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Bill would create $20 million fund to strengthen early childhood degree programs and campus childcare
Summary
HB 3011 would create a $20 million Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund administered by HECC to support community colleges and public universities, expand campus childcare capacity and fund hands‑on training tied to degrees and certificates.
Representative Courtney Neron presented House Bill 3011 to the House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 11, proposing a $20 million state appropriation to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to support early childhood education degree and certificate programs at community colleges and public universities.
Neron said the fund prioritizes institutions that provide hands‑on training through campus‑based childcare and learning centers so students can gain practical experience. She told members the bill would allocate distributions based on degrees and certificates granted (first distribution calculated on a three‑year average) and that roughly one‑third of funds would support degree and certificate programs, one‑third would support on‑the‑job training for enrolled students, and the remaining third would support other program needs per bill language.
Speakers from higher education and community colleges testified in support and described local needs. Amy Lune, director of Oregon State University’s Family Resource Center, told the panel that campus centers on Corvallis and Bend have been challenged by declining public investment and staff shortages, and said funds would enable hiring faculty, supporting practicums and stabilizing campus center operations.
Rural community college faculty and program directors described Lincoln County and other counties as childcare deserts and said campus‑based centers and lab‑class models could improve practicum placement and retention. Testimony from community college faculty and early learning hub directors emphasized that on‑site childcare centers at campuses can reduce barriers for students (parents and ECE students) and provide consistent practicum experiences; speakers recommended navigator positions to recruit high‑school students and scaffold pathways into the field.
Ending: Proponents said targeted higher‑education investment is needed to expand practical training, stabilize campus centers and grow the pipeline of qualified early educators; no formal committee action was recorded during the hearing.
