Update
The Douglas County Childcare Incentive Program will be ending in February 2026.

This successful effort helped support 300+ new childcare slots for local families.

✅ Final applications accepted through Feb. 28, 2026
✅ Retention bonuses will continue for approved staff
➡️ Klamath/Lake program will continue

Thank you to our childcare providers for your heart work and heart work. We are grateful for The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation and the John and Ginger Niemeyer Foundation (housed through OCF) for making this program possible 💙

The Douglas County Childcare Coalition, co-led by Care Connections & Education and Business Champions for Kids, is here to provide extra support for those who work in childcare and those starting or growing a childcare business.