Oregon Child Welfare System Facing Acute Shortage Of Foster Homes

An independent review of Oregon’s foster care system found that the state has an ongoing shortage of appropriate foster homes and programs. Due to the shortage, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has not been able to place children promptly with foster parents able to meet their needs.

Further, substantiated cases of abuse of children and youth under the care of DHS have been escalating. According to OR KIDS data, cases had dropped to 69 in and 63 in 2013 and 2014 respectively, and rose to 85 substantiated cases in 2015. Children in a DHS certified foster home . . .