July 2023 Newsletter

News and Updates from the Multnomah County Preschool & Early Learning Division

A Note From Our Director

This summer we’re celebrating our first group of Preschool for All graduates in Multnomah County! It's been a year of incredible growth and learning, and we’re just getting started. I’m excited to share some important updates with you as we look toward our second year. 

In this newsletter, we’ll touch on implementation and our progress toward goals, as well as highlighting a variety of ways you can be involved — from spreading the word about our 2024-25 Pilot Site application to joining us in this work as a new member of our Advisory Committee or as part of our staff in one of our open roles! And, perhaps saving the best for last, we’ll give you a look at one of the many graduation ceremonies taking place at Preschool for All sites this spring and summer.

Thank you, as always, for your passion and support for bringing early education to young children in our community!

Sincerely, 

Leslee Barnes

Preschool & Early Learning Division Director



2023-24 Family Application

In May, we invited families to apply for PFA slots for the coming preschool year, and we received 1,800 applications! Our application process uses a matching algorithm that allows us to attend to family choice while also prioritizing placements for children with the least access to preschool. We will have over 1,400 PFA slots in the community next fall!

Families who applied were notified of their placement offers or waitlist status in June. We’re updating the waitlist regularly and making new placements whenever seats become available. 

On Monday, July 31, we will reopen the PFA application for families who did not apply earlier this spring. Most new applicants will be placed on waitlists for their preferred Preschool for All programs, however there are a limited number of seats currently available at some locations for the 2023-24 school year. More details can be found on the application website starting July 31.

Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

In June, our proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 was approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Our budget includes the following priorities:

• Maintaining a clear focus on racial equity
• Balancing current and long-term needs of the initiative
• Strengthening Preschool for All Pilot Sites and recruiting new providers
• Enhancing and refining foundational PFA structures and processes
• Creating new opportunities for community input

County investments in PFA not only enable us to place children in classrooms this fall, but also continue to pave the way for a more robust and thriving early childhood landscape in Multnomah County, where ample preschool facilities are available and providers are supported in their professional growth and compensated in a way that reflects the importance of their work.

You can watch our budget presentation to the Board (our portion starts at the 1 hour and 40 minute mark) or learn more about our budget and long-term fiscal strategies in our Budget Overview, published this spring. 

Pilot Site Providers

For the 2023-24 preschool year, we have contracted for over 1,400 PFA slots at 82 total sites around the County. Over 70% of our home-based and small center owners and directors identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Twenty percent of our returning Year 1 providers are expanding into a new space. 

We can’t grow this program without our preschool partners, and it’s time to add more providers to our team! The Pilot Site application for the 24-25 school year will be open July 28 - September 29, 2023. If you're interested in becoming a Pilot Site provider with contracted Preschool for All slots, you can learn more and apply here.

We’d also love for you to spread the word to preschool programs in your community and encourage them to join Preschool for All!



The PFA Advisory Committee meets quarterly to provide high-level feedback on Preschool for All implementation, and applications for new members will be open July 31 - August 31. The Multnomah County Chair will appoint and the Board of County Commissioners will approve up to five new members for two-year terms that start in October 2023. 

Group members include parents, preschool providers, early educators, school district staff, and representatives from various organizations supporting families and early childhood development. The group meets quarterly on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm.  

If you're interested in contributing your insights and expertise, we encourage you to apply for a position on the committee!



• Our family application reopens for waitlist and open slots: July 31, 2023 
• 2024-25 Pilot Site application open: July 28 - September 29, 2023
• Advisory Committee application open: July 31 - August 31, 2023 
• Community Partner Meeting: August 1, 12-1pm - Register Here  

It’s a busy time at the Multnomah County Preschool & Early Learning Division and there are so many ways to get involved!

We've created a social media toolkit to help you spread the word about three applications that will be open this month: Pilot Sites, Advisory Committee, and the reopening of the PFA family application.

In the toolkit, you'll find graphics like the ones below in several languages, plus suggested captions and hashtags to help your post be seen.

Early Learning Communications Specialist with Multnomah County’s Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL)

Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator with Multnomah County’s Preschool & Early Learning Division (PEL)

Research Assistant with our research partners at Boston University’s Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED)



Shaquoya Richmond, owner and operator of Richmond Learning Academy in SE Portland, held an Elevation Celebration in June — a beautiful event honoring her students and their families as they move into the next phase of their journey. 

The children received backpacks and diplomas, sang some of their favorite songs from the year, and shared some of their most spirited affirmations! Parents talked about the value they’ve gleaned from the program, noting kindergarten readiness and development of social-emotional skills, but also the warmth and welcome they felt. 

“I’m so thankful for this program and how they’ve come through for us. On a personal level, it’s just made it easier on us as a family. Not only do I see Shaquoya do this for me, but I see her do it for the other kids... just loving our kids so much! My son is always happy to come to school to see his friends, to learn, to see his teachers... and as a parent, that just makes me feel so good.”

- Richmond Learning Academy Parent

We hope you enjoy this glimpse of the festivities!

Feedback or ideas for our upcoming newsletter issues?

We'd love to hear from you!



Preschool For All

Contact us at preschoolforall@multco.us