http://www.cffo.org/ en Copyright 2012 2012-02-01T18:01:38+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/lawmakers_failing_working_families/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/lawmakers_failing_working_families/#When:18:01:38Z Get involved at SaveERDC.org Ian, a single father of five, was on welfare when he decided to go back to school in order to better his life and support his children. Today, he holds a rewarding full-time job as a social worker. Cameron and her three children came to Oregon three years ago “with nothing.” But today, Cameron takes pride in her successful nonprofit career and in providing her children with “a nice roof over their heads and decent meals.” What Ian, Cameron, and more than 7,000 other Oregon families have in common is that their success has been made possible through a state program called Employment Related day Care (ERDC). ERDC provides a sliding-scale subsidy to low-income working families who need assistance paying for child care. But ERDC is in trouble and so are the families who rely on it to be able to afford to work. With the current freeze on ERDC funding—and talks from the legislature about making cuts to the program, the stories pouring in from parents and childcare providers around the state have an entirely different ring to them.  Like Valerie, who recently left her husband because he was abusing drugs. Although Valerie works full-time making airplane parts to support her three young children, she struggles to make ends meet while she sits on an ERDC reserve list with nearly 2,700 other families. Garnet will be forced to quit her job as a full-time administrator; Shelby and Jean—both childcare providers—will have to close their doors if their clients lose the ERDC subsidy that enables them keep their children enrolled; and the only option for Lashaunda, a nursing assistant, would be to leave her two sons home alone at night. 2012-02-01T18:01:38+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/ofyc_resource_center_is_now_open/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/ofyc_resource_center_is_now_open/#When:20:11:02Z This past Friday, friends and supporters of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection gathered in Southeast Portland to celebrate a hallmark moment in OFYC’s history: the opening of our very own Resource Center! Outfitted with brand new laptops, a conference space, and a small reading room, the Resource Center will be a hub for all OFYC’s advocacy activities and offer youth transitioning from foster care a safe space to get connected to community resources for housing, healthcare, and education. OFYC Member Ambassador, Sam, shared his thoughts with more than 50 guests in attendance on Friday about what it means for the group to have a home to complete its work: “The dreams of youth echo through this building—the dreams of committed, passionate individuals who deserve every inch of ground they have cleared through political perseverance.” Sam has been involved in OFYC for nearly three years and is an amazing youth leader. We are proud of this enormous accomplishment—one that would not have been possible without your support. 2012-01-31T20:11:02+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/women_for_change_network_happy_hour_february_6_2012/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/women_for_change_network_happy_hour_february_6_2012/#When:01:16:27Z Children First for Oregon’s next Women for Change Network Happy Hour to take place at p:ear on Monday, February 6th. Enjoy wine and appetizers, network with other like-minded women, get an update on what is in store for the 2012 Legislative Session and learn how you can help Children First Speak Up for Kids. WHEN:  Monday, February 6th from 5:30p.m. - 7:30p.m. WHERE:  p:ear gallery, located at 338 NW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 COST:  FREE for Women for Change Network members or become a new member at the Happy Hour (click here for more info. on membership). Cost is $25 for nonmembers. Invite your friends! Please RSVP by e-mailing Deb or calling 503-236-9754. 2012-01-28T01:16:27+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/the_importance_of_erdc_in_eastern_oregon/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/the_importance_of_erdc_in_eastern_oregon/#When:17:39:52Z Child care costs rising faster than family incomes Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Observer Editorial Reports, The La Grande Observer The cost of child care continues to rise but wages in Oregon have remained flat or increased only slightly over the past decade. The result is “a crisis for families,” according to researchers at Oregon State University in a report that looked at child care in every Oregon county. The report says child care prices, on average, increased 7 percent more than family incomes from 2004 to 2010. The findings are even worse for single parents, whose child care prices increased 14 percent more than their incomes during the same period. Fortunately, it costs much less for child care in Eastern Oregon than Western Oregon. Annual toddler care in Union County costs an average of $4,888 and in Wallowa County $2,788, while in Washington County the average is $10,400. But many parents of young children in Eastern Oregon make minimum wage and earn only about $17,000 per year, making even low-cost child care difficult to afford. The state offers financial assistance to help struggling parents pay for child care through the Employment Related Day Care Program. But the state decided to cap the number of participants at 9,000 because of budget shortfalls. So many families who meet the program’s income guidelines can’t join the program. That means thousands of families across Oregon continue to face child care costs that are climbing faster than their incomes and something needs to be done about it. Oregon’s employers should be encouraged to provide resources for parents who can’t afford child care. Meanwhile, the state should look for additional funding for its Employment Related Day Care Program and remove the cap so that all eligible families get the help they need.  Read the Original Article 2012-01-24T17:39:52+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/2011_progress_report_the_status_of_children_in_oregon/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/2011_progress_report_the_status_of_children_in_oregon/#When:17:23:52Z Our 2011 Progress Report: The Status of Children in Oregon, shows that Oregon has made improvements in children’s access to health services, despite seeing an increase in child poverty. Although the rate of Oregon children living in poverty rose two percentage points over the past year, we have witnessed an increase in the number of children with health coverage as well. The latest census data from 2010 shows an increase from 89% (in 2009) to 91% of Oregon children having health coverage. This is truly a testament to the success of state programs like Oregon Healthy Kids, which provides health care coverage for Oregon children living in families earning under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (which equates to $67,050 in annual income for a family of four). In addition, more Oregon children have access to health services at a School-Based Health Center compared to the year prior. The increase of children with health coverage and school-based health access are a result of 2009 legislative action to invest and expand the State’s Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and School-Based Health Centers. The health access improvements over the past year are encouraging. But Oregon children are experiencing a greater need, as expressed in the child poverty rate increase to 21%—up from 19% in 2009. An increase in the number of homeless students and children experiencing food insecurity shows holes in our safety net for Oregon kids. As of September 2011, 20,545 students in Oregon’s K-12 system are homeless—nearly an 8% increase from the previous school year. It comes as no surprise that children have been hit hard by the recession, but that makes the numbers no less staggering. When families experience financial stress, there is an even greater need for programs that ensure children’s health and safety. Download a copy of our progress report to see more data on how kids are faring in Oregon. 2011-11-17T17:23:52+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/watch_our_20th_anniversary_video/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/watch_our_20th_anniversary_video/#When:22:30:26Z In honor of our 20th Anniversary, we created this video to explain what we do to ensure that children are healthy and safe, and families are strong. Thank you to all of the people who attended our celebration event, and so generously gave to support us! 2011-11-14T22:30:26+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/our_children_deserve_better/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/our_children_deserve_better/#When:22:55:19Z Did you know that 1 in 4 American kids lives at risk of hunger? That only 1 in 3 children is a proficient reader? Watch this video to learn more, and we think you’ll agree that our children deserve better. Children First is a member of the Voices for America’s Children organization, that fights to make positive change in Washington. 2011-11-10T22:55:19+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/20th_anniversary_auction_items/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/20th_anniversary_auction_items/#When:16:41:51Z Come to our 20th Anniversary Event to bid on any of these 21 wonderful items. 1)  Winter Adventure at Timberline Lodge Season pass for family of four Mount Hood is more than a mountain. It’s a mammoth playground for the whole family. It’s an adventurer’s paradise, a dream for thrillseekers and sightseers. Hightail it to Timberline, where you’ll find yourself in the middle of it all. Season passes are good for skiing/riding at Timberline, valid any day the lift is operating, weather conditions permitting. Family Pass Certificate is good for four individual season passes. Additional family member passes may be purchased separately. “Family” refers to immediate family members. All pass recipients must reside at the same physical address. Special Instructions: Certificate expires 5/31/2012. Not valid during the Summer Ski Season, June 1 – September 30. Donor: Timberline Lodge Value: $4,000 2)  Summer Adventure on Lake Billy Chinook Private boating trip, including use of fishing gear Catered lunch for four Day trip on Lake Billy Chinook escorted by boat captain, Children First board member Howard Finck, includes catered lunch for four, use of fishing gear, and the company of a fly-fishing enthusiast. No experience necessary. The boat is a 20’ Northwest Jet, wide, comfortable, heated if inclement weather, with enclosed canvas cabin 6.5’ high. Best times: April thru September. Special Instructions: Additional details to be arranged between the donor and the successful bidder before 4/1/2012. Buyer should advise captain of dietary restrictions in advance. Buyer must obtain necessary permits. Donor: Howard Finck Value: $1,500 3)  “Be Well” Fitness Package Three-month Platinum membership to any Oregon Athletic Club: HawthornFarm, RiverPlace, Bethany, or The Pointe Spa $100 Nike gift certificate Two passes to Nike employee store Where did the time go? It’s almost a new year and new resolutions are right around the corner. Get fit and be well with this Platinum membership to the Oregon Athletic Club of your choice. 2011-10-25T16:41:51+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/new_data_shows_more_oregon_children_in_poverty/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/new_data_shows_more_oregon_children_in_poverty/#When:19:36:19Z We all know that times are hard for Oregon families. New data from the American Community Survey paint a picture of just how much Oregon’s families are struggling, showing that a downward trend that began in 2008 or earlier has worsened as the state has cut the basic services that allow families to rejoin the middle class. In Oregon last year, 18.2 percent of families with children under 18 had incomes below the national poverty level. Among families with children under five, 21.6 percent were living in poverty. In both cases, the poverty rate has increased over four percent since the recession began. Children First for Oregon has been getting the word out: Regan Gray, policy director for Children First for Oregon, said growing up in stressful situations will have lasting impact on children. “We know that children that live in poverty usually suffer from [the] circumstances that brings,” she said. “They’ll have lower educational attainment, school achievement, behavioral and emotional well-being and physical health issues.” For single mother Sandy Campos, tears flow more easily than words when she thinks of her struggles the past four years. Divorce, custody issues and unemployment all have weighed heavily on the Woodburn resident. “It’s been really bad,” she said Thursday through tears. Read more at the Statesman Journal. Why is this happening? Up until very recently Oregon was making strategic investments in the programs that keep people safe and healthy as they regain their footing after the recession. In the last year, Oregon has begun to walk away from our commitment to our neediest children, cutting the basic services that allow families to rejoin the middle class. We need to invest in the programs that make sure our children are ready to learn, our communities are safe and healthy, and our state can get back to work. Our state and federal legislators need to have the courage to take these issues head-on. Please join us, and tell Congress and the Oregon Legislature: Protect the programs that lift kids out of poverty. To learn more about children in Poverty in Oregon, data for every county and the state as a whole is available through the American Factifinder.   Children First News 2011-10-10T19:36:19+00:00 http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/20th_anniversary_symphony_and_song_celebration/ http://www.cffo.org/site/blog_entry/20th_anniversary_symphony_and_song_celebration/#When:21:46:25Z Children First for Oregon requests the pleasure of your company at our 20th Anniversary Symphony and Song Celebration to be held at The University Club 1225 S W   6 th Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97204 on Friday evening November 4th, 2011  from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Entertainment will include: Oregon Symphony cellists Marilyn De Oliveira and Trevor Fitzpatrick accompanied by Opera singer Flora Sussely, a small auction, and a raffle for a Hawaii vacation. View Auction Item List Buy Hawaii Raffle Tickets A reply is requested by Monday, October 31st: Yes, I Will Attend I Cannot Attend, But Want to Make a Donation I Cannot Attend, But Want to Join the 20 Over 20 Campaign RSVP by Phone: Call Deb at 503-236-9754 Thanks to Our Sponsors Key Bank * U.S. Bank * Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP * D.A. Davidson & Co. * Morrison Child and Family Services * United Way of the Columbia-Willamette * Oregon Dental Association * Willamette Dental * Albina Community BankBoldtrek * Capital Pacific Bank * ECONorthwest * Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel * CASA 2011-09-23T21:46:25+00:00