Oregon’s child welfare system is being reviewed through a newly published quarterly report intended to provide the public with information about the system. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) released the report, which includes key data on the system’s performance and areas where challenges remain. The quarterly report replaces previous monthly updates to the Governor.
The ODHS report highlights progress in areas such as increasing the placement of children with relatives, which is associated with supporting healthy child and adolescent development. According to an official statement, the report notes that Oregon is among the few states meeting or exceeding all federal standards for placing children transitioning from foster care into permanent homes. “The work we do in Child Welfare is critical and impacts the lives of families and communities across the state every day,” ODHS Director Liesl Wendt stated in an official statement. The report also notes the department’s efforts to reduce caseworker vacancies through targeted staff retention and professional development initiatives.
The report also highlights the Family Preservation demonstration project, which is producing positive results in efforts to keep families together. Additionally, it includes quantitative data, such as timely assessments, instances of maltreatment in care, the number of children in care, foster care capacity, and the volume and types of reports received by the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline (ORCAH).
Earlier this year, ODHS launched the Safety Action Plan, an initiative aimed at improving the safety of children in care and those reported through ORCAH. “Keeping children safe is the fundamental goal of the Child Welfare system,” interim Child Welfare Director Rolanda Garcia said in an official statement. The plan includes changes to screening, assessments, safety decision-making, and critical incident review. Garcia also noted, “We know there is more work to do.” The Safety Action Plan is part of a series of measures intended to improve outcomes for children and families involved in the system.
