[Libs-Or] What libraries can do regarding the foster care crisis

[Katie Anderson]

As many of you know, there is a foster care crisis in Oregon. One of the primary problems is a decline in the number of foster care providers which is resulting in children spending the night with Department of Human Services (DHS) staff in hotels and occasionally in their offices.

What can libraries do to help?

·         Add a "Become a foster care provider<http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/FOSTERCARE/Pages/become-fosterparent.aspx>" link on your website and/or short-cut on the home screen of your public access computers.

·         Email Billy Cordero (Billy.CORDERO at dhsoha.state.or.us<mailto:Billy.CORDERO at dhsoha.state.or.us>) to order foster parent recruitment materials to display and/or distribute in your library-be sure to talk with your coworkers first so only one person per library is contacting Billy to place an order.

o   11 x 17 posters

o   5 ½ x 11 flyers

o   3 ½ x 11 double sided informational cards

·         Start a conversation with staff at your local DHS Child Welfare office<https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/Offices/Pages/Child-Welfare.aspx>

What should you know? There are three types of foster care providers, all are needed!

·         Respite care<http://www.embraceoregon.org/join/foster-care/respite-care> providers do babysitting and occasional overnights for foster children living in another foster home because long-term foster care providers can't just hire a babysitter like other parents. Everyone who cares for foster children must go through a background check!

·         Shelter care<http://www.embraceoregon.org/join/foster-care/shelter-care> providers offer a safe place for children who are in immediate crisis and placements are typically for a few days, but may last longer.

·         Long-term care<http://www.embraceoregon.org/join/foster-care> provider care for foster children as long as needed until they can be reunified with their family or adopted.

Want to learn more?

·         Visit DHS' Foster Care website<http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/FOSTERCARE/Pages/index.aspx>

·         Visit the Embrace Oregon<http://www.embraceoregon.org/about> website, it is an intermediary non-profit organization that helps recruit and support foster parents in partnership with DHS

·         Read/listen/watch these news stories about the current foster care crisis

o   Fox12: 'Crisis' in Oregon foster care system forcing children in motels and offices instead of homes<http://www.kptv.com/story/32713348/crisis-in-oregon-foster-care-system-forcing-children-in-motels-and-offices-instead-of-homes>

o   OPB: With Foster Care System 'Crisis,' Oregon Puts Kids In Hotel Rooms<http://www.opb.org/news/article/temporary-housing-for-foster-kids-in-crisis/>

o   Statesman Journal: DHS Director: Lack of foster homes a 'crisis'<http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/05/dhs-director-lack-foster-homes-crisis/85460954/>

Thanks,
Katie


Katie Anderson, MLS, Youth Services Consultant
Library Support and Development Services<http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/pages/index.aspx>
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528
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