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What We Do

Our mission is to coordinate an early childhood system that is equitable, integrated, accessible, inclusive, anti-racist, and family centered so that all families with young children are supported to ensure their wellbeing and children are thriving in early childhood and beyond.

Early learning hubs are neutral conveners and cross-sector system aligners. We use data analysis and stakeholder input to identify gaps and opportunities. In partnership with other community leaders and members, we invest funding into strategic efforts to increase regional capacity for strategies that are working well and to launch new initiatives that will improve outcomes for families with children 0-5.

The Need

In Jackson and Josephine County:

  • 22% of children experience food insecurity
  • 53% of families with children birth to age 5 are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line for household size
  • 32% of 3rd grade children are reading at grade level
  • 550 children are in foster care
  • Of the 19,075 children birth to age 5 in both counties, 23.5% have access to an early learning opportunity prior to kindergarten

Who does SOELS serve?

Jackson and Josephine Counties have a regional population of 19,075 children birth to age five. The work we do is to ensure that all families, especially those in the following priority populations, who tend to experience marginalization, have timely access to the resources that they need:

  • Experiencing houselessness
  • Spanish home language
  • Foster/resource families
  • Child welfare involvement
  • Child experiences a disability
  • Teen parents
  • Navigating recovery
  • Navigating mental health supports
  • Living in rural community, low access to services
  • Families with limited resources
  • Lacking access to child care prior to kindergarten

Preschool Promise

Preschool Promise is a free preschool program for eligible families. Eligibility and enrollment for Preschool Promise for the 2025-2026 school year will be coordinated by early learning hubs across the state.

Preschool Promise es un programa preescolar gratuito para familias elegibles. Los centros de aprendizaje temprano en todo el estado coordinarán la elegibilidad y la inscripción para Preschool Promise para el año escolar 2025-2026.

Click here for Free Preschool Information / Haga clic aquí para obtener información de preescolar gratuitaFree Preschool Flyer / Folleto Gratuito de Preescolar

Read Play Talk Playgroups

Click here for current schedule and locations in Jackson and Josephine Counties!

Visit our website at Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub or contact Teresa Slater Teresa_slater@soesd.k12.or.us for more information.

Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting

Are you a home visitor in Jackson or Josephine County? Contact Sydney_Wing@soesd.k12.or.us to join our monthly Home Visiting Network meetings!

Growing Together Family Community Center (Grants Pass)

The Growing Together Family Community Center is dedicated to providing ALL families with children 0-5 years of age a place to play, learn and grow together. All families have strengths and need help from time to time. Growing Together is the place for families to connect, make friends, and learn about child development and community resources.

All classes, groups & events for families are free! Click here to visit our website and view our calendar!

Calendars

Preschool: Finding the Right Fit Webinar

Choosing a preschool can be a challenge! You know your child best and we want to help you feel empowered during what can be both an exciting and stressful time for families.

Click here to learn more about Oregon preschool and child care quality resources.

VROOM

VROOM

What is VROOM?
Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bath time, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children’s growing minds.

Download Vroom App at Google Play Store

Stay Informed

To view our most recent newsletter, Click Here

To view our Facebook, Click Here

To learn more about participating in one of our regional collaboratives, or to subscribe to our mailing list, please email Jordan_Rogers@soesd.k12.or.us

Become a Child Care Provider

Get connected to Child Care Resource Network for more information on how to become a child care provider.

Donate

Hover over one of the tiles below to learn more about how to support the child care crisis in Southern Oregon. Click on any tile to go to a donation page

Sponsor the Expansion of Child Care in Rural Communities in Jackson and Josephine counties

Currently, 14 rural communities in Southern Oregon lack child care options.  Help with start-up costs for new family child care  businesses to launch.

 

Donate Today!

Sponsor Child Care Slots in Local Child Care Programs for Families Who Can’t Afford It

Our region is a child care desert; fewer than 33% of children have access to a slot.  Additionally, 53% of Southern Oregon families cannot afford child care. One preschool slot costs up to $14,000 per year. Help a child access child care today.

 

Donate Today!

Sponsor a Teacher’s Education

We have a dire workforce shortage in child care. Help an early learning educator get the high quality education they need to support our youngest children.

 

Donate Today!

Sponsor Specialized Supports in Child Care Classrooms to Support the Needs of Children

50% of early learning teachers in our region state they have 5 or more children who need some individualized supports for dysregulated behaviors that have led to injuries to other children and/or teachers. Help fund social and emotional skills coaching and other supports in early learning classrooms.

Donate Today!

The following Child Care Champions have provided more than $1.4 Million in the last year for the child care needs in Southern Oregon. Will YOU join us?

  • AllCare
  • City of Ashland
  • City of Grants Pass
  • Jefferson Regional Health Alliance
  • Jackson Care Connect
  • Gordon Elwood Foundation
  • Providence Foundation
  • SOREDI
  • Southern Oregon Success
  • Rogue Workforce Partnership

View Child Care Expansion Kick-Off Webinar

News

Five on 5

Skills related to social and emotional development are the skills that best prepare children for kindergarten and learning. Thank you to our many wonderful partners in Jackson and Josephine Counties who work with children and families every day to ensure they have the support they need to thrive.
-René Brandon, Director of Southern Oregon Early Learning Services

KOBI – Five on 5 Video

SOELS Quarterly Newsletters

Governance Council Meetings

Next: TBD, 2026
Tuesday, March 17th
2:30-4:30 pm

Link to the Agenda
Link to the Final Early Learning Hub Ruleset

Past Meetings:

January 20th, 2026
Link to the Agenda
GC 1.20.26 Mtg Video
Early Learning Hubs 2025 Legislative Report

November 18th, 2025
Link to the Agenda
GC 11.18.25 Mtg Video

September 16th, 2025
Link to the Agenda
GC 09.17.25 Mtg Video
Slides

July 15th, 2025
Link to the Agenda
GC 07.15.25 Mtg Video

May 20th, 2025
Link to the Agenda
GC 05.20.25 Mtg Video

March 18, 2025
Link to the Agenda
GC 03.18.25 Mtg Video

January 21, 2025
GC 01.21.25 Agenda
GC 01.21.25 Slide Deck

2024
September 17, 2024
GC 09.17.24 Agenda
GG 9.17.24 Video

May 21, 2024
GC 05.21.24 Agenda
GC 05.21.24 Mtg Recording
GC 05.21.24 Minutes
Family Preservation Overview Slide Show
Rural Expansion Flyer
FS&C Flyer Eng & Span

March 19, 2024
GC 03.19.24 Agenda
GC 03.19.24 Mtg Recording
GC 03.19.24 Minutes

January 16, 2024
GC 01.16.24 Agenda
GC 01.16.24 Minutes
GC 01.16.24 Mtg Recording

2023
November 21, 2023
GC 11.21.23 Agenda
GC 11.21.23 Minutes

September 19, 2023
GC 09.19.23 Agenda
GC 09.19.23 Minutes

July 18, 2023
GC 07.18.23 Agenda
GC 07.18.23 Minutes

May 16, 2023
GC 05.16.23 Agenda
GC 05.16.23 Minutes

March 21, 2023
GC 03.21.23 Agenda
GC 03.21.23 Minutes

January 17,2023
GC 01.17.23 Agenda
GC 01.17.23 Minutes

2022
November 15, 2022
GC 11.15.22 Agenda
GC 11.15.22 Minutes

September 20, 2022
09.20.22 GC Agenda
GC 09.19.22 Minutes Draft
GC 09.19.22 Slides

July 19, 2022
GC 07.19.22 Agenda
GC 07.19.22 Minutes Pending
Family Survey Summary 2022
Preschool Promise Expansion Challenges July 2022
Social Emotional Health AC JCC 7.2022

May 17, 2022
GC 05.17.22 Agenda
GC 05.17.22 Minutes
Regional Assessment Presentation 04.19.22

March 15, 2022
GC 03.15.22 Agenda
GC 03.15.22 Minutes

February 15, 2022
GC 02.15.22 Agenda
GC 02.15.22 Minutes

January 18, 2022
GC 01.18.22 Agenda
GS 01.18.22 Minutes
Family Engagement Improvement Project Presentation
Kaleidoscope Presentation

No December Meeting

2021
November 16,2021
GC 11.16.21 Agenda
GC 11.16.21 Minutes

October 19, 2021
GC 10.19.21 Agenda
GC 11.19.21 Minutes
HUB Investment Priorities 2021-23
SOELS Budget by Fund for 2021-2023

September 21, 2021
GC 09.21.21 Agenda
GC 09.21.21 Minutes

July 20, 2021
GC 07.20.21 Agenda
GC 07.20.21 Minutes
ELD Legislative Recap Final 6.29.21

June 15, 2021
GC 06.15.21 Agenda
GC 06.15.21 Minutes
19-21 Biennium in Review
Bill Summary 06.04.21

May 18, 2021
GC 05.18.21 Agenda
GC 05.18.21 Minutes
Bill Summary 05.07.21
HB 3073 FAQ

No April Meeting

March 16, 2021
GC 03.16.21 Agenda
GC 03.16.21 Minutes
SOELS Budget Projection for 2021-2023
March 1 EL Hub 21-23 SOW Draft
Bill Summary 03.19.21

February 16, 2021
GC 02.16.21 Agenda
GC 02.16.21 Minutes

January 19, 2021
GC 01.19.21 Minutes

No December Meeting

2020
November 17, 2020
GC 11.17.20 Minutes

October 20, 2020
GC 10.20.20 Minutes

No September Meeting
No August Meeting

July 21, 2020
GC 07.21.20 Agenda
SOELS Conflict of Interest Policy Statement Definitions
GC 07.21.20 Minutes
GC PowerPoint July 2020

June 16, 2020
GC 06.16.20 Agenda
GC 06.16.20 Minutes

May 21, 2020 Retreat
GC 05.21.20 Agenda

April 21, 2020
GC 04.21.20 Agenda
GC 04.21.20 Minutes

March 17, 2020
GC 03.17.20 Agenda
GC 03.17.20 Minutes

February 18, 2020
GC 02.18.20 Agenda
GC 02.18.20 Minutes

January 21, 2020
GC 01.21.20 Agenda
GC 01.21.20 Minutes

No December Meeting

2019
November 19, 2019
GC 11.19.19 Agenda
GC 11.19.19 Minutes
Early Learning Workforce Survey Results

October 15, 2019
GC 10.15.19 Agenda
GC 10.15.19 Minutes

September 17, 2019
GC 09.17.19 Agenda
GC 09.17.19 Minutes

No August Meeting

July 16, 2019
GC 07.16.19 Agenda
GC 07.16.19 Minutes

May 21, 2019
GC 5.21.19 Agenda
GC 5.21.19 Minutes

March 19, 2019
SOELS Retreat Agenda 3.19.19

Documents Shared:
Hub Flowchart Final Draft
Guidance memo to Hubs
OR Public Official Guide
Public Meeting Law Quick Reference Guide
Public Officials & Meeting Law Memo
Dilemmas for GC Members

January 15, 2019
GC 1.15.19 Agenda
GC 1.15.19 Minutes

2018 Meeting Minutes
Backup for each meeting available upon request
GC 11.20.18 Minutes
GC 09.18.18 Minutes
Previously known as Steering Committee
SC 07.17.18 Minutes
SC 05.15.18 Minutes
SC 03.20.18 Minutes
SC 01.16.18 Minutes

2017 Meeting Minutes
Backup for each meeting available upon request
SC 11.21.17 Minutes
SC 09.19.17 Minutes
SC 05.16.17 Minutes
SC 03.21.17 Minutes
SC 01.17.17 Minutes

Agency Advisory Council Meetings

Next Meeting: March 13th, 2026
10:00-12:00 pm
Agenda for 2025

Past Meetings:

October 10, 2025
AAC 10.10.25 Agenda
AAC 10.10.25 Recording
211 JoCo Community Needs
211 JxCo Community Needs

June 13, 2025
AAC 06.13.25 Agenda
AAC 06.13.25 Recording

April 11, 2025
AAC 04.11.25 Agenda
AAC 04.11.25 Recording

February 14, 2025
AAC 02.14.25 Agenda
AAC 02.14.25 Slide Deck
AAC 02.14.25 Resources Shared

2024
September 13, 2024
AAC 09.13.24 Recording
AAC 09.13.24 Recording Transcript

January 12, 2024
AAC 01.12.24 Recording
AAC 01.12.24 Recording Transcript

2023
July 12, 2023
AAC 07.14.23 Recording
AAC 07.14.23 Recording Transcript

May 12, 2023
AAC 05.12.23 Agenda
AAC 05.12.23 Recording
AAC 05.12.23 Recording Transcript

March 10, 2023
AAC 03.10.23 Agenda
AAC 03.10.23 Recording
AAC 03.10.23 Recording transcript

January 13, 2023
AAC 01.13.23 Agenda
AAC 01.13.24 Recording
AAC 01.13.23 Recording Transcript

2022
September 9, 2022
AAC 09.09.22 Agenda
AAC 09.09.22 Minutes
AAC 09.09.22 2022 So OR Tri4 Youth
AAC 09.09.22 Tri4 Youth Flier Combo

July 8, 2022
07.08.22 AAC Agenda
AAC 07.08.22 Minutes

April 8, 2022
AAC 04.08.22 Agenda
AAC 04.08.22 Minutes

January 14, 2022
AAC 01.14.22 Agenda
AAC 01.14.22 Minutes
Starting Strong Presentation
FEIP Family Engagement Improvement Project

2021
No December Meeting

November 11, 2021
AAC 11.12.21 Agenda

October 10, 2021
AAC 10.10.21 Agenda
AAC 10.10.21 Minutes

September 10, 2021
AAC 09.10.21 Agenda
AAC 09.10.21 Minutes

No July or August Meetings

June 11, 2021
AAC 06.11.21 Agenda
AAC 06.11.21 Minutes

May 14, 2021
AAC 05.14.21 Agenda
AAC 05.14.21 Minutes
Resource Presentation

April 9, 2021
AAC 04.09.21 Agenda
AAC 04.09.21 Minutes

No March Meeting

February 12, 2021
AAC Jan 2021 Agenda
AAC 02.12.21 Minutes

January 8, 2021
AAC 01.08.21 Agenda
AAC 01.08.21 Minutes

2020
November 13, 2020
AAC Nov 2020 Agenda
AAC Nov 2020 Minutes

October, 2020
AAC Oct 2020 Agenda
AAC 10.09.20 Minutes

No August Meeting
July 10, 2020 (Cancelled)

June 12, 2020
AAC 06.12.20 Agenda
AAC 06.12.20.Minutes

May 8, 2020
AAC 05.08.20 Agenda
AAC 5.10.20 Minutes
AAC 05.08.20 Minutes Links
AAC 05.08 PowerPoint

April 10, 2020
(Cancelled)
March 13, 2020
(Cancelled)

February 14, 2020
AAC 02.14.20 Agenda
AAC 02.14.20 Minutes

January 10, 2020
(Cancelled)

2019
No December Meeting
November 8, 2019
(See Stewardship Committee Meeting)

October 11, 2019
AAC 10.11.19 Agenda
AAC 10.11.19 Minutes

September 13, 2019
AAC 9.13.19 Agenda
AAC 9.13.19 Minutes

August 9, 2019
AAC 8.9.19 Agenda
AAC 8.9.19 Minutes

No July Meeting

June 14, 2019
AAC 6.14.19 Agenda
AAC 6.14.19 Minutes

May 10, 2019
AAC 5.10.19 Agenda
AAC 5.10.19 Minutes

April 12, 2019
AAC 4.12.19 Agenda
AAC 4.12.19 Minutes

March 8, 2019
AAC 3.8.19 Agenda
AAC 3.8.19 Minutes

February 8, 2019
AAC 2.8.19 Agenda
AAC 2.8.19 Minutes

January 11, 2019
AAC 1.11.19 Agenda
AAC 1.11.19 Minutes

2018 Meeting Minutes

2017 Meeting Minutes

2016 Meeting Minutes

Educational Equity Committee Meetings

Next: Committee is not currently meeting.
Click here for link to Minutes beginning 02.06.23

Past Meetings:

2024
March, 2024
Equity 03.03.24 Meeting Recording
Equity 03.03.24 Meeting Transcript

February, 2024
Equity 02.02.24 Meeting Recording
Equity 02.02.24 Meeting Transcript

2023
February 6, 2023
Equity 02.06.23 Agenda

2022
December 5th, 2022
Equity 12.05.22 Minutes

October 3, 2022
Equity 10.03.22 Agenda
Equity 10.03.22 Minutes

June 23, 2022
Equity 06.23.22 Agenda
Equity 06.23.22 Minutes
Family Survey – Summer 2022

May 26, 2022
Equity 05.26.22 Agenda

April 28, 2022
Group attended The Mary Pauper Papers: Racial Equity & the ECE Workforce virtual webinar.

February 24, 2022
Equity 02.24.22 Agenda
Equity 02.24.22 Minutes

No Jan Meeting

2021
No Oct, Nov, or Dec Meetings

September 23, 2021
Equity 09.23.21 Agenda

No August Meeting

July 22, 2021
Equity 07.22.21 Agenda
Equity 07.22.21 Minutes
Belonging through a Culture of Dignity Ch 7 July 2021

June 24, 2021
Equity 06.24.21 Agenda
Equity 06.24.21 Minutes
Beyond Dignity Power Point Chapters 4 & 5
Equity May – June 2021

May 27, 2021
Equity 05.27.21 Agenda
Equity 05.27.21 Minutes
Draft of Shared Vision Statement for SOELS Educational Equity Committee
HCDC Racism Brief
Equity May – June 2021

April 22, 2021
Equity 04.22.21 Agenda
Equity 04.22.21 Minutes
Draft Equity Statement

No March Meeting

Feb. 25, 2021
Equity 02.25.21 Agenda
Equity 02.25.21 Minutes
Equity 02.25.21 Shared Vision

January 28, 2021
Equity 01.28.21 Agenda
Equity 01.28.21 Minutes

2020
October 22, 2020
Equity 10.22.20 Minutes

No August Meeting
July 23, 2020
June, 2020
May 28, 2020
April 23, 2020

ECE Workforce Committee Meetings

Next Meeting: March 2, 2026
10:30-12:00 pm
Click here for Meeting Agenda and Minutes beginning January 2023 – Current

Past Meetings:

Feb. 2026
WRK 02.06.26 Meeting Recording
WRK Agendas 2026-2027

October. 2025
WRK 10.02.25 Meeting Recording

May. 2024
WRK 05.05.24 Meeting Recording
WRK 05.05.24 Recording Transcript

March. 2024
WRK 03.03.24 Meeting Audio Recording

January. 2024
WRK 01.01.24 Meeting Recording
WRK 01.01.24 Meeting Transcript
Community Wide Pyramid Model Flyer

September. 9, 2023
WRK 09.09.23 Meeting Recording
Finding The Right Fit Flyer
ECE Youth Flier 2023
WRK 09.09.23 Recording Transcript

July. 7, 2023
Rogue Valley Early Childcare Flyer

May. 4, 2023
WRK 4.4.23 Meeting Agenda

Mar. 2, 2023
WRK 03.02.25 Recording Transcript
WRK 03.02.25 Recording

Jan. 5, 2023
WRK 01.05.23 Agenda

Nov. 3, 2022
WRK 11.03.22 Agenda
WRK 11.03.22 Minutes
WRK 11.03.22 Work Plan

September 9, 2022
WRK 09.01.22 Agenda

July 7, 2022
WRK 07.07.22 Minutes
WRK 07.22 Ecosystem Condition Handout
WRK Raise Up Oregon ES Web Version 19.01.14
WRK Regional System Assessment Overview
WRK 07.06.22 Regional System Assessment Overview
WRK 07.07.22 RA Session 1

May 5, 2022
WRK 05.05.22 Agenda
WRK 05.05.22 Minutes

March 3, 2022
WRK 03.03.22 Agenda
WRK 03.03.22 Minutes

January 6, 2022
WRK 01.06.22 Agenda
WRK 01.06.22 Minutes
WRK 12.2021 Strategic Planning Notes

December 2, 2021
WRK 12.02.21 Agenda
WRK 12.02.21 Minutes

No November Meeting

October 7, 2021
WRK 10.07.21 Agenda
WRK 10.07.21 Minutes
Arkansas IECMHC for Oregon 3.5.21
Healthcare Flyer English
Healthcare Flyer Spanish
Registration is now open for webPD

September 2, 2021
WRK 09.02.21 Agenda
WRK 09.02.21 Minutes

No August Meeting

July 1, 2021
WRK 07.01.21 Agenda
WRK 07.01.21 Minutes
Child Care Needs Survey Results

June 3, 2021
WRK 06.03.21 Agenda
WRK 06.03.21 Minutes

May 6, 2021
WRK 05.06.21 Agenda
WRK 05.06.21 Minutes
Early Learning Educator Survey Results
ECE Incentive Mini Grant Summary
RCC Info Session Flyer
SOU Bridge Scholarships flyer

April 1, 2021
WRK  04.01.21 Agenda
WRK 04.01.21 Minutes

March 4, 2021
WRK 03.04.21 Agenda
WRK 03.04.21 Minutes
Caregivers-Participant-Flyer
Caregivers Recruitment Map

February 4, 2021
WRK 02.04.21 Minutes

January 7, 2021
WRK 01.07.21 Minutes

December 3, 2020
WRK 12.03.20 Minutes

November 5, 2020
October 1, 2020
September 3, 2020
No August Meeting
July 2, 2020
June 4, 2020
May 5, 2020
March 4, 2020
February 6, 2020
January 2, 2020

CONTACT

SOELS@soesd.k12.or.us

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