Join us for the August 3 Child Welfare Staff Chat

Oregon Department of Human Services sent this bulletin at 07/31/2023 12:55 PM PDT

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In this Edition

From the Director
New Family Preservation Demonstration Sites
ODHS Partner Spotlight
Pictures of the Month: ODHS Represents at Portland Pride, July 16
Welcome to our 2023 new employees

From the Director

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer, and I look forward to connecting with you next week during our August 3 Child Welfare Staff Chat. Please attend if you can and register here. I encourage you to submit any questions you may have for us in advance in the registration form.

On August 3, we’ll talk about the impact of the recent legislative session, the Supreme Court ICWA ruling and updates on our newest Family Preservation demonstration sites. I’m happy to see positive momentum on many fronts, and I am relieved that the Supreme Court of the U.S. ruled in favor of upholding ICWA in the Brackeen v. Haaland case. It validates our approach toward centering Tribal voices and honoring tribal sovereignty in determining what is best for Native children.

This September I will attend and present at the 2023 Tribal/State ICWA Conference, and I look forward to working with you all, as well as Tribal Affairs and Tribes across Oregon, as we look to the future of ORICWA. There is still much work to be done, and I welcome the opportunity to begin that work in the spirit of healing and growing our relationships. Respecting Tribal sovereignty and the integrity of communities is a core part of the Vision for Transformation.

I feel honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside all of you as the new Child Welfare Director. I look forward to continuing the work we have underway together, building connections across the state as we include equity and support for families into everything we do. Please stay tuned for announcements coming your way about some virtual listening sessions being planned for Claire Seguin and I, as your two new leaders of Self-Sufficiency Programs and Child Welfare. I promised you that if I took on the role, you would have a chance to share some of your expectations and ways I can demonstrate accountability with and to you, along with community.

Thank you for everything you are doing to serve children and families in Oregon.

New Family Preservation Demonstration Sites

Child Welfare is happy to announce the addition of five new Family Preservation demonstration sites to our collaborative partnership between Child Welfare and Self- Sufficiency Programs.

The first three demonstration sites launched in March of 2022. Over the past year, both teams have learned how to work across programs to best support and collaborate with families, respecting the diversity of needs and backgrounds in each community. This expansion will strengthen community relationships and build networks of support for families. Family Preservation efforts also continue in local offices throughout the state, focusing on community engagement, strengthened practice and robust services.

Congratulations to the new sites, which include the Gresham Branch in District 2 (Multnomah County), the Polk Branch in District 3 (Clatsop, Tillamook, Yamhill, Polk and Marion Counties), and Districts 7 (Coos and Curry Counties), 8 (Josephine and Jackson Counties) and 16 (Washington and Colulmbia Counties). They join our current sites in District 11 (Klamath County), District 6 (Douglas County) and the Alberta Branch in District 2 (Multnomah County).

ODHS Partner Spotlight

Nonprofit Parenting with Intent (PWI) Celebrates Staff

It's not often that nonprofits get a chance to take a breath, reflect on their work relationships and celebrate staff. A Workforce Empowerment Grant from ODHS helped PWI do just that at a staff retreat at McMenamin’s Edgefield in July. Staff gathered to build community, honor PWI’s work, and most importantly, have fun. Highlights included a Family Feud-style competition, an opportunity to connect over dinner and lots of laughter. PWI thanks ODHS and and PWI staff who take pride in delivering quality service to youth, families, and communities.

Photo: PWI Staff retreat at McMenamin's Edgefield

Project Never Again Duffel Bag Pick Up Date, August 7

Project Never Again provides duffel bags to children entering foster care, replacing the garbage bags used in the past. Project Never Again inspired Senate Bill 548 which requires ODHS to maintain an inventory of luggage carriers for use when transporting personal effects of children entering foster care, and mandates that trash bags not be used. Duffel bags tagged with children’s names lend dignity and compassion to this difficult transition. Duffel bags will be available for pick up on August 7. The deadline to request duffel bags closed on July 17.

OnTrack Launches Substance Abuse Treatment Project

On July 12, ODHS provider OnTrack Rogue Valley kicked off an innovative residential substance abuse treatment project that will serve fathers and mothers with their children. ODHS awarded OnTrack an $11 million grant to fund the renovation of the Cobblestone Village complex in Medford. Internationally renowned trauma-informed design firm Mass Design will oversee the renovation, creating spaces for family connection and healing. Other partners who will provide wraparound services onsite include CCO Jackson Care Connect and Oasis Center of the Rogue Valley. The new complex will open in 2025.

A kickoff event at Cobblestone Village on July 12 received positive media coverage. Among the stories is: OnTrack Rogue Valley renovating Cobblestone Village for family treatment

Photo: Seth Lyon, ODHS COO, and Jay Wurscher, ODHS Alcohol and Drug Services CoordinatorClick to edit this placeholder text.

Pictures of the Month: ODHS Represents at Portland Pride, July 16

Alicia Reynolds, Program Manager Alberta Branch, Alysia Cox, Deputy Chief and Janna Owens, Respite Program Coordinator enjoy Pride.

Rodrigo Rodriguez and Erin Lengel staff the ODHS Pride table.

Welcome to our 2023 new employees

A warm welcome to our new employees. Each and every one of you is a valued part of our team helping Oregonians across the state. Thank you for joining Child Welfare!

Lisa Blagg, Kevin Clark, Jodie Gustafson, Hannah DeMers, Christine LeNormand, Britney Coats, Anna Harris, Alexander Berry, Teresa Varner, Priya Prakash, Jamie Young, Lydia Andersen, Jody Robinson, April Cabrera, Larissa Dawson, Katy Hicks, Jamie Mudge, Camy Sibley, Lea Bryant, Kelsey Chan, Arima Sierra-Cortes, Nancy Kelley, Travis Kurata, Shelby Ortiz, Kirstin Demezas, Jordan Clark, Christina Crockett, Nallely Martinez, Gabriela Iboa Pierce, Daryl Armstrong-Romero, Benton Stull, Edith Duku, Nichole Snyder, Timothy Cothren, Ryan Alexander, Kristina Longworth, Faith Jauregui, Amy Wilcox, Trina Burnett, Melissa Hector, Michelle Edmondson, Maddie Tracey, Krystyna Miller-Ahles, Keagan Rice, Johnny Hanika, Elijah Smith, Vanessa Juarez Murguia, Paige Jordan
Menywab Kebede, Kira Cable, Jean Hrabik, Daniela Dunn, Christopher Tilford, Breanna Wells-Tyrell, Abbie Sinkler, Yun Bo Morris, Robert Vinson, Melissa Sarno, Kas Oakden, Erenly Agosto, Edgar Garibay, Brett Bruins, Carly Davy, Jennifer Rilea, Matt Johnson, Izabella Rivera, Brooke Chambers, Blanca Escobar-Romero, Patrick Gillilan, Jordan Stone, Christina Bond, Emily Jenkins, Shelby Brooks, Ashley Kuske, Allison Raver, Allison Johnston, Megan Bell, Maverick Abernathy, Luisa Reyes Sierra, Lisa Hernandez, Giovanna Machuca, Emma Jackson, Steven Brelsford, Rachel Cooper, Nichole Lehr, Megan Lujan, Marina Tyagulskaya, Rachel Adkisson, Nathan Eisenhower, Jessica McKinzie, Amber Hayes, Kaitlyn McKim, Roy Morris, Kylee DeYoung, Jen Jahrsdoerfer, Heidi Moore, Andreas Tsiboukis, Jammy Richardson, Cindy Sly, Lauren Taylor, Kyla Mccann, Kate Cochran, Cindy Bruckart, Brandilyn Smith, Ana Rojas, Olivia Martel, Jihad Lama, Kylee Barnes, Julia Schwarzbach, Matthew Jones, Mariam Labeb, Lucero Robles,Kylee Barnes, Kathy Strong, Jamie Zuccaro, Jacob Honl, Jaclyn Baker, Imaan Barrera, Cheryl Hill, Kai Seifer, Ashlee Feldman, Celina Taylor, Sophia Lindsay, Laura Irwin, Julie Schwarzbach, Jessica Velasquez, Gerry Hill, Evan Schwehr, Denise Bomar, Cynthia Devouassoux, Chelsie Kreklau, Brianda Gutierrez Cardenas, Bethany Ahnen, Drew Lame, Andy McCluskey, Amanda Wisniewski, Devon Hulick, Tracy Robb, Sierra Dishon, Shelby Marnett, Sabrina Allen, Nancy Ramos, Josue Cruz, Dylan Mavraedis, CT Taylinh, Alliana Ramirez, Alfredo Orozco, Tami Sasser, Laura Hernandez, Claudia Ramos, Ian Thorn, Emily Meagher, Shannon Blood, Ralna Gable, Milly Jones, LaShea Rosenboom, Jessica Hite, Jesse Milbrat, Jennifer Penny, Jaime Clever, Brian Maroya-Powell, Alex Garrett, Jennifer Ross, Brandee Palmblad, Kate Jumper, Todd Sloan, Shawna Morris, Nicole Laisure, Josephine Arceo, Angelyka Cava, Amanda LaHaie, Haley Bledsoe, Patricia Robbins, Paige Smith, Melanie Walsh, Andrea Morello, Erika Palavecino, Madalyn Barrera, Rebecca Anderson, Phelan Lund, Nic Eddens, Melissa Owings, McKenzie Morris, Kamryn Sunitsch, Kaila Gibson, Jennifer Anderson, Christina Perry, Ashley Mendez, Jeromy Reichner, Aimee Sharp, Seth Elliott, Nina Vazquez, Michael Walsh, Michael Choi, Caity Dudley, Angel Rosas, Ellyn Bell, Chantell Fulton, Tylor Carney, Nicole Mustafa, Mercer McLennan, Makayla King, Karen Darling, Juan Gonzalez, Jessica Siniff, Brie Padfield, Adam Taylor, Rachael Williams, Kelsey Black, Jason Stine, Breawn Frank, Tyler Carnes, Stephanie Ellis, Kelsey Miller, Carmen Bruno, Bianca Avalos, Abigail Whitbread, Kevin Mora, Kimberly Flint, Cheryl Edwards, Jessica Crenshaw, Ashley Armbrust, Stacy Hernandez, Sierra Henthorn, Shelby Khatami, Shannon Cadden, Oulu Noonan, Kaitlyn Gardner, Kaitlin Wasson, Hope Newhouse, Anne Manaloor, Amber Marini, Skyler Coady-Bradley, Paula Santoro, Paul Harder II, Jennifer Potts, Daniel Merry, Amy Findley, Nubia Lazo, Kierra Todhunter-Mitchell, Diana Barron Arreola, Kandali Drion, Ami Russell, Christopher Young-Hammond, Salvador Llerenas, Molly Lawson, Gabriel Rondon, Dixie DeGraw, Aimee Bird, Tiffany Giesbers, Marisol Hernandez-Donato, Mandie Fischer Entz, Gina Perkins, Elizabeth Nelson, Dre Imperial, Darrin Anselm, Becky Warnell, Araceli Ventura-Lobo, Ann Vollet, William Floyd, Daniela Vega Camara, Jenett Akles, Yamel Castro, Makinley Johnson, Kelly Eoff, Jonathan Sturgeon, Jennifer Grimes, Christina Mackley, Charles Byford, Quinn Morgan, Mara Steele, Kristina Kilgour, Beth Hogan, Vonnie Alto, Victoria Neale, Shaianne Stanley, Madison Whitten Griffinpowers, Anna Rogers-Rinehart, Alexandra Gibbs, Stephen Arthur, Viviana Colin-Torres

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