Photo: LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ / AFP / Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Throughout the month of August, the Board of County Commissioners will host a series of public meetings on Preschool for All (PFA), the popular program approved by over 64% of voters that remains on track to provide free preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in Multnomah County by 2030.
These meetings will serve as a public conversation updating the community on the path to universal coverage while exploring the economic benefits and overall value of universal preschool. This will include opportunities for the Board to explore the impacts of potential changes proposed by Commissioners, such as indexing or other adjustments to the tax, and bring forward proposals for discussion and/or a vote. Additionally, an evening public listening session will be held to bring community voices into the conversation and to receive feedback on potential proposals.
Recently a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), required by the ballot measure, was formed to provide financial analysis and recommendations for Preschool for All taxes. The TAG has a new website detailing the latest information on the group’s plans and progress. The TAG will review current proposals in the short term, but the majority of their review of the Preschool for All tax structure will take place over the coming months with full economic recommendations for the Board of County Commissioners to consider in early 2026.
Current status of Preschool for All
Now entering its fourth year of providing free preschool seats to families throughout Multnomah County, Preschool for All will be providing quality and culturally responsive preschool to nearly 4,000 children across more than 200 locations during the coming school year. The majority of PFA seats meet the needs of working families with 10 hours of coverage daily.
As Preschool for All (PFA) works toward universal coverage by 2030, it is prioritizing equity to increase access for historically underserved populations. This expansion requires major investments in workforce development, facility growth, and curriculum quality.
PFA's focus on equity is already showing results. Among recent applicants:
- 59% were from families with incomes at or below 350% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- 56% were for children identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
The program supports diverse communities across Multnomah County by providing services in multiple languages. Staff across more than 200 PFA sites provide curriculum in 26 languages, and over 25% of these sites offer language immersion programs to help children build strong language skills.
Preschool for All Public Meeting Schedule
Date: August 6, 2025 | 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
What: Preschool for All Board Briefing #1
Where: Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland)
Topics: Mechanics of indexing, parameters for tax year 2026 changes
Date: August 19, 2025 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
What: Preschool for All Board Briefing #2
Where: Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland)
Topics: Economic benefits & value of PFA, the path to universal coverage, impacts of changes, debunking economic myths, and PFA TAG recommendation
Date: August 20, 2025 | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
What: Preschool for All Work Session
Where: Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland)
Topics: Discussion of Board proposals
Date: August 20, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
What: Preschool for All Public Listening Session
Where: Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland)
Date: August 21, 2025 | 10:35 am - 11:35 am
What: First Reading on Preschool for All Board Proposals
Where: Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland)
Date: August 28, 2025 | 10:40 am - 11:40 am
What: Second reading and vote on Preschool for All Board Proposals
Where: Multnomah County Board Room (501 SE Hawthorne, Portland)
Source: Multnomah County