414-576-0000
Purpose

The purpose of this division is to establish a process for administering grant funds from the Birth Through Five Literacy Fund for the following purposes: 
(1) Expanding culturally specific early literacy programs for children from birth through five years of age by: 
(a) Encouraging family and caregiver engagement in their child’s early literacy development; and 
(b) Providing research-aligned, developmentally appropriate professional training and coaching for direct service staff in early literacy. 
(2) Strengthening the capacity of programs that engage parents and children from birth through five years of age in early literacy and that are available equitably and statewide.  
(3) Expand and develop language revitalization and language preservation efforts by federally recognized Indian tribes in this state.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
History:
DELC 9-2025, adopt filed 12/17/2025, effective 01/01/2026

414-576-0010
Definitions for Birth Through Five Literacy Fund

As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise. 

(1) “Early literacy” means the skills and knowledge that children develop in the years before they learn to read and write formally. This includes foundational skills such as speaking and listening, recognizing sounds in words, knowing letters and how they work, and narrative skills. Early literacy starts at birth and provides the building blocks for later reading and writing proficiency. 

(2) “Native American Language revitalization” means the intentional efforts, policies, and community-led movements aimed at preserving, revitalizing, and promoting the daily use, teaching, and intergenerational transmission of Indigenous languages spoken by Native peoples in the United States. This work is focused on halting or reversing language decline; restoring, reviving and maintaining Indigenous languages endangered or lost due to historical suppression, colonization, and cultural assimilation; supporting intergenerational education programs and language fluency among younger generations; strengthening cultural identity; and promoting community cohesion. 

(3) “Research-aligned, developmentally appropriate professional training and coaching” means learning aligned with current research and practices that are culturally responsive and relevant to diverse learners and adult learning needs, which builds on each learner’s individual strengths and considers social cultural contexts.  

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
History:
DELC 9-2025, adopt filed 12/17/2025, effective 01/01/2026

414-576-0020
Eligibility Criteria

(1) To be eligible for a grant, the organization must: 

(a) Serve children ages birth through five and / or their families in support of early literacy development; and

(b) Serve communities in Oregon or Tribal members affiliated with the federally recognized Tribes in Oregon; and 

(c) Be a current grantee of the Department of Early Learning and Care. 

(2) Grantees found to be out of compliance with the terms of an existing Department of Early Learning and Care program grant agreement, as determined by the Department, will no longer be eligible to receive funds under the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan.  

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
History:
DELC 9-2025, adopt filed 12/17/2025, effective 01/01/2026

414-576-0030
Administration

(1) The Department will administer grant agreements with the grant recipients and provide program guidelines. 

(2) Grant recipients must comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement including, but not limited to, cooperating with the Department’s program monitoring, technical assistance, program evaluations, and reporting requirements. 

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
History:
DELC 9-2025, adopt filed 12/17/2025, effective 01/01/2026

414-576-0040
Evaluation

The Department will submit a progress report on the Birth Through Five Literacy Plan to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to early childhood no later than December 31 of each year. 

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 327.839 -327.841 
History:
DELC 9-2025, adopt filed 12/17/2025, effective 01/01/2026