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Communities respond to needs of 500 Oregon foster families, but more help is needed

My NeighbOR connects foster families with goods and services donated by their neighbors Brandon and Kellie Smith weren’t looking to become foster parents, but the foster care system came to them. In 2015, there was a child in need, and the Smiths answered ...

9 May 2020 - Libby Dowsett
During pandemic, more Oregonians interested in foster parenting, adoption

The governor's stay-home order has resulted in more connections with prospective foster families, says the director of Every Child The number of families inquiring about becoming foster parents or adopting through the state is soaring during this pan ...

9 May 2020 - Libby Dowsett
What Oregon can learn from other states about foster care reform

States that have overhauled their foster care systems in the wake of class-action lawsuits may offer lessons The story of three boys trapped in a torturous family circle of abuse, starvation and neglect was the impetus for immediate change in New Jersey’s ...

21 Feb 2020 - Libby Dowsett
Trial could be a year away in suit over Oregon foster care system

Settlement talks have broken down Ten months after the filing of a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Oregon’s foster children, settlement talks have broken down and the case is headed for trial. National watchdog group A Better Childhood has filed a cross ...

21 Feb 2020 - Libby Dowsett
The wild ride of foster parenting: Portland mother has advice for prospective foster parents

Jillana Goble set out to write about her family’s experiences with foster care and adoption. What resulted was a guidebook. “Signing up for foster care is an invitation to raise your hand and invite heartbreak and suffering into your life.” Hardly the sen ...

1 Nov 2019 - Libby Dowsett
Advocates, workers rally in Salem for foster care

A boost in funding is sought to hire more caseworkers and stabilize existing foster families Marissa Johnson’s former foster child had no place to go. When the youth’s behavior became potentially dangerous to herself and her foster family, the Oregon Depa ...

3 May 2019 - Libby Dowsett
Because children are voiceless: Why foster youths sued Oregon

Advocates for foster kids explain the widespread problems in Oregon’s system A federal class-action lawsuit detailing harrowing experiences of 10 children in Oregon’s foster care system comes as no shock to former foster youth Elizabeth Graves. “It should ...

26 Apr 2019 - Libby Dowsett
Their stories: Testimonies from foster youths suing Oregon

The plaintiffs detail abuse, neglect, trauma and the state's failure to protect them The lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by Disability Rights Oregon and A Better Childhood against the Oregon foster care system are 10 youths currently in foster car ...

19 Apr 2019 - Libby Dowsett
Oregon foster youths seek $8.5M to help those aging out of foster care

Expansion proposed of Child Welfare’s Independent Living Program and other transition services Whitney Rodgers has spent nearly half her life moving from placement to placement in the foster care system, but it wasn’t until she turned 17 that she began to ...

8 Mar 2019 - Libby Dowsett
Oregon foster parents fight to be heard

Legislation would establish an ombudsman to work with foster parents Many families believe the first step toward solving Oregon’s foster home shortage is giving current foster parents a spot at the decision-making table. “We weren’t treated like part of t ...

8 Mar 2019 - Libby Dowsett