Improving the Lives of Foster Children
Foster care provides a separate, safe home for children away from a dangerous living environment. Every single day there are almost 10,000 Oregon children in foster care. While foster care effectively meets the immediate safety needs of a child, it also increases a child’s risk for future problems. Research shows foster children experience greater difficulties (in the areas of employment, education, and mental health) than abused or neglected children not placed in foster care.
Oregon has made a promise to provide a safe place for foster kids, and we must make sure that these children are getting the supports they need. As foster children reach the age of 18 and begin their own lives, they need ongoing support so they can grow into happy, productive adults.
2009 Legislative Achievements
- Secured funding for driver education for foster youth so they can get their driver license before they turn 18 and leave foster care.
- Increased funding for Child Welfare caseworker staffing levels to compensate for increased numbers of children entering the foster care system during the tough economy.
2007 Legislative Achievements
- Secured $10 million so that parents of foster kids could receive the substance abuse and mental health treatment they need so their kids can return home safely.
- Kept more foster kids safe by reducing the workload of caseworkers with $3.4 million in new funding.
- Helped secure $4.8 million to keep foster children with their families when possible, where they’re proven to have better outcomes.
- Helped reduce the amount of times foster kids move from home to home.
