UPSTREAM INITIATIVE
The Upstream Initiative aims to transform early childhood and perinatal support systems in Oregon by focusing on the first 1,000 days of a child's life, a critical period for brain development, early relational health and long-term well-being.
The community-driven effort is bringing together health, education, and social service partners to address root causes like poverty, racism, and housing instability through proactive, upstream investments.
Year One: Creating a Blueprint for Child Success in Oregon
In 2023, the Oregon Health and Education Collaborative brought together Design Pilots representing five communities from across the state to develop local Child Success Models that include community-specific solutions to meet the needs of families with young children.
In October 2024, the Upstream Initiative released a comprehensive report summarizing the findings and recommendations from Design Pilots teams.
The centerpiece of the report is the Oregon Child Success Blueprint, which calls out key policy strategies in four categories that have the potential to ensure every child in Oregon has a strong start in life, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or their family's economic situation:
Housing Stability
Food Security
Accessible Childcare
Flexible Cash Assistance
Developing Community-led Child Success Models
Each Design Pilot was asked to spend a year developing what The Collaborative calls a local Child Success Model: a regional plan for a comprehensive support system to give every child a strong start.
Read reports from each of the five Design Pilots, detailing their community’s Child Success Model.
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Blue Mountain Early Learning Hub
Umatilla, Morrow and Union Counties
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Early Childhood Hub of Lane County
Lane County
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KairosPDX
Multnomah County
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Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub
Marion & Polk Counties
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Yamhill Community Care
Yamhill County
The Upstream Initiative included a Statewide Learning Collaborative, a platform for communities to share experiences, lessons, barriers, insights, and best practices throughout the design process.
In addition to the Design Pilots, three local “learning communities” — regions with robust, innovative early childhood initiatives — also participated in the Statewide Learning Collaborative:
Southern Oregon Success (Jackson and Josephine Counties)
All:Ready (Portland Metro Area)
The Linn-Benton and Lincoln County Early Learning Hub
Click here to download The Collaborative’s Upstream Initiative PDF Document