Oregon Department of Early Learning & Care

Childcare Assistance · Oregon · Free

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care is the state agency that oversees child care provider licensing, quality rating systems, early learning hubs, and subsidy programs across Oregon. Call 503-947-1400 during weekday business hours or visit oregon.gov/delc for information on finding licensed care, understanding subsidy eligibility, and accessing early learning resources. The agency does not provide direct child care but can connect families with the appropriate local programs and services.

Contact & Details

Address: 700 Summer St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Phone: 503-947-1400

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

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About Childcare Assistance for Fathers

Childcare assistance for US fathers includes the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy, Head Start and Early Head Start, state pre-K programs, and sliding-scale nonprofit childcare. CCDF subsidies are administered by each state's lead agency (usually the Department of Human Services or a dedicated office) and help families pay for childcare while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. Eligibility is typically up to 85% of state median income. Head Start serves children 3–5 from families below the Federal Poverty Level; Early Head Start covers birth to 3. State pre-K is free or low-cost in most states and offered through public schools and partner providers. Many community action agencies run sliding-scale childcare for working parents. For single dads, CCDF subsidies and Head Start are the two most consistent free options. This directory includes each state's CCDF office, local Head Start programs, and resource and referral agencies.

Childcare Assistance in Oregon

Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid organization statewide.

More Childcare Assistance in Oregon

  • Oregon Child Care Assistance – ERDC — Oregon's Employment Related Day Care program provides subsidized child care payments directly to approved providers for eligible working fam
  • Child Care Resource & Referral Network of Oregon — Child Care Resource and Referral Network of Oregon operates a parent helpline and online search tools to help families across the state find
  • Oregon Head Start — Oregon Head Start programs provide free early childhood education, health screenings, nutrition, and family support services for income-elig
  • Multnomah County Preschool For All — Multnomah County Preschool For All provides free, high-quality preschool for all children ages 3 and 4 living in Multnomah County, regardles
  • Neighborhood House – Child Care — Neighborhood House in southwest Portland provides quality licensed child care and early learning programs for children from infancy through
  • ChildCare Aware of Oregon — ChildCare Aware of Oregon operates a free statewide parent helpline and online resources to help families find licensed quality child care a

Childcare Assistance — Common Questions

What is a childcare subsidy?
A state-administered program (funded by federal CCDF) that pays a portion of childcare costs for working, training, or school-attending low-income parents. Apply through your state's lead agency. Eligibility typically up to 85% of state median income. Benefits go directly to the provider.
What's the difference between Head Start and pre-K?
Head Start is a federal program for children 3–5 from low-income families (below the Federal Poverty Level) with comprehensive services (health, nutrition, parent involvement). State pre-K is state-funded preschool, usually through public schools, with broader eligibility.
Can fathers apply for childcare assistance alone?
Yes. Childcare assistance is gender-neutral. Single fathers with custody qualify on the same terms as any other parent. If you share custody, you can still apply — you'll need the subsidy for the time the child is with you.
Where do I find quality care I can trust?
Every state has a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R) that maintains a free database of licensed providers, quality ratings, and availability. Call your local CCR&R (find at childcareaware.org) for personalized referrals.