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Relief nurseries seek $4.9 million to expand early trauma‑informed programs across Oregon
Summary
Advocates and multiple relief nursery directors told a House committee March 27 that additional funding would allow programs to serve more infants and toddlers with high levels of trauma and to stabilize staff; bill HF 3933 would appropriate $4.9 million to support relief nursery growth.
Lawmakers heard March 27 from relief nursery leaders and local officials advocating for House Bill 3933, which would appropriate $4,900,000 to support Oregon’s relief nursery network.
Relief nurseries are community-based, therapeutic early childhood and family-support programs serving children birth through age 5 who face high levels of trauma or risk. Supporters told the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services the additional funding would help existing nurseries expand services, add classrooms, and serve more families in crisis.
Kelly Sutherland, executive director of Relief Nursery Inc., described classroom populations in Eugene where a large share of toddlers exhibit developmental and behavioral needs. “These are 14 toddlers. They’re 2 to 3 years old, most of whom have very few words. Seven of the 14 children have special education needs with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis,” Sutherland said. She recounted children exhibiting self-harm, aggression, and severe emotional dysregulation and argued the nursery’s therapeutic, small-classroom approach interrupts long-term negative trajectories.
Jason Dougherty, a peer-support specialist and veteran mentor coordinator at Eugene Relief Nursery, described a grandfather who relocated to care for grandchildren; Dougherty attributed noticeable improvements in the children’s socialization and emotional regulation to relief‑nursery services and noted the program’s role connecting families to veteran and community services.
Representative Bobby Levy and Emily McIntyre, bill sponsors, framed the measure as support for “work that is nothing short of God’s work” and as a cost‑effective public investment. An Echo Northwest analysis cited in testimony estimates a $2–$4 return for every dollar invested in relief nurseries through improved educational outcomes and reductions in child abuse and neglect, testimony said.
Several witnesses described structural funding challenges: relief nurseries are typically not fully state-funded and must match allocated state dollars with at least 25% community investment; many nurseries rely on diverse revenue streams including grants and local fundraising. Testimony noted that without additional state funding, smaller nurseries could serve fewer children or reduce intensive services that support kindergarten readiness.
Representatives from rural and frontier counties described high local demand and wait lists. Tara Webster of Family Gathering Place in Klamath Falls said her program serves 42 of the highest‑needs families and maintains a wait list of 32; she said additional funds could allow statewide programs to serve roughly 300 more children.
No committee vote occurred during this public hearing. Sponsors and officials asked the committee to move the bill forward to ways and means for fiscal consideration.
What’s next: HB 3933 had a public hearing. Committee members signaled interest in pursuing the funding request; next steps include fiscal review in ways and means.
