Early Learning Works provides a fresh start for Ukrainian refugees
This month marks the three-year anniversary of the devastating war in Ukraine. Amid the hardship, programs supporting Ukrainian refugees in our community offer a glimmer of hope. One of those programs is Early Learning Works, a Preschool for All recruitment strategy implemented by Worksystems.
Preschool For All (PFA) is a voter-approved measure that connects 3- and 4-year olds to free, culturally responsive, inclusive preschool. In its third year, PFA is funding over 2,200 preschool seats at more than 130 locations across Multnomah County. As the county builds to universal preschool in 2030—when all interested families will have access to free preschool—workforce development programs are underway to ensure staff is in place to meet the demand.
Recruiting new early educators is a significant need to reach the goal of universal preschool. The priority is serving communities that have previously faced barriers to higher education and employment opportunities. The Preschool for All measure includes improved wage requirements, professional development opportunities, and additional benefits that make these jobs much more attractive and sustainable to a larger pool of talent.
In August 2024, recruitment for Early Learning Works began. The program provides career navigation and coaching, hands-on experiences in licensed preschools, support services, and training and education. At the same time, a flow of Ukrainian refugees were referred to WorkSource Portland Metro—the region’s public workforce system—through the Department of Human Services refugee resettlement program.
Ultimately, this was a perfect match. Many of these individuals have experience working with young children in Ukraine and are now participating in opportunities that will set them up for full-time positions in the future. WorkSource is able to support refugees entering our community by providing a pathway to a quality job; and preschools have access to trained multilingual teachers and aides who reflect the communities they serve.
This week, their inspiring stories were highlighted by KGW-TV and The Oregonian.
This work would not be possible without our partners at Multnomah County, Preschool for All, SE Works, WorkSource Oregon, and Portland Community College, and support from Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon.
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A big thank you to KGW-TV for highlighting the inspiring journey of Nataliia Rudomanova, a Ukrainian refugee who found a fulfilling career with the support of Preschool for All. We’re proud to be part of her success!
“The goal is to get them into a career path. Help them to be self-sufficient, to be able to support themselves,” said Kseniia Ninow, who serves as a career coach for WorkSource and helped Rudomanova enter the program. “They’re starting everything basically from level zero and starting to build their life again. This is a good opportunity for them.”
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“Asia Aseieva fled Ukraine in 2022 after Russia invaded the city of Mariupol. Now in Portland, she was able to continue her career in childcare through Multnomah County’s Preschool for All program.”
Thank you to The Oregonian / OregonLive.com for covering Asia’s story and highlighting how Early Learning Works is helping her and other Ukrainian refugees enter a new career.
“When Aseieva moved to Oregon, she was at ‘level zero,’ she said. The Worksystems program [Early Learning Works] gave her a chance to continue her career in early childhood education sooner than she might have otherwise. ‘I am very grateful that I have the opportunity to build my life from scratch,’ Aseieva said.”
