Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care

The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) is a new Oregon state agency that supports the development and well-being of all Oregon children and ensures families in every corner of the state have access to high-quality early learning and care. DELC also supports child care professionals by providing technical assistance, professional development opportunities, business services, licensing, grants and other resources. DELC was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to unify and strengthen Oregon’s early learning system. On July 1, 2023, DELC was established, bringing together the Oregon Early Learning Division (from the Department of Education) and the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program (from the Department of Human Services).