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128 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 1: Application Any member of the filing group is eligible for and is being placed in a current opening in a Head Start contracted slot • Baby Promise exemption referral Any member of the filing group is eligible for and being placed in a Baby Promise (BP) slot. BP enrollment partners will determine if a family potentially meets this exemption. They will complete the BP exemption referral form and provide a copy to the parent or caretaker. The applicant must provide a copy of the form to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
The BP program offers free, full-time, year-around, high-quality child care and education for ERDC-eligible families. It is a publicly funded program and serves children ages six weeks to three years. A family can enroll a child in a Baby Promise slot anytime throughout the year.
The BP program is administered by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), and regional Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) enroll children in the slots. Families seeking a BP slot must be eligible for ERDC. BP slots are only available in Multnomah, Crook, Jefferson, Deschutes, Coos, and Curry counties, and the city of Reedsport. More information can be found on the DELC Baby Promise webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/delc/programs/ Pages/baby-promise.aspx or through CCR&R programs. • Child Welfare exemption referral policy Any member of the filing group is currently working with Child Welfare as part of a Child Protective Services (CPS) assessment or open case, and Child Welfare has determined the use of child care is needed to:
Help prevent removal of the child from their home, or
Allow the child to return home or to be placed in care with a relative, or
Be placed with an adult with whom the child has an established relationship. The Child Welfare worker will determine when a family meets this exemption. The Child Welfare worker will complete and sign the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) Waitlist Child Welfare Exemption Referral (ODHS 0861) form and give a copy to the parent or caretaker. The applicant must submit this form to ODHS. • TA-DVS program benefits Any member of the filing group is currently eligible or has been eligible for TA-DVS in the current or one of the preceding three months in Oregon. • Reapplying for ERDC after a break of less than two months Any member of the filing group is reapplying for ERDC and has a break in benefits of less than two full consecutive calendar months in Oregon. Waitlist selection process When the waitlist has available funding for families, a notice titled ERD-128 Child Care Reservation List Selection: You Can Now Apply for ERDC will be automatically sent to families from ONE inviting them to apply for ERDC. Families will have 45 days from the date of the invitation to establish a DOR for ERDC. Applicants must request benefits within the deadline on the selection letter, or they will be dropped from