Baby Promise

Baby Promise Pilot Overview 

Baby Promise offers free, full-day quality care and education for eligible infant and toddler children in local early care and education settings.

Purpose of Baby Promise 

  1. Increase number of high-quality infant-toddler child care providers, especially in communities with the greatest need 
  2. Increase access to high-quality infant and toddler slots for low-income families 
  3. Increase the length of time that children maintain their placement in a high-quality environment 
  4. Decrease the turnover rate for providers serving infants and toddlers 
  5. Develop a scalable model

Baby Promise for Families 

Family Eligibility Requirements 

Children 
  1. U.S. Citizens 
  2. Ages 6 weeks to 3 years 
  3. Living and working in the state of Oregon.
Families
  1. Income eligible 
  2. At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
  3. Employed and approved for employment related day care (ERDC) state assistance program

Process for families 

  1. Once the family eligibility is determined by the ERDC state assistance program
  2. The family selects a Baby Promise Program within Multnomah County
  3. Child begins (or continues) care with a Baby Promise Program 
  4. Child receives relationship-based high-quality care 
  5. The family will be supported in the process of transition care 

Baby Promise Families 

  1. Will not have co-pays – free child care for Baby Promise children
  2. Siblings may have a reduced cost 
  3. May not be charged any additional fees or tuition 
  4. Will have food, formula, diapers and wipes provided at no cost 
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Ongoing and Exit Income Limit​​

Baby Promise for Providers  

  1. Contracted Slot Payments  
  2. Onsite support and technical assistance  
  3. Infant and Toddler Focused Child Care Network  
  4. Environmental Enhancement Support Funds  
  5. Shared Services  

Provider Highlights   

  • Responsive caregiving practices  
  • Play-based programs that do not utilize screen time or restrictive equipment  
  • Daily written communication with families  
  • Highly educated staff  
  • Infant and Toddler CDAs or Step 7 and above  
  • Inclusive program with strategies and practices that prevent suspension and expulsion  
  • Working towards 4 or 5-Star rating in Spark  
  • Family and staff handbooks  
  • Curriculum  
  • Child Screening and Assessment  
  • Family Engagement  
  • Use of technology  
  • Insurance requirements

Next Steps 

Baby Promise is now accepting applications for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Please apply today!

  1. Parents need to fill out Baby Promise Online Application  
  2. Apply for Employment Related Daycare, if not currently receiving a child care subsidy 
Baby Promise Online Application

Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Application

Contact Info 

For more information please contact
Robyn Harris
Baby Promise Coordinator
CCR&R of Multnomah County
971.238.8239
robyn.harris@mhcc.edu

Other links:

ELD of Oregon
Mt Hood Community College