Nearly 6,000 child care providers in Oregon who united with SEIU Local 503 recently scored a major victory for child care in their state. In a historic agreement with Oregon Governor Tim Kulongoski, providers won both job improvements and better access to affordable care for working parents.

In October of this year, providers in Oregon will see rate increases of an average 18 percent. In addition, license-exempt providers will receive a 7 percent increase for completing a training program they established to improve their skills.

The historic agreement also helped thousands of families afford quality child care-by raising the eligibility cutoff for child care assistance from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 185 percent, and reducing parent copays by 20 percent.

“As a mother and a grandmother who takes care of my grandchildren, this program is not only well-deserved and needed, but is greatly appreciated by parents,” said Crystal Shnexnayder, a provider and SEIU Local 503 member from Hillsboro.