The Benefits of Spark For Your Program

How Spark benefits early care and education professional

Spark is a statewide resource that is helping early care and education professionals continue improving the quality of care they provide.

Spark offers professional development and coaching and gives you access to resources, including funding. to make improvements to your program. 

AS OF JANUARY 2022

Spark is Still Growing in Oregon

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Years providers have been participating in Spark to improve quality
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Spark Early Learning Programs in Oregon
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Early Learning Programs in Oregon

The Vital Need for Early Care and Learning

You Play an Important Role in Helping Children

As a child care provider, you play an important role in the development of children in your care. From birth through age 5 children experience rapid brain development that requires kind, consistent caregivers who willingly partner with their parents to provide high quality learning opportunities.

Are You Curious About the Spark Process?

Are you interested in participating in a system that recognizes what you already do well and wants to help you make improvements for the children and families in your program? Spark offers you a variety of supports to help improve your child care business, including help from Quality Improvement Specialist and financial support to help you improve your program. If you are interested, keep reading to find out more about Spark!

The Steps For Participating in Spark

1. Attend

Attend (virtually, at this time) a Spark Orientation.

2. Apply

Complete a Spark Application and Self-Assessment.

3. Welcome!

Receive a Welcome Kit so you can get started.

4. Assistance

Apply for financial supports (if eligible) to assist with quality improvements.

5. Plan

Make quality improvements based on your individual Quality Improvement Plan.

6. Portfolio

Spark Portfolio that includes information about your program and your plan.

7. Recognition

Receive Spark recognition for your efforts to improve your center or program.

8. Grow

Continue growing and learning! (We call this Continuous Quality Improvement or CQI).

Questions?

If you have any questions about how to get started, please contact our Spark Helpline.

Ready To Get Started?

Here’s How You Can Participate in Spark

Contact your local child care resource and referral agency. A Quality Improvement Specialist will give you the information you need to get started and provide support and resources throughout the process.

CCRR Regional Map

Find Your Local CCR&R

The Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) system can help support families and early learning providers in meaningful and responsive ways. Click on your local region for contact information.

CCRR Regional Map
Clatsop, Tillamook, Columbia Washington Multnomah Clackamas Marion, Polk, Yamhill Linn, Benton, Lincoln Lane Douglas, Klamath, Lake Coos, Curry Jackson, Josephine Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler Morrow, Umatilla, Union Grant, Harney Baker, Malheur, Wallowa

Clatsop, Tillamook, Columbia

North Coast Region

Counties:
Clatsop, Tillamook, Columbia

Agency:
Northwest Regional Education Services District

Website:
Northwest Regional Child Care Resource & Referral

Contact:
503.338.3369
email

Washington

Washington Region

Counties:
Washington

Lead Agency:
Community Action

Website:
Child Care Resource & Referral of Washington County

Contact:
971-223-6100
email

Multnomah

Multnomah Region

Counties:
Multnomah

Lead Agency:
Mount Hood Community College

Website:
Child Care Resource & Referral of Multnomah County

Contact:
503.491.6205
email

Clackamas

Clackamas Region

Counties:
Clackamas

Lead Agency:
Clackamas Education Service District

Website:
Child Care Resource & Referral of Clackamas County

Contact:
503.675.4100
email

Marion, Polk, Yamhill

Marion, Polk, Yamhill Region

Counties:
Marion, Polk, Yamhill

Lead Agency:
Community Action Agency

Website:
Child Care Resource & Referral of Marion, Polk & Yamhill Counties

Contact:
503-585-2491
email

Linn, Benton, Lincoln

Linn, Benton, Lincoln Region

Counties:
Linn, Benton, Lincoln

Lead Agency:
Linn-Benton Community College

Website:
Family Connections of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties

Contact:
541-917-4899
email

Lane

Lane Region

Counties:
Lane

Lead Agency:
Lane Community College

Website:
Quality Care Connections

Contact:
541-463-3954
email

Douglas, Klamath, Lake

South Central Region

Counties:
Douglas, Klamath, Lake

Lead Agency:
Douglas ESD

Website:
Care Connections & Education

Contact:
541-492-6609
email

Coos, Curry

South Coast Region

Counties:
Coos, Curry

Lead Agency:
Southwestern Oregon Community College

Website:

CARE Connections

Contact:
541-888-7957
email

Jackson, Josephine

Southern Region

Counties:
Jackson, Josephine

Lead Agency:
Southern Oregon Education Service District

Website:
Child Care Resource Network

Contact:
541-888-7957
email

Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson

Central Region

Counties:
Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson

Lead Agency:
Neighbor Impact

Website:
NeighborImpact Child Care Resources

Contact:
541-323-6513
email

Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler

The Gorge Region

Counties:
Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler

Lead Agency:
Columbia Gorge Community College

Website:
Child Care Partners

Contact:
541-506-6131
email

Morrow, Umatilla, Union

Blue Mountain Region

Counties:
Morrow, Umatilla, Union

Lead Agency:
Umatilla Morrow Head Start, Inc.

Website:
Umatilla Morrow Head Start, Inc.

Contact:
541-314-5973
email

Grant, Harney

Frontier Region

Counties:
Grant, Harney

Lead Agency:
Harney ESD Region XVII

Website:
Harney ESD Region XVII

Contact:
541-573-6461
email

Baker, Malheur, Wallowa

Eastern Region

Counties:
Baker, Malheur, Wallowa

Lead Agency:
Malheur Education Service District

Website:
Malheur Education Service District

Contact:
541-573-6461
email

READING AND LEARNING

Interested Participant Resources

A wide variety of supports are available to help you. Please take advantage of the resources you need to help you succeed.

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  • Family Surveys
    • English
    • Español
    • русский
    • 繁體中文
    • Tiếng Việt
  • Portfolio Submission Checklist
  • Portfolio Examples
    • English
    • Russian
    • Spanish
  • Appendix
    • English
    • Russian
    • Spanish
Spark Helpline – 877-768-8290 or qrishelp@wou.edu

Spark Program Update Report – Complete a Spark Program Update Report (SPUR) to ensure your information is up to date and to share more information about continued participation in Spark.

QRIS Resources Website – This easy to use web-based platform offers a wealth of tools, programs, and services to help early childhood professionals manage their programs.

CCR&R Regional Map – Find your local Child Care Resources & Referral agency.

Early Learning Division Office of Child Care

Oregon Center for Career Development/Oregon Registry Online (ORO) – OCCD promotes professional development to achieve high quality care and education for children, and creates and supports training and education.

Department of Human Services (DHS) – Information for Child Care Providers.

Inclusive Partners –  Inclusive Partners promotes inclusive child care practices that help all children succeed. We provide technical assistance, training and support to child care providers so families of children with higher needs can play, work, and learn together.