Multnomah County officials say Preschool for All is expanding rapidly and may be closer to universality
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Summary
County staff told the Board of Commissioners that Preschool for All’s community‑designed plan is in early implementation, that updated population modeling could reduce the number of additional seats needed by about 3,600, and that staff have allocated thousands of new and converted seats for FY27 while continuing to refine inclusion supports and rate‑setting work.
Rachel Pearl, interim director of the Preschool and Early Learning Division, told the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners that Preschool for All (PFA) is in the early implementation phase and that staff are updating the program’s population modeling and FY27 seat plan. "The new estimates indicate that preschool for all may need 3,600 fewer seats to reach universal," Pearl said, citing a demographer’s presentation to the county’s technical advisory group.
The update described how PFA grew from a 2018 task force and a July 2020 plan created through an iterative community process involving parents, culturally specific organizations, education and health partners and technical work groups. "It was 100 people making policy together," said Brooke Chilton Timmons, a strategy and communications manager in the Preschool and Early Learning Division, describing the collaborative design process that shaped the program’s framework.
Why it matters: The county’s definition of universal preschool is access for all interested families to a free, developmentally appropriate preschool seat by 2030. Population estimates and yearly seat allocations drive tax modeling, budgeting and the timeline for implementing program elements such as multigenerational preschool and half‑day options.
What officials reported: staff said 38% of PFA seats in the current fiscal year are new (1,462 seats) while the rest are converted community seats; current providers were allocated more than 2,400 additional seats for FY27 and the total number of seats allocated to all providers for next year exceeded 7,000 (including 66 new providers), pending finalization in spring. Presenters noted that converted seats and a community preschool expansion program are key equity strategies that can support culturally and linguistically responsive providers.
Inclusion and program design: County staff reviewed inclusion work, including support funds, added inclusion coordinators and collaboration with family and provider experts. Pearl said staff consulted FACT and made inclusion funding easier to access; she and Timmons acknowledged that inclusion "continues to be one of our most significant challenges." Commissioners asked about screening, supports, and the potential financial impact of expanding inclusion services.
Modeling and next steps: The PFA team told commissioners it will finalize population forecasts to be included in the FY27 model, continue confirming seat allocations with providers, incorporate multigenerational and half‑day programs in FY2027, and explore commissioning a rate study for sustainable provider rates. Jeff Renfro (county staff) told the board the TAG report is expected in March and that any tax changes for tax year 2027 must be adopted by the board by August to allow county implementation time.
What comes next: Staff will return with updated modeling and FY27 seat confirmations, and the board signaled it will weigh demographic assumptions and costing work in upcoming budget and work‑session discussions. The presentation closed with commissioners thanking staff and acknowledging Brooke Chilton Timmons for her role in building the program.