Family Connections at Linn-Benton Community College

08/26/2026

Free Child Care Business Trainings Available!

First Children’s Finance is offering professional development for child care owners and administrators focused on strengthening business practices, financial skills, and program sustainability.

Trainings are Set 1 Program Management and available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

To register, log into your MyORO account and visit the ORO Training Calendar.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

More trainings will be available from October 2026 through June 2027.

08/10/2026

Today is the final day to apply for our Preschool Promise Instructional Coach position with Family Connections!

Join a collaborative team supporting early childhood educators and Preschool Promise programs, with a primary focus on Lincoln County. If you are passionate about coaching, strengthening early learning environments, and helping educators succeed, we would love to hear from you.

Applications close TODAY — August 10!

Please share with someone who would be a great addition to our Family Connections team.

08/09/2026

Share Your Feedback with DELC!

The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is inviting providers, grantees, Tribal organizations, and community partners to complete its 2026 Customer Service Survey.

Your feedback will help DELC improve customer service and better support Oregon's early learning community. The survey is anonymous, takes about 10 minutes, and your responses will help guide future improvements.

08/06/2026

Starting child care is a big milestone for both children and families. A little preparation can help make the transition smoother!

Here are a few simple tips:
• Talk with your child's caregiver about routines.
• Keep drop-off routines calm, consistent, and reassuring.
• Send a favorite comfort item, like a blanket or stuffed animal.
• Spend time reconnecting after pick-up and ask about your child's day.

Remember, it's normal for children to need time to adjust. With patience, consistency, and partnership between families and caregivers, children can build confidence and thrive.

08/05/2026

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality: Is It Safe to Play Outside?

Wildfire smoke can change quickly. Before taking children outdoors, check the Air Quality Index (AQI) and look outside to assess visibility. If conditions don't match, always use the more cautious measure.

As air quality worsens:
🏠 Move activities indoors.
⏸ Reduce or postpone outdoor play.
👀 Watch for coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or other symptoms.

Young children are especially sensitive to wildfire smoke, so having an indoor plan is essential during fire season.

08/05/2026

Wildfire season can change quickly, and every child care program should have an emergency plan in place before an evacuation is needed. The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) provides emergency planning resources, templates, and guidance to help providers prepare.

Now is the time to prepare:
✔ Review and practice your emergency plan with staff.
✔ Keep emergency contact information current.
✔ Maintain an emergency "go kit" with essential supplies.
✔ Stay informed by signing up for local emergency alerts and knowing your county's evacuation procedures.

Emergencies can happen at a moment’s notice. Families, caregivers and child care professionals play an important role in emergency preparedness and response. Explore this Emergency Preparedness page for links to resources to guide your planning process.

08/04/2026

📢 Free Virtual TPOT Reliability Training 📢

Are you ready to strengthen your Pyramid Model implementation and become a reliable observer of preschool classroom practices?

Join the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) Reliability Training, an intensive virtual workshop designed for early childhood professionals with prerequisite knowledge of the Pyramid Model. Participants will learn to assess preschool teacher implementation of Pyramid Model practices and, upon successfully meeting reliability standards, will receive a TPOT Reliability Certificate.

🗓 Dates: September 29, 30 & October 1
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
💻 Location: Virtual
💲 Cost: FREE

⚠️ Space is limited, so don't wait to register!

This is an excellent opportunity for coaches, trainers, and early childhood professionals looking to deepen their understanding of Pyramid Model implementation and strengthen their observation and coaching skills.

🔗 Register today using the link in comments!

07/29/2026

07/24/2026

This fall, the Oregon Center for Career Development is holding additional Listening Sessions on the Oregon Registry Steps redesign.
Since the 2024-2025 listening sessions, a group of providers and partners reviewed all your feedback and used it to build a new and improved draft. Now we're asking for your voice again to help us get this right.
Take a minute to fill out a quick survey and help us find the best times and ways to connect with you this fall. Learn more at https://www.oregon.gov/delc/providers/Pages/ECE-support.aspx :~:text=October%20Revision%20Feedback%20Sessions

07/23/2026

Now Hiring: Preschool Promise Instructional Coach

We are seeking a passionate and relationship-centered Preschool Promise Instructional Coach to support early childhood educators and programs across Lincoln County.

This role works directly alongside preschool teachers, family child care providers, instructional leaders, and early learning programs to strengthen high-quality early childhood practices through reflective coaching, classroom support, training, and collaborative goal setting. The coach helps educators build inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environments where young children and families can thrive across Lincoln County.

This position is ideal for someone who:
✨ Believes in relationship-based coaching and educator support
✨ Is passionate about early childhood education and equity
✨ Enjoys collaborating with programs to strengthen classroom practice and professional growth
✨ Values inclusion, family partnerships, and culturally responsive learning environments

📍 Primarily serving Lincoln County early learning programs
💼 .75 FTE with comprehensive benefits
🗓 Application deadline: August 10th - Check comments for link to apply!

Join a team committed to uplifting educators, strengthening early learning systems, and supporting children and families across our region!