Portland, Ore. (Aug. 18, 2025) — The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is heading into a pivotal week of public meetings for Preschool for All (PFA), the voter-approved program on track to provide free, universal preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in the county by 2030.
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 19, commissioners will review the program's economic benefits, discuss potential adjustments to its tax structure, and hear directly from the community in a series of sessions that will shape the future of the popular program. A recently-formed Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has also concluded a fiscal analysis of the program, with initial recommendations discussed during the briefings.
Upcoming Preschool for All public meeting schedule:
All meetings will be held at the Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland).
- August 19, 2025 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- What: Preschool for All board briefing
- Topics: Economic benefits & value of PFA, the path to universal coverage, impacts of changes, and PFA TAG recommendation.
- August 20, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
- What: Preschool for All work session
- Topics: Discussion of Board proposals.
- August 20, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- What: Preschool for All public listening session
- August 21, 2025 | 10:35 am - 11:35 am
- What: First reading on Preschool for All board proposals
- August 28, 2025 | 10:40 am - 11:40 am
- What: Second reading and vote on Preschool for All board proposals
The week's events are part of a month-long community conversation on PFA's path to universal coverage. The meetings will feature detailed briefings, opportunities for the Board to bring forward proposals for discussion, and an evening listening session for public feedback.
“I support Preschool for All because it is the only path to high-quality early education that my two young sons—with their complex medical needs—can realistically access,” said Hanna, a current Preschool for All parent. “Preschool for All embodies our county’s commitment to equity and opportunity, ensuring children are not excluded from foundational learning just because their parents’ income, health challenges, or ZIP code put them at a disadvantage. Reliable, affordable preschool keeps parents in the workforce and kids on a path to success.”
Now entering its fourth year, Preschool for All is already showing major results. In the upcoming school year, the program will provide quality, culturally responsive preschool to nearly 4,000 children across more than 200 locations. Combined with other publicly funded programs, there will now be enough preschool seats for over 40% of Multnomah County's 3- and 4-year-olds.
PFA continues to successfully reach its priority populations, with recent data showing:
- 71% of children are from families with incomes at or below 350% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- 65% of enrolled children identify as Black, Indigenous, or Children of Color.
- 30% of families speak a language other than English, with 61 different languages spoken
About Preschool for All: Approved by over 64% of voters, Preschool for All is a Multnomah County initiative dedicated to creating a tuition-free, high-quality, and culturally responsive preschool system for all interested families. By investing in the early learning workforce, facilities, and partnerships with a diverse mix of community-based providers, PFA is building a system that centers the needs of children and families and aims to offer universal access by 2030.
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