'Sunshine' pierces child care desert in Clackamas County

A new service in Milwaukie and Oregon City aims to provide high-quality, free early learning programs through Early Head Start and Preschool Promise programs.

Sunshine Early Learning Childcare Center staff say that the new programs are vital, since child care is difficult to afford and obtain in Clackamas County in general. Clackamas County is considered a “child care desert,” while the Employment Related Daycare Assistance (the state subsidy available to income eligible families to cover the cost of child care) has begun a waitlist.

Sunshine Early Learning Family Advocate Director Alex Bursheim last year helped to start the Sunshine Shines Bright nonprofit, working to decrease barriers to learning by providing parent education for families, supporting the basic needs of housing, clothing and food, providing free and affordable child care and preschool.

“Community referrals to services like mental health support, utility assistance, connection to health and dental services were also a focus of support in our programs,” Bursheim said.

Sunshine’s nonprofit, Shines Bright, provides support with rent and utility payments, safety materials like car seats and childproofing locks, dental screenings, and community referrals to mental health support, disability support, primary and special health services. The group opened its food and clothing pantry, with support from community partners to supply fresh fruits and vegetables as well as canned goods and meats.

“We are hoping to grow community knowledge to expand our services to families in our local community and find more community partners,” Bursheim said. “Preschool Promise is a good option in cases where families need care and are placed on the waitlist because it is tuition free.”

Sunshine Early Learning Centers are located on Harrison Street and 21st Avenue in the heart of Milwaukie, with a new center in Oregon City off Henrici Road.

“We have many options for low-cost and tuition free, high-quality early learning programs,” Bursheim said. “Our largest program, the Harrison Street Preschool Promise, serves 60 children with income eligible families, from 3-5 years old.”