MONMOUTH, Ore. — The Center on Early Learning Support and Innovation at The Research Institute at Western Oregon University is set to receive $1.12 million through the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care’s (DELC) Preschool Development Grant (PDG). This funding will be awarded as an amendment to the current $8.1 million Spark contract.
In late November of 2025, the federal government announced a new opportunity for states to apply for a 12-month Preschool Development Grant focused on early childhood system-building. Despite having only seven working days to prepare a proposal during the Thanksgiving holiday, Oregon submitted its application on December 1st. After several weeks of uncertainty, DELC received an award of approximately $7.3 million in federal funding.
This competitive grant aims to augment and align existing early childhood education (ECE) infrastructure, with a specific focus on unifying fragmented systems. The award supports the ongoing development of a shared, comprehensive vision for early childhood education and maximizes parental choice as families navigate the ECE landscape.
The PDG funds will provide twelve months of financial support aimed at enhancing community engagement, piloting multiple programs, testing databases, and improving user experiences. Additionally, the grant will facilitate the creation of a digital clearinghouse of culturally appropriate materials for early educators while providing further resources for educator goal-setting within the Spark system.
“The grant will help strengthen the Spark system in ways that matter most to early educators and the families they serve,” said Lauren Petersen, director for the Center on Early Learning Support and Innovation. She shares that over the next twelve months, they will work closely with communities across Oregon to gather feedback, pilot new ideas, test improvements to the database, and make the system easier and more intuitive to use.
Early educators will see added financial supports for setting and working toward professional goals, along with access to a new digital clearinghouse of culturally responsive materials designed to reflect the diverse children, families, and communities in Oregon.
For children and families, these improvements mean stronger programs, better-supported educators, and early learning environments that are more responsive, inclusive, and high quality. This investment helps ensure Spark continues to grow as a practical, meaningful tool that supports educators, and in turn, the children and families they care for.
Get more information about the Center on Early Learning Support and Innovation and its initiatives.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.