EUGENE, Ore. — A new initiative to boost child care availability in Lane County is underway, led by Quality Care Connections (QCC), the Lane Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Onward Eugene. This partnership aims to create additional child care slots to address the area’s pressing need, as announced by the Eugene Chamber of Commerce and Onward Eugene.
Lane County, like many parts of Oregon, faces a shortage of child care services. Defined as a “child care desert,” the county has more than three children for every available regulated child care slot. To address this, approximately 1,500 new child care slots are needed.
The Early Child Care Business Accelerator is a four-month program designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to start a registered or certified home-based child care business. Quality Care Connections offers training in safety, quality improvement, and licensing support to help providers become licensed by the Department of Early Learning and Care. Licensed Registered Family providers can care for up to 10 children, while Certified Family Providers can accommodate up to 16 children. The SBDC provides essential business training and support to help early educators succeed as small business owners.
Participants in the Accelerator program receive guidance from an SBDC business advisor and, upon becoming licensed, receive $5,000 to launch their business. They also benefit from continued support from both QCC and the SBDC. “While the decisions are ultimately theirs, we provide guidance to help them make informed business choices,” said Jason Petorak, an instructor at the Lane Small Business Development Center.
To date, the program has completed two cohorts, resulting in 27 graduates, the establishment of 14 new child care programs, and a projected 175 additional child care slots in Lane County.
Looking ahead, two new cohorts will begin this fall—one targeting rural communities in Cottage Grove and Florence, and another for Spanish-speaking participants. Applications for both cohorts are currently open, according to Cheryl Henderson, Director of Child and Family Education at Lane Community College.
Holly Mar-Conte, Child Care Sector Strategist at Onward Eugene, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s impact: “We are excited to continue expanding child care options and supporting new businesses, which also contribute to local job creation.”
The program is funded by Lane Community College and several philanthropic organizations, including the Chambers Family Foundation, JTMF Foundation, and Roundhouse Foundation. Onward Eugene received a Strategic Innovation Grant from the Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board to support the Accelerator program.
Additionally, the City of Eugene and City of Springfield are providing $5,000 startup grants to eligible graduates through their small business micro-enterprise grant programs. These grants are funded by federal Community Development Block Grant monies, aimed at enhancing local communities and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.
Springfield City Councilor Kori Rodley commented, “This program offers a crucial opportunity to build new child care businesses, which are desperately needed.”
Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis highlighted the broader benefits: “Access to child care is vital for economic stability. By supporting new in-home child care businesses, we’re addressing a critical need for working families while fostering local economic growth. This program is a significant asset for our community.”