"Kayse Jama truly knows the reforms our child care system needs to be culturally inclusive and welcoming to every family." - Oregon Childcare Project
Addressing Childcare Deserts in Oregon
Sixty percent of Oregonians live in a childcare desert. For those areas who do have childcare options, there are 8 kids for every available slot. Home-based childcare is critical to Oregon’s childcare landscape. These small businesses more often provide evening, weekend, and overnight care, infant-toddler care, care in rural and remote communities, and linguistically diverse and culturally specific care. That's why Senator Jama and his colleagues passed Senate Bill 599, which makes it easier for renters to open small childcare businesses in their units.
This bill provides rental protections for home-based providers who rent and operate childcare businesses out of their homes, and provides protections and assurance for landlords. Childcare businesses are required by the Early Learning Division to keep their homes clean, organized, and in good repair. While this is only one tool to address the childcare crisis, it is an important one. An increase in childcare availability means economic stability for both these small business and for the families they serve.
Recent Legislative Wins
Senator Jama proudly supported the Early Childhood Budget Package this biennium, which included:
- $75 million to invest in the Oregon Kids Credit, a refundable tax credit for low-income Oregonians of up to $1000 per child aged 0 to 5
- $50 million for the Child Care Infrastructure Fund to build, renovate, and expand childcare and preschool facilities and $5 million for technical assistance
- $15 million to ensure families have access to affordable childcare and $8 million to manage caseload capacity
- $18.6 million to meet the increase in caseload and ensure Oregon’s kids are getting the timely resources and attention
- $300,000 to study barriers to a high-quality early childhood workforce