SALEM, Ore. – Oregon will be receiving nearly $38.6 million to help support families’ child care needs and child care providers through the pandemic, senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Thursday.
The money will be in the form of Child Care and Development Block Grant funding. It is authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that Congress approved last month.
Oregon will be able to increase income limits for applicants from 185% of the Federal Poverty Level to 85% of state median income or 250% of the federal poverty level, whichever is higher. Lawmakers said this will allow the grants to go to a larger share of essential workers who rely on child care.
A temporary emergency rule has waived copayments for families that participate in the program.
Participating child care providers closed due to the pandemic will continue to remain eligible for ongoing payments, and providers that are open will be paid for an increased number of absent days for children who are enrolled but not attending because of the emergency.
English 
Spanish