PFA Technical Advisory Group

About the TAG

The Preschool for All (PFA) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is a technical committee established by the County Chair’s Office to guide and evaluate the financial integrity of the Preschool for All program. Formed in response to County code, the group is charged with reviewing the program’s ongoing revenue needs and issuing formal recommendations regarding the PFA tax. Its mission is to ensure sustainable funding, assess fiscal trends, and support equitable early learning access across the community.

Community engagement

To ensure the TAG’s recommendations are informed by the voices of families, providers, and community members, Multnomah County is conducting focus groups and surveys across the county. This outreach will help the TAG better understand the community priorities and lived experiences as it evaluates the long-term sustainability of Preschool for All. 

If you are a community member interested in sharing your input, you can respond to the community survey in English or Spanish through August 8, 2025.

Committee members

• Elena Barreto, Senior Early Childhood Policy Advisor at Children's Institute
  • (proxy for Dana Hepper, Director of Policy & Advocacy at Children's Institute)
• Graciela Gomez Cowger, CEO Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
• Mary King, Professor of Economics Emerita at Portland State University
• Mark McMullen, Vice President of Policy & Research at Common Sense Institute
• Charles Rynerson, Senior Data Analyst/Demographer at FLO Analytics
• John Tapogna, Public Policy Consultant
• Chris Tebben, Principal at Sapient Solutions 

Meeting information

TAG meetings are virtually accessible to the public. Zoom information will be available the day of the meeting.

PFA TAG Meeting #1 July 11, 2025

• 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• TAG Meeting #1 notes
• TAG Meeting #1 agenda and slide deck
• Meeting Materials:
  • EcoNW Decision Framework

PFA TAG Meeting #2 July 23, 2025

• 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• TAG Meeting #2 video
• TAG Meeting #2 notes
• TAG Meeting #2 slide deck
• Meeting materials
  • Agenda
  • Focus Group Information
  • Questions from the Board of County Commissioners to PEL
  • PFA Ballot Measure
  • PFA Ballot Measure: Current State Review
  • Community Engagement Questions (Focus Groups & Interviews)
  • PFA TAG Roster
  • PFA Operating Expenses: Projection for FY2026

PFA TAG Meeting #3 Week of Aug 4, 2025

• 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Zoom link for Public Viewing
• Check back soon for Agenda + Meeting Materials

PFA TAG Meeting #4 Week of Aug 11, 2025

• Check back soon for Agenda + Meeting Materials
• Zoom link for Public Viewing will be available no later than the day of the meeting

Meeting notes

• PFA TAG Meeting #1 July 11, 2025
  • Meeting Notes
• PFA TAG Meeting #2 July 23, 2025
  • Meeting Notes