NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2025

CONTACT: Grace Donovan, gdonovan@revcenter.org; Paul Anderes, panderes@union-county.gov

Child Care Survey Seeks to Strengthen Support for Families

To help strengthen support for working families, Union County and the Rural Engagement and Vitality Center (REV) are conducting a countywide survey on early childhood care. The survey will gather input from local parents, guardians, and caregivers to better understand the accessibility, affordability, and overall impact of child care in Union County.

The survey—open now through Friday, October 17, 2025—is designed for Union County residents who are 18 or older and who regularly care for at least one child ages 0–5 living in their household. Participants will help shape local and regional efforts to strengthen child care options, and their input will also inform a broader early childhood research project across Eastern Oregon.

“Employers are struggling with hiring workers,” said Paul Anderes, Union County Commissioner. “Once hired, employees struggle to find housing. If hiring and housing needs are met, then families struggle with finding childcare. It is imperative that we work on all three of those areas.  We are very aware that there is a lack of childcare. This survey will help us pinpoint areas that our work can be most effective.” 

“This is an opportunity to gather the voices of Union County families and ensure those voices are part of decisions that will directly affect them,” said Grace Donovan, REV Executive Director. “The more responses we get, the more accurately we can address the gaps and challenges facing our community.”

Survey participants can enter a drawing to win one of five $75 gift cards to Union County businesses. Survey participant email addresses will only be used to notify winners and provide updates about the initiative.

The project is funded by the National Association of Counties (NACo) through the Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) initiative—a national program supporting county leaders in pursuing effective, evidence-based strategies to help individuals and families move out of poverty. Union County is one of only 10 rural counties in the nation selected for the program.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/unioncountychildcare

For more information, contact Grace Donovan, gdonovan@revcenter.org; Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes, panderes@union-county.gov.

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