A Childcare Task Force

A Childcare Task Force representing a wide variety of regional interests on the issue of lack of childcare supply has been meeting since early 2018 to identify creative and diverse ways to address the lack of quality childcare in our community.

A Child Care Task Force representing a wide variety of regional interests on the issue of lack of child care supply has been meeting since early 2018 to identify creative and diverse ways to address the lack of quality child care in our community. The group includes representatives from the Bend Chamber of Commerce, providers, employers, non-profits, business developers, childcare providers, bankers, the Governor’s Regional Solutions office, early childhood organizations, health care providers, academia, city staff and other community members. The group has significantly raised awareness of the child care shortage, collaborating and advocating for the cause.

This work has resulted in the City of Bend reducing System Development Charges for new and expanding child care centers. Concurrently, Child Care Resources procured Governor Brown’s “Baby Promise” funding, which provides for an increase in childcare slots for infants and toddlers in central Oregon, setting the table for potential public/private childcare projects. The successful Baby Promise application outlined successes of many robust partnerships in Central Oregon, including the reduction of System Development Charges credited to the Child Care Task Force efforts.

The Child Care Task Force formed a committee to focus on increasing quality child care facilities/expansion, with the intent to increase the actual number of 0-5 child care openings in the region.