Preschool Promise Four Rivers Family Early Learning and Parenting Hub Grant Program

The Preschool Promise Four Rivers Family Early Learning and Parenting Hub funding opportunity is administered by the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care as part of its broader Preschool Promise initiative. This Request for Applications invites preschool providers located within the Four Rivers Hub region, which includes Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler counties, to apply for funding during the 2025–2027 biennium. The program is designed to expand access to high-quality preschool education for children from families earning at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, as well as children in foster care. This targeted RFA reflects the state’s effort to ensure equitable access to early learning opportunities in specific underserved regions. The purpose of this funding is to support preschool providers in delivering comprehensive, high-quality early childhood education services. Funding is structured around Preschool Promise “slots,” which represent enrollment capacity for eligible children. Providers who are selected through this RFA will either receive additional slots or be placed on an Eligible Provider List, allowing them to receive slots if they become available during the funding period. This model ensures flexibility while maintaining a pipeline of qualified providers ready to expand services as funding permits. Funding is allocated on a per-slot basis, with a base amount of 16000 dollars per slot per year. Additional funding includes a transportation enhancement of 1150 dollars per slot per year for providers offering transportation services, and a one-time startup allocation of 2040 dollars per slot awarded. The funding period spans from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. These funds are intended to support staffing, facilities, curriculum implementation, and comprehensive services such as meals, developmental screenings, and family engagement, in alignment with Preschool Promise program standards. Eligibility is limited to preschool providers operating within the specified counties of the Four Rivers Hub. Both new applicants and current Preschool Promise grantees are eligible to apply. Providers must demonstrate the ability to meet program quality requirements, including maintaining required instructional hours, staffing ratios, culturally responsive programming, and compliance with Oregon’s Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines. Applicants must also show readiness to serve eligible populations and integrate required services into their program model. The application process is competitive and governed by a formal RFA structure. Applicants must submit materials outlined in the RFA documentation, including program descriptions, operational capacity, and compliance assurances. Questions regarding the application were due by January 9, 2026, with responses issued on January 13, 2026. Final applications were due on January 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST. The Department of Early Learning and Care anticipated issuing notices of intent to award by February 3, 2026, followed by a standard protest period. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program requirements, provider readiness, and capacity to deliver high-quality preschool services. Successful applicants are either awarded Preschool Promise slots or placed on the Eligible Provider List, allowing for future funding opportunities within the biennium. This structure supports both immediate service expansion and longer-term capacity building across the region. This funding opportunity represents a recurring, regionally targeted investment in early childhood education. While this specific RFA has a defined deadline and funding cycle, similar opportunities are expected to be issued periodically as part of Oregon’s ongoing commitment to expanding Preschool Promise access statewide.

Emphasize readiness to meet quality standards and demonstrate ability to serve eligible populations in target counties