Family Connections at Linn-Benton Community College

04/24/2026

Let your voice be heard!

Community input is essential for effective policy-making.

Governor Kotek has convened an Early Childhood Care & Learning System Roundtable to develop recommendations that will transform Oregon's child care system. As a partner at this table, Children's Institute is ensuring that community voices—especially mothers, caregivers, and early childhood professionals—inform this critical work.

We invite you to join us for community input sessions:
📅 Tuesday, April 28 | 6-8 PM (English)
📅 Thursday, April 30 | 6-8 PM (Spanish)
📍 Via Zoom
Register here: https://forms.gle/j2BBNTWn8AwL5m696

These sessions are an opportunity to shape policy recommendations that will impact families across Oregon. When those most affected by policy are part of the process, we create solutions that actually work.

Please share with your networks to ensure broad community participation.

04/14/2026

Join us in celebrating the Week of the Young Child, a national event led by National Association for the Education of Young Children that highlights the importance of early learning, young children, and the educators who support them!

Each day focuses on a fun, meaningful theme that supports children’s development through play, creativity, and connection:
🎵 Music Monday – Build language and literacy through singing, dancing, and movement
🍎 Tasty Tuesday – Explore healthy habits while connecting cooking to math, science, and literacy
🧩 Work Together Wednesday – Encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and social skills through building and collaboration
🎨 Artsy Thursday – Inspire creativity, imagination, and fine motor development through open-ended art
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Friday – Celebrate the important role families play in children’s learning and development

These daily themes are designed to show how children learn best through hands-on, engaging experiences that build social, emotional, and cognitive skills.

Whether you’re a teacher, provider, or program leader, this is a great opportunity to plan meaningful activities, engage families, and celebrate the joy of early learning.

Learn more and find ideas here:
https://www.naeyc.org/events/woyc/daily-themes

There is so much children learn as they enjoy music, explore food and cooking, build together, create art, and celebrate their families! Start planning your celebration today with these event ideas and activities.

04/01/2026

Last chance to register for the Early Educators Coastal Conference. Registration closes Friday and classes are filling fast.

Join us April 10–11 at Oregon Coast Community College in Newport. Friday evening is free with dinner and inclusion-focused sessions. Saturday is a full day of Set 2 training with breakfast and lunch included.

Secure your spot now:

03/20/2026

The Research Institute at Western Oregon University is conducting a Pilot Project to explore the use of the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) and the Teaching Pyramid Infant-Toddler Observation Scale (TPITOS) as potential tools for Spark observations.
Programs are invited to volunteer to participate in the Spring 2026 pilot!
Link in comments to learn more!

03/12/2026

Registration is OPEN for the Early Educators Coastal Conference!

Early childhood educators, this one is for you! Join us April 10–11, 2026 on the beautiful Oregon Coast for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection with fellow early learning professionals.

Why attend?
• Practical classroom strategies you can use right away
• Sessions on literacy, inclusion, family engagement, and supporting challenging behaviors
• Networking with educators from across the region
• Inspiring keynotes with Dr. Cindy Ryan and LBL ESD!
• Friday is FREE and Saturday is low cost!
Bonus: Dinner Friday evening and breakfast + lunch on Saturday are included!

📍 Oregon Coast Community College – Newport Campus
📅 April 10–11, 2026

Space is limited, register now! https://lf.linnbenton.edu/Forms/EarlyEducConf

02/24/2026

FREE Spring Training in Sweet Home For Family Child Care Providers and Parents/Caregivers!

LBCC Family Connections and the Parenting Education Department are excited to offer Positive Solutions for Families (PSF), a 7-week workshop series based on the Pyramid Model.

This unique training is designed for Family Child Care Providers and families to attend together. It’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen family engagement while building shared strategies to support children’s social-emotional development and address challenging behaviors at home and in care settings.

What’s included:
• 14 Set 1 ORO credits across 5 CKCs (FCS, HGD, UGB, LEC, SN)
• Practical, research-based strategies for positive guidance
• Stronger partnerships between providers and families
• FREE dinner and child care provided each week

This is truly a win-win! Supporting children, strengthening relationships, and building confident, connected caregivers!

02/10/2026

Now Hiring: Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Join Linn-Benton Community College’s Family Resources Education Center in a meaningful role supporting infants, young children, and the educators who care for them across Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties.

This role focuses on:
• Partnering with early childhood providers to support children’s social-emotional development
• Reducing suspension and expulsion through relationship-based, preventive consultation
• Providing training and strategies around trauma-informed care, attachment, and emotional wellness

💼 Full-time with benefits
💰 $70,167–$94,931 annually
🗓 Apply by February 22, 2026

Job posting and link to apply are in the comments.

01/29/2026

The ELSI Implementation Support Team is offering a series of professional learning opportunities designed to support high-quality Pyramid Model implementation across early learning programs.

We invite educators, coaches, and administrators to join one or more of the following offerings:
• In-person TPOT Reliability Training
• Virtual TPITOS Reliability Training
• Virtual ePyramid Learning Communities

These learning opportunities are ideal for programs and professionals looking to deepen their understanding of social-emotional practices, strengthen fidelity of implementation, and build sustainable systems that support children, families, and staff.

Whether you are new to the Pyramid Model or continuing to grow your implementation work, these trainings provide meaningful guidance, collaboration, and ongoing support.

View dates, details, and register here:

ELSI events in support of Oregon Early Childhood Inclusion (OECI)

01/29/2026

Free STEAM Kits Available for Educators!

Looking to bring hands-on, engaging STEAM learning into your classroom? The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub’s Educator Lending Library is a free resource available to educators in Linn and Benton counties.

Educators can check out a wide variety of STEAM kits, including LEGO sets, math manipulatives, robotics kits, Chromebooks, and more. These kits are designed to support active learning while strengthening collaboration, problem-solving, communication, social-emotional development, and a sense of belonging for students.

What to know:
• Free for educators
• Over 150 STEAM kits available
• Two-week checkout, with up to two renewals (up to six weeks total)
• Pick up and return at the LBCC Albany Library
• Kits support learners from K–12 through college

Getting started is easy! Become a patron, browse the online catalog, and place a hold on the kits that best fit your learning goals.

Questions? Contact the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub at midvalleystemctehub@linnbenton.edu

Thank you to the LBCC Albany Library for partnering as our pickup and drop-off location, and to our early adopters for helping pilot this exciting resource!

01/29/2026

When storms and fires disrupt caregiving for months, this volunteer-run network deploys to support parents navigating work, trauma and recovery.

01/25/2026

01/25/2026

The Oregon State legislature decided not to renew the Oregon Child Care Workforce Payment Program. At this time we have no new funding to distribute.

The remaining funds will be distributed on a first come first serve basis to child care staff who have not previously received the funds in 2024 or 2025.

Do you qualify?

1. You have not received the 2024 or 2025 payment

2. Currently working in an Oregon child care facility or in a license exempt or recorded program receiving ERDC or as a family, friend, neighbor care receiving ERDC

For any questions please email us: occdrecognition@pdx.edu