Through 3 interconnected briefs, the OCID analysis Oregon Childhood Program Participation and Early Educational Outcomes examines relationships between participation in select public childhood programs and subsequent early educational outcomes.
Part 1 – Early-childhood Program Participation highlights patterns of participation in publicly funded programs from birth through age 4. The full array of information is available in the interactive visualizations, which allow exploration into childhood program participation, including filters for geography, demographics, birth characteristics and other attributes.
This brief and the interactive visualizations provide a foundation for understanding the patterns of early-childhood participation in publicly funded programs in Oregon.
Highlighted Key Findings
This descriptive analysis focuses on early childhood participation in public programs among nearly 48,200 children born in 2008 in Oregon. The programs are consolidated into 5 service categories: home visiting, disability services, public preschool, income support, and health support. Below is a selection of key observations about these children before their 5th birthday. For full results, please see the policy brief.
Public Program Participation for Children Through Age 4
KEY TAKEAWAYS
From birth through age 4:
- One-third of children had no involvement in any of the service categories examined.
- Two-thirds of children participated in at least 1 service category.
- More than half of children participated in at least 2 service categories.
- Health and income supports were by far the largest categories of state programs examined, each serving nearly 50% of children at some point through the age of 4.
- Among children who participated in 2 or more service categories, nearly 100% included health supports or income supports, or both.
In this analysis, program “participation” refers to any enrollment in the program, regardless of duration. Participation in home visiting and income support programs is based on family receipt of services.
Related OCID Resources
Early Program Participation: Part 2 – Risk and Protective Factors
Read the policy brief to learn about child and family characteristics that are potential risk and protective factors associated with early educational outcomes.
Early Program Participation: Part 3 – Associations Between Program Participation and Educational Outcomes
Read the policy brief to learn about associations between dual-program participation and educational outcomes, and whether those associations vary by different child and family characteristics.
Medicaid Well-Child Visits Dashboard
Explore our Medicaid Well-Child Visit indicator to investigate potential trends or disparities among groups of children.