Quarterly Newsletter

You wouldn’t know it by the recent day time temperatures, but Fall is here! I hope you are all enjoying this season that is full of back-to-school activities, sports, outdoor activities, holiday events, and more.

In this newsletter, I want to emphasize the importance of connection. Connection to our community, connection with the partners who do complimentary work to ours, connection with the families we serve.

What does it look like to connect with our community?

• Joining a group that aligns with personal interests you have: faith community, service organization, book club, hiking group, support group
• Volunteering: coach a team, teach a workshop, help in a classroom, make a meal and visit a senior without family, offer child care to a single parent who could use a break
• Civic engagement: participating in local government affairs, participating in community workgroups or grassroots initiatives focused on things you value as important, and of course, voting

What does it look like to connect with the partners who do complimentary work to ours?

• Getting away from virtual meetings and hosting in-person gatherings to promote those essential conversations that happen before and after meetings
• Scheduling one-on-one check-ins with community partners to deepen connection
• Hosting an informal tour of your facility and inviting people you think could benefit from knowing more about what you do

What does it look like to connect with the families we serve?

• Allowing enough time to check in with them at the beginning of each appointment. How are they doing? What is keeping them up at night? What can you celebrate with them?
• Assessing the protective factors you are currently promoting in your agency, the needs and challenges of the families you are serving, and identifying if there are other protective factor strategies you could employ to support them.
• Accompanying a family to attend their first community playgroup, library story time, or other community event that may feel intimidating for them to attend alone

I hope this season is a wonderful balance of engaging in the things that fill you up and deepening your engagement with the partners and families you work with every day.

I appreciate doing this challenging and rewarding work alongside each of you.

René Brandon, Director

Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub

In each newsletter, we will continue to talk about promoting protective factors in the families we serve. We will highlight how readers can receive training and emphasize the strategies we are bringing to the region that you can join and how each one supports specific protective factors.

In each article, look for the notations describing which protective factors are being promoted.

Parental resilience: Managing stress and functioning well when faced with challenges, adversity and trauma

Social connections: Positive relationships that provide emotional, informational, instrumental and spiritual support

Knowledge of parenting and child development: Understanding child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development

Concrete support in times of need: Access to concrete support and services that address a family’s needs and help minimize stress caused by challenges

Social and emotional competence of children: Family and child interactions that help children develop the ability to communicate clearly, recognize and regulate their emotions and establish and maintain relationships

Ready to learn more?

The best way to start is with training on the protective factors:

• FREE Online Trainings from ProSolutions Training, in both English and Spanish. 2 hour sessions on each protective factor. Option for CEU at small cost.
• FREE In-person, full day local training sponsored by SOELS ( dates for future sessions TBD, if you want to sign up for more information contact Sydney_Wing@soesd.k12.or.us to sign up!)

And who should take training? All individuals and organizations who serve families with young children: schools, child care programs, home visitors, health care providers, government agencies, faith based organizations, youth serving organizations, etc.

We are now settled into our new location and looking to increase programming!

We surveyed our families in August and here is some of the feedback we received;

• "The teachers and facility are awesome and the programs are wonderful for my child and I to make friends and learn."
• "Giving the children a chance to meet new friends and socialize and providing the same to the parents too. The community that Growing Together creates makes us all stronger and more supported. Growing together also makes critical resources available to families in need and gives information on growth and milestones that families can use to best nurture their little ones."
• "Growing Together provides a space where you can feel like you are part of community. It is a highlight of my week."

We are looking for additional community partners who would like to offer some free programming to families.

Some programming we are interested in adding includes:

• Pregnancy and Childbirth Classes for Parents
• Baby Sign Language for parents and children
• Dad’s Support Group
• Art and Creative Expression for parents and children
• Ages and Stages of Development for ages 0-5 (short sessions for parents that offer practical strategies to support children during each stage)
• Gross Motor Movement Activities for children
• Sensory Friendly Playgroups

Please reach out if any of these sound like something you would like to explore with us. Or maybe you have some other suggestions to offer!

Protective Factors Supported: Parental Resilience, Social Connections, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, Concrete Supports in Times of Need, and Social and Emotional Competence in Children.

With generous, ongoing support from Redwood Foundation for Education, Four Way Community Foundation, and City of Grants Pass Community Development Block Grant Funds, we are able to prepare this space for our families. We could not have done it without this support and we are so grateful.

“As a grandma myself and an experienced parenting educator, I understand how rewarding—and sometimes challenging—it can be to navigate the ever-changing world of parenting. Grandparents have such an important role in the lives of their grandchildren, and today, many grandparents are taking on even greater caregiving responsibilities.

I’m passionate about creating a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where grandparents can connect with one another, share their experiences, and learn about current parenting approaches and resources. I’m excited to bring my experience and love of supporting families to the Southern Oregon community and help grandparents feel confident, connected, and supported in this important role.”

-Laurie Nerat, Facilitator

Interested families can visit Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub’s Preschool Promise webpage to learn more about Preschool Promise opportunities in Jackson and Josephine County. Lotteries will be ongoing to fill slots as they are available. Please reach out to Southern Oregon Early Learning Services for more information!

Email enrollment@soesd.k12.or.us or call (541) 776-8590, ext. 1145.

Para asistencia en español, llame (541) 776-8590, extensión 1190.

Protective Factors Supported: Concrete Supports in Times of Need, and Social and Emotional Competence in Children.

We are looking for new families to join both our Jackson and Josephine County PACs! Please email Jordan_Rogers@soesd.k12.or.us for more information, or complete our interest form here!

You may remember from our last newsletter, all of the current participating families have agreed that stepping into the PAC helped them as parents while learning about available resources and connecting with other parents. Additionally, they all agreed that they knew that their work with the PACs has made a difference both in their social spheres among family, friends, peers, colleagues, etc. as well as in their communities.

The Family Connection (TFC) is Southern Oregon’s designated parenting hub, serving Jackson and Josephine counties with free, evidence-based parenting education and support. We offer a wide range of workshops, classes, and events designed to strengthen families with children ages 0–18. Whether you're a professional seeking trusted, accessible resources for the families you serve, or a parent looking for tools, community, and support, TFC is here to help. We collaborate with local agencies to ensure every family has access to high-quality, inclusive, and empowering parenting support.

Learn more on their website, connect with them on Facebook, and check out their upcoming events below!

Protective Factors Supported: Parental Resilience, Social Connections, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, Concrete Supports in Times of Need, and Social and Emotional Competence in Children.

The Oregon Parent Education Collaborative (OPEC), is a statewide parenting education network for families, parenting education professionals like the Family Connection, and community partners. You can explore additional resources on their website.

OPEC also shares a blog, with research-based, practical tips about parenting children of all ages! Just this month they shared an article called Supporting Resilience Every Day, along with resources to help you find high quality children's books to support mindfulness and learn more and resiliency! Check out the blog and articles on early childhood, parenting teens, resources for culturally and identity specific needs, and more!

The Oregon Early Learning Management System (ELMS) is launching on October 14!

Oregon ELMS is designed to support child care providers and families across Oregon by bringing licensing and subsidy (ERDC) tools together into one easy-to-use platform that can be used from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone and in your preferred language.

Pre-Registration launched September 8th!

Before Oregon ELMS launches, providers, individuals enrolled in Central Background Registry (CBR), and families receiving ERDC can set up an account early. This is called pre-registration, and it only takes a few minutes.

In early September, providers, those enrolled in CBR, and families receiving ERDC should have received a separate letter in the mailbox and an email from DELC with a personal registration code.

These individuals can use their registration code and last name to set up their account. It is that simple!

If you are both a child care provider and your family receives ERDC benefits, you will get two separate pre-registration messages, one for each account. This is normal. Please make sure to pre-register both.

What Oregon ELMS Means for Child Care Providers?

In one simple system, Oregon ELMS will help you:

• Use one secure account to work with DELC in your preferred language
• Keep your information in one place, including contact details, Payments, and Documents
• Send and track licensing applications
• Bill for subsidy (ERDC) payments and view ERDC notifications
• Track training requirements
• Get clear messages and next steps from DELC

This system will save time, cut paperwork, and help you focus on children and families.

Oregon ELMS Information Page Website: Department of Early Learning and Care : Oregon Early Learning Management System (Oregon ELMS) : Programs : State of Oregon

What You Can Do Now

Providers, individuals enrolled in the CBR, and families receiving ERDC: watch for your pre-registration letter in the mail and by email. It will have the code you need to set up your account.

Be on the lookout for additional updates and next steps, including information about enrolling in direct deposit with the new system!

View this update and more on the Child Care Resource Network Website and Newsletter.

Oregon ELMS makes it easier to stay on top of your child care information once your information is preloaded from the ONE system. With Oregon ELMS, you will be able to:

• Use one secure account to work with DELC in your preferred language
• Check your child care subsidy (ERDC) status and case information
• See your child care placements and provider connections
• Receive messages from DELC

How to get ready for Oregon ELMS:

Family pre-registration is open between September 8 and October 9

Look for a letter in the mail and email from DELC with your personal registration code. It should have been sent in late August, before the pre-registration window opened.

By email: If DELC has your email on file, your code will arrive by email.

The subject line will say: Your Oregon ELMS Registration Code — Action Needed.

The email will include your code and a link to the Oregon ELMS portal, along with step-by-step instructions to pre-register.

By mail: DELC will also mail your code to you.

The letter will include your code and a QR code that links to the Oregon ELMS portal, along with step-by-step instructions to pre-register.

Oregon ELMS Information Page Website: Department of Early Learning and Care : Oregon Early Learning Management System (Oregon ELMS) : Programs : State of Oregon

Support Line and Email information:

Questions? We are here to help:

Phone: 1-800-556-6616

Email: ccld.customerservice@delc.oregon.gov

Our first session launched Friday, September 11th from 10am-12pm. The session was focused on supports for families with children navigating a disability or delay. We had partners from EI/ECSE, Bridging Communities, FACT Oregon, the Autism team through SOESD and the Swindell's Center share about the work they do with children and families. You can view a recording of the session here.

Our next session will be Friday, November 13th from 10am-12pm, and the focus will be behavioral health supports for children 0-5. Our presenters will be: Options, Kairos, Family Nurturing Center, and Jackson County Mental Health.

If you are interested in participating in future sessions, or have suggestions of what content we can share, please email Jordan_Rogers@soesd.k12.or.us!

Protective Factors Supported: Concrete Supports in Times of Need, and Social and Emotional Competence in Children. By attending this series, your team will be building an even stronger base of support for the families you serve.

There are changes coming to Medicaid which will impact many of those people who receive OHP. Currently, the Jefferson Regional Health Alliance (JRHA) is working with regional partners on a communication campaign to inform OHP members in Jackson and Josephine counties about what they can do now.

The main messages will be to encourage OHP members to:

• Make sure their address, phone number, and email are up to date. They can go to one.oregon.gov to confirm that.
• Watch for communications about their OHP benefits.
• Respond to requests for information or renewal from Oregon Health Authority, Jackson Care Connect or AllCare when they receive them.
• Know where to go for help if they have questions or need assistance.

The goal is to give people practical steps they can take now without overwhelming them with information about changes that may still be evolving.

The Jefferson Regional Health Alliance is also working on a regional tool to connect the public with OHP assisters through a map-based resource. The goal is to make it easier for individuals and families to find local assistance that is available in their community. Be on the lookout for more information from JRHA soon!

There are some additional links and resources to help communicate with families in the region below.

ODHS:

• New SNAP/OHP work or activity rules comparison tool. This shows the differences between the work or activity rules for SNAP vs the rules for OHP.

• A new joint OHA/ODHS HR1 website is live for partners to find information and resources about HR1.

• Linked on that page is the OHP toolkit page that has OHP fact sheets, example notices, and video, social cards, and newsletter content for partners to share.

OHA:

• Key webpage: Federal Changes Homepage (direct link: //OHP.Oregon.gov/HR1): Bookmark and check for updated resources
• All published partner materials: OHP Toolkit Homepage: Bookmark and check for updated resources for staff and partners supporting members.
• Videos on the new OHP work or activity rules:

• Introduction to the rules: English / Spanish
• How to meet the rules: English / Spanish

• Fact sheets that explain changes in plain language:

• Overview of Federal Changes: English / Spanish
• Some adult non-citizens moving to Healthier Oregon: English / Spanish
• Healthier Oregon members moving to OHP Open Card: English / Spanish
• Work or Activity Rules: English / Spanish
• More Frequent Renewals: English / Spanish
• NEW OHP / SNAP Crosswalk: English
• NEW Exemptions Explainer: English
• NEW Myths Vs. Facts About Federal Changes to OHP: English

• Sample notices showing what members may receive:

• Work or Activity Rules: English / Spanish
• Noncitizen Transition Notice: English / Spanish
• Open Card Transition Notice: English

• Notice explainer explaining how to understand all three notices: English
• Social Cards and Newsletter Content

• Social: Keep your contact details up to date so you don't miss important information
• Social: Watch your mail and respond quickly to letters from your health plan
• Social: Keep going to the doctor and other medical appointments
• Talking points for member questions: English / Spanish
• HR1 Implementation Timeline: English
• Fact sheet for education partners: English

These resources were shared out by Gabe Dawson at ODHS, who can be contacted here for more information!

We have seen a significant increase in the demand for diapers. Regularly changed diapers are a necessity for the health of children and are also very expensive for families with young children.

We welcome any community support, financial donations, and diaper donations so we can continue to provide this service. No donation is too small.

We are able to take donations of clothing, food, gently used toys and books for families to look through as they access the diaper closet. We can now take donations at 1021 NW Highland Ave, Grants Pass, OR 97526!

Protective Factors Supported: Concrete Supports in Times of Need.