Oregon Child Welfare To Make Operations & Contract Changes To More Effectively Use Family Services To Limit Foster Care Entry

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Division intends to make changes affecting its operations and contract oversight over the next three years to more effectively use family services to keep children in the child welfare system at home and limit entry into foster care. The changes were recommended in a performance audit by the Oregon Secretary of State. The performance audit found that currently, ODHS child welfare caseworkers have high workloads and tight deadlines. As a result, caseworkers struggle to help parents access and engage in effective services to prevent child removals from the home. The availability . . .