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Date: April 17, 2025
Contact: Communications.dhs@odhsoha.oregon.gov
Welcome to the Partner Update. Here’s a compilation of recent news you can use. You can expect the Partner Update in your email the third Thursday of every month.
The 2025 Oregon Legislative Session has now passed its halfway point and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has completed its first round of presentations before the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services. Providing overviews of all six of our major programs, these budget-focused presentations are now posted on the ODHS Legislative Information web page and the recorded hearings can be viewed on the subcommittee’s web page. In addition to preparing and delivering testimony, ODHS staff have been hard at work tracking, reviewing and/or providing fiscal analysis of more than 1,000 bills related to human services.
Multiple ODHS priority bills advancing
April 9 marked the session’s first chamber deadline, when any bills that had not passed out of their chamber of origin (either the House or Senate) were removed from further consideration for 2025. I’m pleased to report that a number of ODHS priority bills are still advancing, including:
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House Bill 2346, which formally establishes the Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) within ODHS and authorizes it to provide human services during emergencies and disasters.
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House Bill 2991, which appropriates funding for ODHS’ Tax Infrastructure Grant Program – an effort to provide individuals and families with low-incomes free tax preparation services and ensure they receive the refunds they’re eligible for.
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House Bill 3835, developed by ODHS and the System of Care Advisory Council, would address unintended consequences of current laws related to child abuse investigations and appropriate placement options for children in Child Welfare custody.
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Senate Bill 815, a technical fix to the Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act (ORICWA), strengthens ODHS’ capacity to ensure the safety of Tribal children and prevent unnecessary removal and displacement from their homes.
Budget building in a shifting federal landscape
Over the session’s remaining weeks, bills will arrive in the Ways and Means committee. There, legislators and budget analysts will work with the Legislative Fiscal Office, Governor’s Office, and others to consider all of the session’s budget requests. Then, following the May 2025 revenue forecast, the committee will craft a budget for the upcoming biennium.
State budget development for 2025-27 is occurring at a time of significant uncertainty surrounding federal funding. While we don’t yet know the extent of proposed cuts or their subsequent impacts, we and our legislative partners remain committed to preserving essential services in our state. The 2025-27 Co-Chair Budget Framework provides a useful summary of the legislature’s approach to budget making in our current context.
I want to thank each of you for your continued partnership during this dynamic time. Your expertise and commitment to the people we serve play a vital role in shaping the outcomes of this legislative session. As always, we will keep you informed as the budget process progresses and as we learn more about the potential impacts of federal and state decisions. Together, we will navigate the uncertainties and continue advancing our mission across Oregon.
Fariborz Pakseresht ODHS Director
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There are a number of changes and at the federal level that Oregon state agencies are tracking. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) have launched websites to share information related to these changes and how they may impact programs and services in Oregon.
For organizations who have questions or would like to learn more about navigating the impact of executive orders as a non-profit organization, Nonprofit Association of Oregon is hosting weekly, free webinars. You do not need to be a member.
Giving families more access to groceries during the summer means students will show up for the first day of class ready to learn. Last year, more than 362,000 school-age children participated in the Oregon Summer EBT grocery benefits program. Summer EBT is back in 2025 for its second year.
Families will get one payment of $120 on an Oregon EBT card for each eligible child to buy groceries. Children between the ages of six and 18 can participate.
Most families will get Summer EBT automatically if they are getting other benefits. This includes families who received Summer EBT in 2024 and continue to meet eligibility requirements. They do not need to apply. They will receive benefits on their existing Oregon EBT card starting on May 23, 2025. Families who need a new card should call 855-328-6715.
Some families need to apply. This includes families who meet household income requirements and have children attending a school with the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program. Online application opens on May 30, 2025. The last day to apply is Sept. 3, 2025.
Learn whether you need to apply on the Summer EBT website at sebt.oregon.gov.
Electronic theft of benefits from Oregon EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards is on the rise. Criminals use methods like skimming devices to steal your card number and personal identification number (PIN). Once they have your information, they can steal your food and cash benefits. Some ways to protect your benefits:
- Freeze your card between uses
- Block out-of-state and online purchases
- Monitor your EBT account activity
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) issued four grants totaling $2.35 million to fund local pilot projects that provide innovative strategies to address the emergency medical services needs of older adults who live in long-term care facilities.
The grants are part of the Senior Emergency Medical Services Innovation Program, which was created when Oregon House Bill 2397 passed in 2021. Funding for the grants started in January 2025 and will continue through December 2026.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) launched a new Oregon Brain Injury Program. The program is designed to help individuals with brain injuries navigate and access the services and supports available to them. Services are free and available to anyone in Oregon affected by a brain injury, including family members or others seeking information.
Free help is available through a toll-free phone line that accepts calls Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services provided include:
- One-on-one, free and confidential support.
- Personalized referrals to resources specific to brain injury recovery and management.
- Comprehensive resource information to help navigate available services and options
In mid-March, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) released details of its safety action plan for oversight of providers who serve older adults and people with disabilities who live in facilities and adult foster homes.
The plan follows the preliminary report from a third-party consultant hired to conduct an external assessment of state oversight of licensed long-term care providers.
March was Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This month celebrates people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their many contributions to their communities. This year’s theme from the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Always,” reminds us that awareness and support should happen all year round, not just in March.
If you don’t owe any taxes, you have three years to file your tax return without any penalty and still get your refund. Plus, thanks to the Oregon Department of Human Services Tax Infrastructure Grant Program, there are many places to get free help in filing your taxes.
For many people, particularly those with lower incomes or who work part-time or seasonally, a refund is due thanks to withholding and refundable tax credits.
But why wait three years if you are due a tax refund? Don’t let the April 15 deadline stop you from getting your tax return this year. It may be too late to find an appointment before April 15, but many free tax filing places take some time off after April 15 and then start up again in May and work through October 15.
Also, it is fairly common to get a letter two or three months after filing your taxes from the Oregon Department of Revenue or the Internal Revenue Service asking for more information. The free tax filing services can help you respond to the letter including translating into other languages if needed.
ODHS Provider and Partner Resources
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