New legislation strengthens Oregon’s commitment to help preserve Tribal families
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) Changes approved by the 2021 Oregon Legislature will further efforts between Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division and Tribal Nations to protect and preserve Tribal families.
Senate Bill 562A enhances Oregon’s historic 2020 Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act (ORICWA) by:
Recognizing customary adoptions, which are adoptions that align with traditional tribal child-rearing practices.
Adding Ongoing Cultural Connection and Contact Agreements after adoption or guardianship is finalized for a Tribal child, in order to support cultural connections.
Requiring ODHS take certain steps when a Tribal child is relinquished or surrendered to the agency.
State Child Welfare Division honors Redmond social worker with award
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) The Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division is celebrating National Social Work Month in March. Social work is inherent in the work done by the Child Welfare Division and other areas at ODHS, which annually help 1.5 million Oregon residents through all stages of life.
“National Social Work Month is a time to recognize that those who do social work are important to our world and our community well-being,” said Child Welfare Director Rebecca Jones Gaston. “Those who positively impact communities, families, young people, and children should be celebrated for their contributions to social change and development. As we continue to carry out our work, we adhere to the values and beliefs of the Child Welfare Division Vision for Transformation which include service to humanity, social justice, integrity, human dignity and worth and competence.”
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Oregon DHS reports lowest number of children in foster care in 15 years
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About 6,100 are in foster care, down 11% from previous year
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and historic wildfires, the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division said Wednesday it was able to reduce the use of foster care to a historic low, return all children placed at out-of-state residential treatment facilities to Oregon and reduce the use of temporary lodging.
On Jan. 1, there were 6,118 children in foster care, the lowest number of children in care in 15 years.
“We all know that infants, children, adolescents and young adults do best growing up in a family that can provide love, support, lifelong learning, shared values and important memories,” said Child Welfare Director Rebecca Jones Gaston. “That is why we are committed to doing everything we can to provide the necessary supports to help families safely stay together and decrease the u