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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2019)
LOCAL Wednesday, november 13, 2019 HermIsTonHeraLd.Com • A3 State funding could have Head Ride program sees Start seeking more qualified staff use in first month By JESSICA POLLARD sTaFF WrITer Four years ago, Uma- tilla Morrow County Head Start had 150 staff mem- bers. This year, the orga- nization has 285 positions and some of those are still waiting to be filled. “That’s a huge growth curve for any organiza- tion,” said Executive Direc- tor Maureen McGrath. “Even in an urban center. For a rural population like ours, that’s huge.” Gradually, the open positions are filling up. At the start of October, UMCHS reported there were 26 positions open and now there are 18. Over half of those have candi- dates who are now going through the background check process. While the vacancies represent only a small per- centage of the hundreds of employees that keep facili- ties open across eight coun- ties in Eastern Oregon, the gaps are tangible, accord- ing to McGrath. “One of the things we’ve experienced over the last five years is a huge surge in growth,” she said. “It leads to the need for more staff, and staff with specific qualifications.” Last year, the organiza- tion had 67 employees get promoted, but open posi- tions were left in their wake. McGrath also noted the layoffs at Hinkle Railroad in Hermiston this past May saw the families of some employees leaving the area for different jobs. This September, because of the number of open positions, the organi- zation began early learning classes at some facilities a few weeks later than usual. “We have a great team that is so willing to jump Staff photo by Ben Lonergan, File Becky Sanchez, left, holds a doll for one of her students at the Umatilla Morrow County Head Start Airport Way Discovery Center on Sept. 5, 2019. (through) hoops,” said Myrna Valdez, human resources director at the organization. Head Start programs are federally and state funded nonprofit organizations that provide early child- hood education and other resources to low-income families. The Umatilla Morrow County Head Start is headquartered in Uma- tilla County. Last year, according to their annual report, their services reached more than 9,000 children and families. And according to McGrath, these num- bers could keep expand- ing thanks to state fund- ing that she described as “legendary.” Part of the billion-dollar Student Success Act signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown this year set aside $44 million for Head Start programs, and $22 mil- lion for Early Head Start, among other multimil- lion investments in early education. “It was a historical moment,” McGrath said. But with that moment, she said, could come the need for more qualified staff members for Head Start programs across Oregon. For Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start, a preschool program on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, it could also mean access to funds from the $20 million Early Childhood Equity Fund, which passed along with the Student Success Act, for culturally specific early learning. “We’re looking to strengthen our program, hopefully that fund can help our community,” said Lloyd Commander, direc- tor for Cay-Uma-Wa Head Start. Commander said finding quality candidates for child care and early learning jobs can be difficult. He said over the past few years, the Cay-Um-Wa — which serves 40 chil- dren and has eight posi- tions — has seen some turnover, and it’s diffi- cult to find people with the right licensure or edu- cational background. But currently, they only have one more spot they’re try- ing to fill. “Last year, they decided to turn to more ‘grow your own,’” he said. “We’ll have someone who doesn’t have those certifications and help them start their certification, so they can be qualified.” It’s a problem that exists across the board. “There’s a tricky bal- ance right now. Early childhood education pro- viders are the lowest paid teachers,” Robert Kleng, director of Eastern Oregon University Head Start said. As far as open job list- ings go, there aren’t many in the early education sec- tor unrelated to Head Start or other public programs. According to a study from OSU earlier this year, more than 50% of preschool-age child care spots are pub- licly funded. On the UMCHS web- site, an open position for a preschool teacher in Pend- leton offers $14.77 an hour and requires an Early Childhood Education Cer- tificate or Child Develop- ment Associate Certificate, CPR certification and a year of experience in a pre- school-related program. It lists an associates degree in Early Childhood Edu- cation or a similar field as preferred. “We need teachers. We need folks that are pas- sionate about little kids and getting degrees that will give them the high capacity to do that. We’ll finally pay them what they deserve,” Kleng said. McGrath expressed hope that the state funding would see more early edu- cators getting paid more competitively. “There’s an attempt to professionalize the field. Sometimes finding the heart and the qualifica- tions, that’s a tall order,” she said. “These are careers that Oregon is saying are vital.” By JADE MCDOWELL neWs edITor A new program provid- ing Umatilla County resi- dents transportation to work sold 180 tickets in its first month. The West-End Workforce On-Demand Ride Cooper- ative, or WORC for short, began Oct. 1. It is a collab- oration between the cities of Hermiston, Umatilla and Stanfield and provides sub- sidized vouchers for taxi rides to residents in those three cities’ ZIP codes to get to work. Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith described it as a pilot program designed to help residents get work and local employers fill positions. “This helps workers who struggle to find reliable transportation and makes sure businesses stay fully staffed and able to oper- ate efficiently,” he said in a news release. “Through taxi programs and bus routes, we’re making sure every- body can get to where they need to be.” The program is paid for by the state payroll tax for transportation. Resi- dents who bring in proof of employment can purchase cards stamped with the address of their workplace, to use as payment for rides to and from that address. Prices vary depending on whether the card is good for transportation within a certain city/ZIP code or between cities, but a Herm- iston-to-Hermiston card is $2.50 per ride, with the state payroll tax funds picking up the other 65% of the cost. Rides are provided by Hermiston Taxi Company, which also provides rides for a similar voucher program for senior and disabled res- idents that has been in place for several years. Smith said the city hopes people will mix and match the taxi pro- grams with the HART, a free public bus service in Herm- iston that runs from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. “For example, a teenager who doesn’t have a license but works an evening fast food shift could take the bus to work in the afternoon and then use a WORC taxi ticket to get home later at night,” he said. “This max- imizes use of the taxi pro- gram rather than adding additional bus routes late into the evening when there are fewer riders.” Anyone interested in WORC tickets can purchase them in sets of 10 at Hermis- ton City Hall, 180 N.E. Sec- ond St. They must provide proof of employment. Woman arrested in attempted murder comb said deputies at about 5 p.m. Sunday responded to The Umatilla 31092 N. Baggett County Sheriff’s Lane, Hermiston, for Office arrested Cris- a domestic violence tine Luzette Men- call.The lieutenant doza, 46, on charges said there was one victim. of attempted murder, Mendoza remains assault, menacing Mendoza in the county jail in and unlawful use of Pendleton in lieu of a weapon. Sheriff’s Lt. Sterrin Hol- $520,000 bail. HermIsTon HeraLd Eastern Oregon, you’re our kind of communities. Respect, responsiveness and commitment. That’s been our approach for more than 125 years, and it’s what you and your business deserve. When you partner with us for your small business lending needs, you can count on us to listen, learn and get to know you and your business so we can provide solutions specifically tailored to your needs. Others may say we are too big for you, but we aren’t. We are here for you. Just as we always have been. We’re proud to call this place home, and honored to partner with you as we all reach for the stars. 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