Dear Child Welfare Staff, 

June is a busy month, marking the close of the 2023 Legislative Session and the start of summer. It is also a month that honors and celebrates LGBTQIA2S+ communities and family reunification. These observances are particularly meaningful to me because they reflect the importance of honoring both our differences and our strengths, as well as creating spaces for belonging and support.  

This year’s National Reunification Month theme is “We Believe in the Resiliency and Strength of Families!” This theme summarizes the core of the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation and our conviction that partnering with families is the path forward for our communities. Reunification Month is a time to recognize the resilience of families and how we can change, grow and do what is best for children. This month we also want to honor the work of our staff who help support children, young adults and parents who are healing from the trauma caused by removal and separation. Our hope is that their families are connected, equipped and supported to move forward in their lives successfully. We all play an important role in this, whether we are using tools like “All About Me” books, facilitating frequent quality family time, or maintaining timely case plans.

As the end of the legislative session approaches, I want to highlight an important bill sponsored by Child Welfare that protects information regarding children’s gender identity and sexual orientation. Senate Bill 209 was created in response to House Bill 3159, passed in 2021, which required state agencies to add sexual and gender identity questions to data collection procedures. Under House Bill 3159, a young person’s information can be disclosed in certain kinds of court proceedings, potentially undermining a child’s sense of safety and agency. Senate Bill 209 affirms and protects the confidentiality of children in custody, regardless of how they identify. Simply put, this private information is not ours to share. Trust and safety are key to our ability to effectively reunify families, and Senate Bill 209 is part of that. I will continue to support all efforts to strengthen families by leading with equity and advocating for those who have experienced identity-based traumas, including young people in care. Many thanks to the advocates, Employee Resource Groups and many others who worked passionately to push this bill through. 

Last week, on the three-year anniversary of ORICWA passing in Oregon, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold ICWA on the Federal level in the Brackeen v. Haaland case. This decision is monumental for Tribes, our community, and our work. We are relieved that this important law was upheld, and remain committed to standing by Tribes, honoring Tribal sovereignty, and living into the spirit and intent, as well as the letter, of ICWA and ORICWA. 

So much has happened in the first half of the year. I look forward to all the work we are doing together to lean into and address barriers to equitable outcomes for all children and families we serve. 

Best regards, 

Aprille Flint-Gerner (She/her)
Interim Director, Child Welfare Division
Oregon Department of Human Services  

Resources

• Pride Month: Backgrounds and other resources: OWL Pride ERG
• Learn about the history of ICWA
• National Reunification Month