Improving Systems and Supporting Communities
The Research Institute
Western Oregon University
Introduction to The Research Institute (TRI)
•The Research Institute at Western Oregon University is an innovative and unique grant funded department on campus that supports the university’s mission and core value focus areas including valuing community and embracing diversity by producing measurable outcomes in communities across the state and the nation.
•The Research Institute at Western Oregon University has a 60 year history of working in education, family and community services, and ability services and has produced academic and research to practice based products and services that are still in use in classrooms and schools today.
Introduction to The Research Institute (TRI)
•Teaching Research Institute (TRI) established in 1963 at WOU.
•Early groundbreaking research in special education and inclusion for children with special needs in educational settings.
•Nationally recognized curriculum development research
TRI Funding Structure
•TRI is not supported by university general funds
•Fully funded by grants and contracts
•Funding provides indirect funds that support the university.
Current TRI Funding
Grants and Contract Totals
$18.6 million
Direct Expenditures
$15.9 million
Indirect Revenue for WOU
$2.7 million
TRI Funders
•Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC)
• State and Federal funding
•Oregon Department of Transportation
•Multnomah County
•Ford Family Foundation
•Other Partnerships Include:
• WOU departments
•Oregon State University
•Pacific Lutheran University
TRI Today
•55 WOU staff supporting research and services statewide
•2 Centers advancing WOU’s core value: Valuing Community
•87 hourly educators working in schools and communities
•2 WOU student staff
•Additional 2 WOU positions partially funded through TRI funds supporting UCS and HR
Centers
•TRI is made up of two centers focused on specific areas of work.
•Center on Workforce and System Development
•Center on Early Learning Support and Innovation
The TRI Team
•91% identify gender as female
•57% speak at least two languages fluently
•26% First Generation Immigrants
•58% White
•33% Hispanic/Latino/a/e
•<5% Asian
•<5% Native Hawaiian
<5% Black/African American
*Data from 2024 self-reported demographic survey of TRI staff
Student Workers Make the Difference
•WOU Student Workers at TRI
•Provide essential program support with assisting in essential research and administrative work
•Support daily operations across centers and projects
•Their work directly supports children, families, and communities
Why Data Matters in Community Systems
•Data helps organizations
•Identify community needs and gaps in services
•Allocate resources across system statewide
•Evaluate program impact and effectiveness
•Improve services through continuous feedback
Child Care Subsidy Data Systems
•Child care subsidy systems help families afford care and support workforce participation
•Key Data Collected:
•Provider Participation: 556 programs enrolled in FCCO
•Family Eligibility
•Subsidy Utilization
•Geographic supply of providers
What Data Reveals
•Child Care Deserts
•Unmet Demand
•Barriers for Low-Income Families
•Workforce challenges
Panel Discussion
Panelist Introduction
•Name
•Pronouns
•Region
•Time with TRI
Panel Discussion
•How long does it take to build trust with providers and children?
•How do you adapt to different classroom cultures and expectations?
•Expansion Efforts:
•Current CCSO initiatives and growth strategies
TRI Statewide Impacts and Services
•Distributed over $10 million in child care start up grants (2023-2024)
•Provides curriculum and training for traffic safety educators statewide
•Maintains Oregon’s child care database for family referrals and field monitoring
•Supports statewide Pre-K with research-based tools and coaching data
•Recruits, trains, and connects substitute educators to child care programs
•Nationally recognized for community engagement and system-building work
TRI at WOU
•Department rich in history, talent and diversity
•Delivers statewide services with a strong national reputation
•Advances WOU’s core value of community engagement
•Connects thousands of prospective students to WOU each year
•Strengthens institutional resilience at a regional university
•Diversifies funding streams and expands employment opportunities
Questions?
Thank You