Foster Care
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Politics
Oregon lawmakers consider sending kids in foster care out of state, again. Only this time, with less transparency
Oregon lawmakers are considering sending kids in foster care out of state, again. Only this time, with less transparency
Politics
Oregon lawmaker tries again to ban the use of plastic trash bags used as luggage for kids in foster care
Oregon lawmaker tries again to ban the use of plastic trash bags used as luggage for kids in foster care
Think Out Loud
High school junior on developing bill to support foster youth employment
Catlin Gabel junior Vishaka Priyan joins us to talk about how show she came to write a bill to help foster youth that's making its way through the Oregon state legislature.
Politics
Kids in Oregon’s foster care system need safe and secure housing, but an effort underway to create more has some advocates worried
A proposed bill ahead of the 2025 legislative session has some advocates for kids in foster care worried.
Politics
Next chapter in child welfare civil lawsuit begins; now real work starts to improve children’s lives in Oregon
A sweeping class-action lawsuit — where the state of Oregon spent upwards of $18 million taxpayer dollars defending a child welfare system known for well-documented systemic failures — entered a new chapter on Thursday after five years.
Advocacy and empathy: What it’s like to volunteer in foster care court
When kids are taken from their parents by the state, they enter the complicated labyrinth of the family court system. Suddenly, a lot of adults are part of their lives, including social workers, lawyers and judges. For the latest episode of “At Work With,” we learn what it’s like to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate supporting a child in their case.
Politics
Oregon teen who died by suicide often talked of ‘getting out of DHS’
The 17-year-old’s death is the latest blow to a trouble-ridden system that has struggled for decades to take care of its most vulnerable kids. The state was responsible for Jacob for the majority of his life.
Politics
Child in Oregon state’s custody dies while living in a hotel
Oregon promised to stop placing kids in hotel rooms as part of a legal settlement in 2018. But since then the state has spent millions of dollars housing hundreds of kids in foster care in hotels.
Politics
Oregon Department of Human Services’ internal review validates concerns about the care of vulnerable children
The internal audit is noteworthy in how rudimentary the recommendations are. The report suggests Oregon Department of Human Services officials run background checks on providers before they are placed in homes to watch over vulnerable children.
Politics
Oregon pilot program aims to increase graduation rates for kids in foster care
Oregon started tracking graduation rates for kids in foster care in the 2016-17 school year — and less than 50% of kids in foster care graduate on time. Former foster youth are one-tenth as likely to earn college degrees, according to Youth Rights and Justice, a nonprofit juvenile defense firm.