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In this Edition

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

From the Interim Director

My first few months serving as interim director have been busy, especially with the start of the 2023 Legislative Session. Stepping into this new position is reinforcing how fortunate I feel to work alongside passionate people and communities dedicated to serving children and families. I wholeheartedly believe we will continue to see improvements in our outcomes if we prioritize prevention, preservation, equity, workforce development and continuous quality improvement. While my role has changed due to former Director Rebecca Jones Gaston’s departure, my goals have not. My intent is to continue leading our current, impactful work and to help solidify a collective feeling of stability and share our commitment to the Vision for Transformation. I look forward to connecting with you, working to reach our shared vision and hope you will join me at the upcoming Community Connection in May. Warmest regards, Aprille Flint-Gerner (she/her)

Child Welfare Updates

• Save the date and register now: Upcoming Child Welfare Community Connection on Thursday, May 17 from 3 to 4 p.m.
• Save the date: "Finding Balance: a Summit on Youth Well-being", sponsored by ODHS Child Welfare and Foster Club on May 5 in Gladstone, OR.
• One year ago, the Family Preservation demonstration launched, focused on keeping families together and stable. We will be celebrating all the passion, heart, innovation and work from the last year with the three demonstration sites in early April. For details: family.preservation@odhsoha.oregon.gov
• In the news: "ODHS Child Welfare aims to support families, prevent entering foster care"
• Pandemic emergency food benefits (officially called Emergency Allotments) ended in February 2023. Starting in March, SNAP households will only get their regular SNAP payment. Learn about other food resources and more about this change.​
• Check out Child Welfare 2023 legislative presentations: Overview of Child Welfare and Information session on Family Preservation both for the Joint Subcommittee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services

Monthly Progress Report

Each month, a public report detailing specific measures of progress is sent to Governor Tina Kotek and posted online. Key data from February's report (which looks at the prior month) include:

• In January, we saw an increase in the number of contacts received at ORCAH which is typical as students return after winter break. However, the percentage of assigned reports lowered slightly to 26%.
• January marked the start of our new Certified Respite Care Program. A certified respite care provider is trained to provide temporary care and supervision of children and young adults in foster care. Respite care can be pre-planned or provided as crisis-support for a resource family.
• Resource and Adoptive Family Training (RAFT) facilitator training has been scheduled for 2023. These trainings provide a statewide opportunity for local staff to prepare for and deliver RAFT training to prospective resource families in their communities. 
• The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program continues making progress in implementing CQI within districts across the state. The team has identified Marion County as the next implementation site. Invitation letters were sent and kickoff is expected in the spring.

Community Connection

There is always a need for great volunteers for many of our partners. This article highlights some new volunteers of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Columbia Gorge. You can find out more about being a CASA in your Oregon community at this link.

Remember the story in our last edition about the book signing for Believe in Wonder? We are so happy to share Child Welfare offices across Oregon have now started receiving books and coloring books from these talented local authors to share with children and families. The titles are:

• "The Pawsons Celebrate"
• "The Pawsons Move In"
• "Uncle Ezra’s Costume Trunk"
• "Wonderous Flights: A Coloring Book…"

The authors’ website provides  more information about their story, how to share with others, or order your own books. 

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.