PSU coordination center reports early progress in statewide home‑visiting work

Beth Green, director of the Center for Coordinating Oregon Home Visiting Systems at Portland State University, briefed the Oregon Early Learning Council on the new coordination center and its first nine months of work. She said COBES is serving as a program‑neutral backbone to implement 17 recommendations from the council’s home‑visiting committee and to "support state partnerships that support local decision making and implementation."

Green outlined four priorities the center is pursuing: (1) building a collaborative culture and shared vision across agencies and regional hubs; (2) strengthening governance and family leadership that intentionally includes culturally specific and tribal home‑visiting partners; (3) aligning financing and commissioning a comprehensive fiscal analysis of Oregon’s home‑visiting funding; and (4) improving data collection and shared measurement, including opportunity maps and a statewide landscape to identify gaps and local points of entry. "Our North Star is to support state partnerships that support local decision making and implementation," Green told the council.

She previewed an upcoming program overview infographic and a county‑by‑county resource map intended to show what programs exist, which ages they serve and where services are available. Green said the center is intentionally working to elevate culturally specific programs — including tribal partners, the Black Parent Initiative and Latino/Hispanic serving programs — so those providers have a voice in state‑level planning.

Council members welcomed the emphasis on data and equitable financing. Chair Sue Miller said the council will expect future recommendations from COBES on state guidance for regional implementation, proposed investments in regional coordination, workforce supports and shared metrics. "We’ll be looking for actionable recommendations for approval," Miller said.