Cuidado Infantil Que Marca La Diferencia
In early 2022 a Steering Committee was established to assess and develop strategies for enhancing early learning and care for Latino and Indigena children and families in the Mid-Willamette Valley. The initiative is being implemented through leadership provided by a Consortium that includes: CAPACES Leadership Institute (CAPACES), Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC), Child, Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) – Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, Marion-Polk Early Learning Hub (ELH-MP), Yamhill Early Learning Hub (YCCO), and the Willamette Valley Wine Foundation (WVWF).
Primeros Pasos holds tremendous potential for children, families and societies. It lays the groundwork for the success of future generations. Decades of research has shown that the early years are a time of unparalleled human growth and development. Healthy development during these pivotal early years requires reliable, positive, and consistent interactions between the developing child and familiar, caring adults. To realize these benefits now and in the future, we must ensure all children and families have equitable access to affordable, high-quality programs.
About Us...
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) holds tremendous potential for children, families and societies. When children experience success in responsive, high-quality programs they develop essential skills and knowledge. However, when children lack quality early education, they often fall behind their peers in achievement and suffer low self-esteem.
Latinos are on pace to be the largest population in the Mid-Willamette Valley in 20-30 years and eventually in Oregon. However, the future of Latino families is in jeopardy due to income inequality, which causes lack of food security, healthcare, housing, and educational opportunities. A targeted investment in Latino children will be pivotal for enhancing the future prosperity of Latino communities and the region.
Approximately 7,000 preschool Latino children (0-4-year-old) reside in this area. Early learning programs are available to serve only 1-in-8 infants and toddlers and 1-in-4 preschoolers . The dearth of quality programs is due to the lack of available educators and insufficient early childhood care-education providers
Our Mission...
Early Childhood Education and Care lays the foundation for a child’s future learning and development. During the early years, children’s brains are rapidly developing, and high-quality early childhood education can help stimulate this development, setting the stage for future academic and social success. ECEC can also help children develop important social and emotional skills, such as empathy, cooperation, and communication, which are crucial for their overall well-being.
ECEC is crucial for Latino and all families, but some face issues with access and cost because it can cost far more than many families and individuals can afford, causing them to forgo care altogether, seek lower-quality care options, juggle unconventional shifts at work, reduce their own paid work hours, or drop out of the labor force.
Investing in early childhood education has long-term benefits for both the individual child and society as a whole. Primeros Pasos is committed to reducing barriers in accessing high-quality and will advocate and promote Best-in-Class ECEC workforce, training programs, facilities, and support systems to serve Latino communities in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Focusing in community empowerment, Primeros Pasos is commitment to;
- Workforce Development: Establishing Spanish based educational opportunities and resources for individuals pursuing higher-education and community-based-training in ECEC. This will expand options for families by building the supply of care.
- Provider Development: Expanding support systems for early learning and care providers which will improve job quality for family caregivers, early educators, and long-term care workers.
- Latino Culture Learning Resources: Developing and providing learning resources that reflect Latino culture and values.
- Recruitment and Project Management: Establishing management, recruitment, and advocacy resources to expand the workforce and providers, and to develop ongoing funding.
Questions or Concerns?
Contact our Public Relations Manager,
Xochitl Torralba