For us here at For All Families Oregon, our message has been consistent: the best way to create a thriving economy and a flourishing community is by funding the programs that support working families. One such program is the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program housed in the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).
Hear from mom and care advocate, Natalie Kiyah, talk about her precarious participation in the ERDC program in this video from our friends at the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP) below. A single parent, Natalie shares what it was like to lose Employment Related Day Care (ERDC), how hard she fought to rebuild, and why she is pleading with lawmakers to protect this lifeline before it disappears.
The issue at hand: If Oregon lawmakers do nothing, ERDC will run out of money in January 2027. Thousands of families like Natalie’s could lose the child care that makes work — and stability — possible. Roughly 12,0001 working Oregon families rely on ERDC at the moment, and losing the program would be devastating for our state economy. Our Political Director, Marchel Kaleikini, shares additional information about the program and talks about the choice our lawmakers face.