Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) — What Kinship Caregivers Need to Know

DELC Sets the Rules — ODHS Handles Your Application

Oregon created the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to consolidate everything related to childcare and early childhood programs under one agency. If you're a grandparent or relative raising a young child, DELC is the agency behind the childcare subsidies, provider licensing standards, and preschool programs your family may use.

But here's what matters practically: you don't interact with DELC directly for most benefit applications. ODHS still processes ERDC (Employment Related Day Care) eligibility through the ONE portal. DELC sets the copay scales, provider requirements, and program policies — ODHS determines whether you qualify and enrolls you.

What DELC Oversees

DELC manages several programs relevant to kinship families:

ERDC childcare subsidies. The main program for working caregivers. DELC establishes the copayment structure, income guidelines, and provider approval standards. If you work, attend school, or participate in job training, ERDC can cover most of your childcare costs on a sliding scale. Children under 13 qualify, or up to 18 with documented special needs.

Preschool Promise. Oregon's free preschool program for three- and four-year-olds in families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. If the grandchild you're raising is preschool age, this program can provide a full year of high-quality preschool at no cost. Slots are limited and distributed through local hubs — ask your area's DELC-connected preschool provider about availability.

Baby Promise. Infant and toddler childcare slots contracted by DELC at licensed providers, designed for families who need stable care during the first three years. Income eligibility applies.

Provider licensing and oversight. DELC licenses family childcare homes and certifies center-based providers across Oregon. If you're choosing a childcare provider, DELC's licensing database tells you whether a provider is in good standing.

How DELC Connects to Your Other Benefits

DELC's childcare programs don't replace TANF, SNAP, or OHP — they run alongside those ODHS-administered programs. A kinship household can receive TANF child-only cash, SNAP food benefits, OHP health coverage, and ERDC childcare assistance simultaneously.

When you apply for benefits through the ONE portal at one.oregon.gov, the system routes childcare eligibility to the ERDC program under DELC's policy framework. One application covers cash, food, health, and childcare.

Finding Childcare as a Kinship Caregiver

Use the Find Child Care Oregon provider search to look for care by location, age group, and program type. For kinship families, three provider categories matter:

• Licensed centers: Structured programs with trained staff, often the best fit for preschool-age children
• Licensed family homes: Smaller settings, sometimes with more flexible hours
• Approved relative providers: Another family member who passes a background check can be approved to receive ERDC payments for watching the child — DELC and ODHS handle the approval process

If the child is already in a childcare arrangement you're paying out of pocket for, check whether that provider is ERDC-eligible. If not, the provider can apply for approval.

The Oregon Kinship Financial Help guide covers how DELC's programs fit into the full benefits landscape for kinship caregivers, including the ERDC copay structure and waitlist priority rules.

See more Oregon guides →