Legislative Update from Rep. Anna Scharf

People often as me what I like best about “my job”. My answer is always the same, it is about having the ability to help people and doing the right thing. Here is just one example. This is why I plan to stay,  continue to fight to help people, and do what is right.

In July of 2021, I was sworn into office.  Upon doing so, I inherited the committees of former Representative Gary Lief who had passed away. One of his committees was Vice-Chair of Human Services. For those that know me, you know that I knew then very little about the world of Human Services. Agriculture, Business, Labor, Trade, etc., I feel comfortable in those areas, but Human Services was going to be whole new learning curve. 

On September 16, 2021, a story was shared with me, by a constituent that would open my eyes to a very dark part of Oregon’s Human Services Department (ODHS), specifically child welfare. It would send me on a journey that I never thought I would go on. A journey that solidified in me one of the reason I was put in the position I am in today. There were changes that needed to be made, there were children that needed saving, and I was going to take that challenge on, even if I had to do it one child at a time.   

The next two years were a roller coaster of emotions for the child in state care, for the only “family” she had ever know, and I vowed to do all I could to make things right. 

Almost two years to the day, I was honored and blessed to attend the adoption hearing for this amazing child who would finally be united with her forever family permanently. This child had been in state custody since she was born. Now, at age five she was finally free from a system that had failed her more than once. A system where reunification with drug addicted and convicted parents is preferred over finding quick, stable, loving forever homes. A system where failed reunification attempts with a parent can mean starting over with a new foster family and even new caseworkers. A system where the only constant in a child’s life is often a volunteer, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). However, CASA’s have very little say. The power and fait of these children are in the hands of ODHS. 

During the 2023 Session, I introduced several pieces of legislation in an attempt to reign in some of the power ODHS has. Power that is almost impossible to challenge in court.  All of these bills were tossed aside, and some at agency request. We need checks and balances in all of our state agencies, but especially in ODHS. When it comes to the well-being of children in state care, that bar can never be set high enough. 

I hope to return to office in the 2025 Legislative Session and again work to find ways to hold the agency accountable and do better by these kids. 

If you are able, be sure to contribute to this awesome organization to help our kids in the community.

CASA is a great non-profit organization that helps foster youth throughout their time in foster care.

This is an opportunity to be informed about the housing crisis and how it pertains to Polk County. Just scan the code to register for this event.

Perrydale School district passed a multimillion dollar bond in 2020 and has leveraged those funds along with other state grants to transform this small rural K-12 school. While the outside still looks like the original white schoolhouse with black trim, the inside boast a state-of-the-art classrooms, an expanded CTE area, and a Special Education Center that will expand beyond academics to offer life skills education as well. 

In 2022, Amity School District passed a bond that will be expanding the current High School Campus. When completed, it will also house the middle school students on the same campus as the highs school.  The Original Middle School built in the mid-1930’s has long outlived its lifespan. The district will have an official groundbreaking ceremony on the 29^th of this month. Watch the Amity District Website for ongoing construction information.

Falls City is also welcoming a new K-8 Principal, Eric Clendenin. Eric is a native of the Dallas area and a graduate of Perrydale School District. Falls City also announced just before the beginning of the school year that they would be bringing their bus service in house with four new buses!  A new school year in brand new busses is vey exciting news.