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In this Edition

• From the Director
• Child Welfare Updates
• Monthly Progress Report
• Community Connection

From the Director

Time flies when you are living the Vision for Transformation to create a safer, more equitable world for all the children of Oregon. Two short years ago, the Vision for Transformation was yet a reality. Today, through intentionality, community partnerships, stronger Tribal relations and a workforce of visionaries—we are all living the transformation in action. Your support, engagement and willingness to expand the vision beyond our line of sight sharpen the clarity of what we envision child welfare to be. It would be an honor to have you join us for our virtual Year in Review event on Dec 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. We will celebrate our highs, toast some of our fonder memories and set our sights on transforming 2023. We hope to see you there. Take care of yourselves and each other. Rebecca Jones Gaston (she/her), Child Welfare Director

Child Welfare Updates

• Save the Date: Special Community Connection Year In Review event on Dec 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. B.Y.O.C. (bring your own cookie) and wear your ugly sweater for this end-of-year virtual celebration.
• Congratulations to Amanda Catchpole of District 1 and Alexandra Ronning of District 10, two caseworkers awarded the Tom Moan Award, celebrating excellent work.
• Treatment Foster Care Oregon is now on the Working List on The Prevention Services Clearinghouse
• ICYMI: Discover what the Child Welfare Division has planned to protect the Indian Child Welfare Act. Watch our Complex Conversations panel Tribal Rights are Human Rights: Protecting Oregon's Indian Child Welfare Act, filmed during Native American Heritage Month on Nov 2, 2022, before the Haaland v Brackeen oral arguments in the United States Supreme Court.
• Support youth this holiday season at one of many festive events planned at local offices.

Monthly Progress Report

Each month, a public report detailing specific measures of progress of the previous month is sent to Governor Kate Brown and posted online. Key data from October's report include:

• Of all ORCAH calls in October, 94.1% were answered in less than five minutes, with 27% of contacts resulting in CPS assignment.
• Guiding Principle 1: Virtual statewide collaborative for LGBTQIA2S+ provider recruitment launched in October with over 30 participants, including a panel of LGBTQIA2S+ foster youth who provided input regarding qualities they believe resource providers should have when caring for LGBTQIA2S+ young people.
• Guiding Principle 2: All 16 Districts were allocated funds to design sensory visitation rooms to enhance the environment for family visitation. Approximately six offices have completed rooms.
• Guiding Principle 3: Districts 6 and 12 are deep in their Continuous Quality Improvement cycles and conversations are started for 3 more districts.
• Guiding Principle 3: The Federal Performance Measures dashboard was updated in November.

Community Connection

In honor of November - National Adoption Month, Bridge Meadows and Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) partnered to host a festive book release party for Believe in Wonder's newest book, The Pawsons Celebrate. Believe in Wonder is the talented author-illustrator duo of Brian & Josie Parker, who reside at Bridge Meadows Beaverton's multigenerational living community. As ODHS adoptive parents of two wonderful sons (fondly called Chief Inspiration Officers), it is not surprising that foster care adoption topics feature in their stories. The Parkers are working hard to create books that celebrate diverse characters of color! Believe in Wonder books are accessible for ODHS families, partners and staff in ORPARC's free library. Honored guests at the event included ODHS Child Welfare Deputy Director Aprille Flint-Gerner, who was amazed at the show of talent, District 16 DM Rolanda Garcia, ODHS staff, and representatives from the Beaverton Mayor's office, Beaverton Library and State of Oregon Library. The audience was treated to a sneak peek of the coming ORPARC-sponsored documentary short starring Believe in Wonder: https://youtu.be/62qe7GYrTVU What literary wonders will this creative family release next?! We can't wait to find out.

Aprille Flint-Gerner, ODHS Child Welfare Deputy Director Equity Training & Workforce Development, pictured with Derenda Schubert, Bridge Meadows Executive Director (l) and Kendra Morris-Jacobson, ORPARC Director (r) at the Believe in Wonder book release party.

Believe in Wonder –The Parker Family.

Do you have ideas for the next issues? Submit photos and videos of your work to ChildWelfare.Director@dhsoha.state.or.us.