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Date: January 15, 2026
Contact: Communications.odhs@odhs.oregon.gov
 As we reflect on 2025, we are grateful for the dedication of ODHS staff, community and Tribal partners, providers, and the people we serve who worked together to support people and families across the state. This year brought moments of uncertainty and change, but it also highlighted the strength that comes from collaboration and shared purpose. In communities large and small, people stepped up to solve problems, care for one another, and find new ways to deliver services with compassion and dignity. While this summary can’t capture everything accomplished this year, we hope these highlights reflect the meaningful work made possible by working together. Thank you for being part of our mission to build well-being for everyone in Oregon!
A pilot program that provides cash and other supports to Oregon youth experiencing homelessness made a significant contribution to their ability to secure stable housing. The supports also enabled youth to achieve independence, according to a report issued by researcher Young People to the Front.
The Direct Cash Transfer Plus (DCT+) pilot program operates through a partnership between Point Source Youth and the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP) within the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). It pairs cash support with housing navigation, education on managing personal finances and other supportive services that are provided through three community partners ̶ the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Antfarm and JBarJ Youth Services.
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 Households in nine additional Oregon counties — Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Josephine, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla and Wasco — now have more time to report lost or spoiled food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to recent storms and power outages.
If you live in one of these counties and lost food bought with SNAP benefits because of recent storms or power outages, you may be eligible for replacement benefits.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has extended the reporting deadline to 30 days for people whose food was lost or spoiled due to power outages that occurred on Dec. 17, 2025. Households in these counties have until Jan. 16, 2026, to report food losses and request replacement SNAP benefits.
The ODHS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program will be moving from the Eugene VR Office at The McKenzie Center, 2885 Chad Drive and the Springfield VR Office will be moving from 101 30th Street, Springfield. The two programs will be moving to 18 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., Eugene, to form one Lane County VR Office. The estimated move-in date is Monday, January 5, 2026.
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ODHS invites Tribes, community partners, providers, local leaders and members of the public to join us for a series of collaborative conversations as we begin building the next two-year budget for our agency.
The sessions are an opportunity to:
- Learn how Oregon's human services budget is built
- Explore the risks and choices ODHS may need to consider
- Understand when and how you can share input throughout the budget process
- Tell us what matters most to you, your community and Tribes
Please save the date and register in advance for one of the remaining following sessions:
Jan. 16, 2026 from 10 a.m. to noon
Virtual via Zoom
Jan. 20, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m.
In-person in Portland
Ron Russell Middle School
3955 SE 112th Ave
Portland, Oregon 97266
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