Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Human Services has released its first semi-annual progress report under the Wyatt B. v. Kotek Collaborative Agreement, outlining baseline data, progress, and ongoing challenges in the state’s child welfare system.
The report establishes public benchmarks for how Oregon will measure improvements in child safety and family outcomes, while also identifying areas where the system continues to fall short.
“The safety of children in care is our highest priority,” said Interim Child Welfare Director Rolanda Garcia. “We are taking clear, immediate steps to better protect children and support the families who care for them.”
The agreement, reached in 2024 between the state and advocacy groups including A Better Childhood and Disability Rights Oregon, identified key areas for reform based on a comprehensive review by a court-appointed child welfare expert.
Progress in key areas
According to the report, Oregon has made measurable gains in several areas:
- The rate of children returning to foster care after reunification has dropped to 5.7%, nearing the 5.6% target.
- The percentage of families receiving timely case plans has more than doubled since 2021, rising from 39.5% to 81%.
- Placement with relatives has increased significantly, from 18.8% in 2022 to 36.1%, helping more children stay connected to family.
- Oregon now meets or exceeds all three federal standards for moving children from foster care into permanent homes.
Officials emphasized that each improvement reflects better outcomes for families navigating the child welfare system.
Ongoing challenges
Despite progress, the report highlights serious concerns—particularly around the safety of children in foster care.
Oregon’s maltreatment-in-care rate for federal fiscal year 2025 was 24.7 incidents per 100,000 care days, well above the federal target of 9.07.
State officials noted that Oregon’s broader definitions of maltreatment and unique policy of investigating incidents involving non-caregivers contribute to a higher reported rate compared to other states. A 2024 analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center found Oregon is the only state to investigate such cases within its child welfare system.
To address safety concerns, ODHS has launched a statewide Safety Action Plan that includes monthly safety reviews for every child in care, required monthly contact between caseworkers and children, updated assessment tools, and expanded support for foster families.
Health assessment delays
The report also points to gaps in timely health screenings for children entering foster care.
Currently, 75% of children receive medical assessments within 60 days and 80.6% receive nursing assessments within 10 days—both below the 90% target.
Officials say delays are often caused by late data entry when children enter care. In response, ODHS has implemented real-time documentation requirements, created a centralized referral system, and increased coordination with the Oregon Health Authority and health providers to speed up scheduling.
Commitment to transparency
The agency says publishing the report twice a year is intended to ensure transparency and accountability as reforms continue.
“Child welfare work happens during some of the hardest moments in a family’s life,” Garcia said. “The people we serve deserve a system that is transparent about where it stands and committed to improvement.”
ODHS will host a virtual media briefing at 11 a.m. Friday to discuss the report and answer questions. The agency said the baseline data will be used to track progress across six key practice areas in future reports.
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