Gary Burris, Executive Director

As Assistant Director for Quality at the Department of Early Learning, Gary led licensing policy and continued quality efforts begun in the DSHS Division of Child Care and Early Learning. He worked to professionalize the early learning workforce by easing access to college courses, providing scholarships, and delivering wage enhancements tied to higher education. He worked to improve the quality of licensed homes and centers and school age programs through national accreditation efforts and facility grants and loans. At the Oregon Children and Families, Gary’s unit provided state level support such as best practices, staff training and program consultation for community home visiting, positive youth development, child care, family centers, court advocates and relief nurseries. He played a leadership role in carrying out the Oregon’s Children’s Plan – a comprehensive interagency effort to coordinate services for children and families. Most recently with EOI in Seattle, Gary researched and advocated on early learning, asset building, and retirement policy. He has a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA from Evergreen.