Commission backs gap analysis as Preschool for All nears universal enrollment

Commissioners voted May 21 to support a multi‑phase gap analysis to guide Multnomah County’s final steps toward universal Preschool for All.

Preschool and Early Learning staff told the board they have completed geographic saturation mapping and are moving into qualitative analysis, family needs interviews and synthesis phases. The division said it already uses multiple datasets (PSU population estimates, enrollment and waitlist data, earlier overlays from external evaluators) and aims to deliver recommendations to inform allocation committee decisions in November and a final report by December 2026.

Staff emphasized that as the program approaches universality the remaining seats are the most difficult to fill equitably and that work now must focus on family choice, schedule variety, language access, and service types (family‑childcare, center‑based, school‑based). Commissioners discussed outreach to nontraditional‑hour workers and trades and asked the division to explicitly include that input in family interviews.

The resolution was adopted as amended to reflect support for the division’s timeline and to add specific dates for phases; staff said outreach and applications for the next year are already underway, with allocation decisions expected in November and seat awards in December.