Last week, the Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division notified the Lincoln County School District that they will be awarded a total of $222,750 in the initial round of funding of Preschool Promise grants which were part of the Student Investment Account application process. These funds will allow the District to offer 18 slots in their early childhood learning programs to families who are within 200% of the Federal Poverty level for this upcoming school year. This is less than the original grant request, but it will go far to help several families in need of support and quality education for their children.
Lauren Sigman, Early Learning Coordinator, helped to prepare the grant request and oversees the Early Learning Programs for the school district, “We were hoping to receive all 48 slots we applied for, as we know there is a major shortage of preschool and child care in our County, and a need to provide these services free or at minimal cost to working families. We are excited to be able to receive the 18 slots this year and next year so that we can begin serving families and children who will benefit from having access to free preschool in our programs.”
Lincoln County School District applied for the Oregon Department of Education’s Preschool Promise grant which provides funding to child care providers so the providers are able to offer free Preschool slots to families who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty line. Initially, the District applied for 48 slots which would have allowed the District to offer 12 spots at each of our four district-run Preschool programs (Lincoln City, Newport, Toledo, and Waldport).
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect, it will have on the state’s revenue stream the Oregon Early Learning Division delayed the award of the grants from June 4th to July 2nd and will release them in tiers of funding over the next two years. LCSD was awarded $222,750 to provide 18 full-time preschool slots for the 20-21 school year and was selected as a priority for funding an additional 18 slots next school year. (Tier 2 funds will depend on the state’s revenue forecast and if there is funding available.)
With the 18 slots awarded LCSD will be able to serve 4-5 children in each of its four sites and plans to work closely with the Early Childhood Special Education program to provide a fully inclusive high-quality preschool program.
The funding will be used to pay for staff, supplies, curriculum, and other program operating costs which are usually funded using the income from tuition charged to families. Having this funding will allow us to continue to operate a high-quality early learning program without having to charge families who qualify for free tuition.
The slots will be awarded through a coordinated enrollment process led by the Linn Benton Lincoln Early Learning Hub. This process is still being developed and will be communicated on the LCSD website as it becomes available. Families who are interested in applying or have questions should contact Lauren Sigman, Early Learning Coordinator by calling 541-270-2456 or emailing lauren.sigman@lincoln.k12.or.us. The Early Learning section of the District website can be found here: https://lincoln.k12.or.us/academics/early-learning/
The Oregon Early Learning Division is currently working on updating its child care guidelines to help to ensure the health and safety of children and staff in early learning settings. These new guidelines will be released in mid-August and will be followed to structure the LCSD program for the upcoming school year.
Notice of Intent to Award Report
La semana pasada, la División de Aprendizaje Temprano del Departamento de Educación de Oregón notificó al Distrito Escolar del Condado de Lincoln que recibirán un total de $ 222,750 en la ronda inicial de financiación de las subvenciones de Promesa Preescolar que formaron parte del proceso de solicitud de la Cuenta de Inversión Estudiantil. Estos fondos permitirán al Distrito ofrecer 18 espacios en sus programas de aprendizaje para la primera infancia a familias que están dentro del 200% del nivel de pobreza federal para este próximo año escolar. Esto es menos que la solicitud de subvención original, pero será muy útil para ayudar a varias familias que necesitan apoyo y educación de calidad para sus hijos.
Lauren Sigman, Coordinadora de Aprendizaje Temprano, ayudó a preparar la solicitud de subvención y supervisó los Programas de Aprendizaje Temprano para el distrito escolar. “Esperamos recibir los 48 espacios que solicitamos, ya que sabemos que hay una gran escasez de preescolar y cuidado infantil en nuestro Condado, y la necesidad de proporcionar estos servicios de forma gratuita o con un costo mínimo para las familias trabajadoras. Estamos entusiasmados de poder recibir las 18 plazas este año y el próximo año para que podamos comenzar a servir a las familias y los niños que se beneficiarán de tener acceso a preescolar gratuito en nuestros programas “.
El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Lincoln solicitó la subvención de Promesa Preescolar del Departamento de Educación de Oregón que proporciona fondos a los proveedores de cuidado infantil para que los proveedores puedan ofrecer cupos preescolares gratuitos a las familias que están en o por debajo del 200% de la línea de pobreza federal. Inicialmente, el Distrito solicitó 48 cupos que le hubieran permitido ofrecer 12 lugares en cada uno de nuestros cuatro programas preescolares administrados por el distrito (Lincoln City, Newport, Toledo y Waldport).
Con los 18 espacios otorgados, LCSD podrá atender a 4-5 niños en cada uno de sus cuatro sitios y planea trabajar en estrecha colaboración con el programa de Educación Especial para la Primera Infancia para proporcionar un programa preescolar de alta calidad totalmente inclusivo.