Oregon DHS reports lowest number of children in foster care in 15 years
MGN
About 6,100 are in foster care, down 11% from previous year
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and historic wildfires, the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division said Wednesday it was able to reduce the use of foster care to a historic low, return all children placed at out-of-state residential treatment facilities to Oregon and reduce the use of temporary lodging.
On Jan. 1, there were 6,118 children in foster care, the lowest number of children in care in 15 years.
“We all know that infants, children, adolescents and young adults do best growing up in a family that can provide love, support, lifelong learning, shared values and important memories,” said Child Welfare Director Rebecca Jones Gaston. “That is why we are committed to doing everything we can to provide the necessary supports to help families safely stay together and decrease the u