Child Care Options in our Community

With all of the challenges this year has brought our community, child care has become even more of a pressing topic than usual. With COVID-19 recovery in progress and evolving regulations to keep our community safe- finding quality child care can be difficult. We got the chance to speak with Theya Joslin, Director of Quality Care Connections at Lane Community College about the local resources parents have available.

Is Quality Care Connections associated with- or a branch of another organization? 

Quality Care Connections operates as a continuing education program at Lane Community College. It is a Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) program. Quality Care Connections is one of 13 CCR&R’s in the State of Oregon, funded through the Early Learning Division of the Oregon Department of Education.

How long has Quality Care Connections been a local community resource?

Quality Care Connections has operated at Lane Community College for 30 years. 

Who does Quality Care Connections serve in our community?

Quality Care Connections serves current and prospective child care providers and other early childhood education professionals, as well as parents, and the community at large. 

What services does Quality Care Connections provide?

Quality Care Connections provides continuing education, professional development, and technical assistance to child care providers and other early educators.  The program is also responsible for educating parents and the community about Oregon’s child care system – including sharing information about finding quality child care, as well as child care needs needs and resources in the community.

With the community recovering from both COVID and wildfires, what has Quality Care Connections done to adapt to the ever changing needs of parents during 2020?

Quality Care Connections is working closely with local school districts as they survey parents to measure the demand for child care and to support building its supply. We are working to educate parents, and build their confidence in, and understanding of, Oregon’s child care system. This includes providing education about expanded health and safety measures that ensure the safe operation of child care during the pandemic. 

How can people find out more or connect with Quality Care Connections?

Visit our website: www.lanecc.edu/qcc, give us a call at: 541-463-3300, or send us an email: qualitycareconnections@lanecc.edu

A big thank you to Theya for sharing this critical information with us – we cannot express how grateful we are to Lane Community College for all they do for our community. We hope that if you are in need of child care during this difficult time that you reach out to Quality Care Connections.