Clackamas County Children’s Commission expands with three new early learning centers in Gladstone, Lake Oswego and Milwaukie

The Clackamas County Children’s Commission will expand its programs and resources with three new locations across the county next year.

The new learning centers in Gladstone, Lake Oswego and Milwaukie are supported by $7.8 million from the Office of Head Start and $5.4 million from the Oregon state Legislature.

The commission, also known as ClackCoKids, coordinates and provides support for pregnant people and families with children from birth through 5 years old who are from at-risk backgrounds. Founded in 1966, ClackCoKids administers and provides Early Head Start, Head Start and Oregon Healthy Families programs.

“I feel honored by the generosity of the Oregon Legislature and the Office Head Start for their willingness to help us serve more children and families in our community,” said Darcee Kilsdonk, executive director at ClackCoKids, in a press release. “I am especially grateful for the support we received from our community partners as well as Senate President Robert Wagner, Representative Daniel Nguyen, Senator Mark Meek, and the Region 10 Office of Head Start. Their assistance enables us to continue our publicly funded services and efforts to eliminate poverty and address the childcare desert in Clackamas County.”

The new Milwaukie Learning Center is located in a former YMCA at 2992 SE Monroe St. The location will be home to five new classrooms and two new playgrounds.

The Gladstone location is at 17395 Webster Road and will have capacity for 60 kids. The Gladstone and Milwaukie projects are in the bidding phase and should be completed by July 2025.

The new Lake Oswego learning center location will be on the former Marylhurst University campus. This facility will have a community space for partnerships with the Children’s Center and the Department of Human Services. As with other renovations and updates to the campus, these renovations involve transforming existing college spaces for new uses. ClackCoKids hopes the new Lake Oswego learning center can help “promote stronger parenting and reunification efforts and provide space for partners to meet and collaborate,” and should be open in spring 2025.

“Finding property that will meet the federal Head Start Performance Standards, the Office of Childcare regulations, and that sits in the community where our largest waitlist exists is an incredible opportunity for ClackCoKids,” said Kilsdonk.

To learn more visit, www.clackcokids.org.