Two Oregon Department Of Human Services Programs In Eugene Moving To New Eugene And Springfield Locations - 05/06/26

The Oregon Department of Human Services Self-Sufficiency Programs (SSP) and Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) in Eugene are moving to better serve clients.

The two programs will be moving from The McKenzie Center, 2885 Chad Drive, Eugene into two locations: 2101 West 11^th Avenue, Eugene and 101 30^th Street, Springfield. The move is expected to be complete by May 11, 2026. The Child Welfare program will remain at 2885 Chad Drive in Eugene.

“The two programs, SSP and OEP, are relocating to consolidate the programs into two locations in the Eugene Metro area and to have building spaces that are better suited to serving our community. We will have more staff available to see clients in person. We’re creating something better for the people we serve,” Elizabeth Lindbloom, Self-Sufficiency Program Manager, and Zayra Longoria, Oregon Eligibility Partnership Program Manager, said.

About ODHS

The ODHS programs provide financial supports to families which include SNAP, TANF, Domestic Violence Survivor Benefits, childcare and medical benefits. The JOBS program connects families to a Family Coach for an assessment and supports to achieve their goals and create pathways out of poverty. ODHS staff assist individuals and families in navigating resources, including finding and funding childcare, providing gas support, and offering transportation to domestic violence shelters, medical appointments, and other essential visits. ODHS collaborates with various partners to address family needs and connects families to affordable housing and other resource needs. ODHS works with other providers to provide employment and education opportunities, ensuring access to vital community resources.

Learn more about ODHS: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/default.aspx?  utm_source=odhs&utm_medium=egov_redirect&utm_campaign=https%3a%2f%2fwww.oregon.gov%2fdhs.

Learn more about the Child Welfare Program: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/cw.aspx.

Learn more about the Oregon Eligibility Partnership: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/oep.aspx.

Learn more about the Self-Sufficiency Programs: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/ssp.aspx.

ODHS Publishes First Child Welfare Report Under Wyatt B. V. Kotek, Names Benchmarks, Gaps And Actions - 05/01/26

Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) today released its first semi-annual report under the Wyatt B. v. Kotek Collaborative Agreement. It establishes public baselines for Oregon’s child welfare system, names current gaps and documents progress made to date toward child and family well-being.

The baseline report provides families, advocates, legislators and partners with information about how ODHS’ progress will be tracked over time. It includes actions already underway to address areas where improvement is needed.     

“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 2024 agreement between the state and plaintiffs A Better Childhood and Disability Rights Oregon identified key child welfare practice areas for improvement. The measures were established through a comprehensive child welfare system assessment by a court-appointed Neutral with national child welfare expertise.

Oregon is making real progress in key areas

The report highlights key improvements in outcomes for children and families. Behind each of these numbers is a family whose life went differently because the system worked:

• Fewer children are returning to foster care after reunification, with Oregon’s rate at 5.7%, which is almost meeting the 5.6% target.
• More families are receiving timely case plans. The case plan is a family's roadmap when working with the child welfare system. It tells them what they need to do, what help they will receive, and what the timeline looks like. The share of families receiving on-time plans has more than doubled since 2021, from 39.5% to 81%.
• More children are staying connected to family. Placement with relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles has nearly doubled since 2022, increasing from 18.8% to 36.1%
• Oregon is among only a handful of states meeting or exceeding all three federal standards for moving children from foster care to permanent families.

The report is also direct about where Oregon has more work to do and names actions underway to close the gaps.

Reducing maltreatment of children in foster care

Oregon’s maltreatment in care (MIC) rate for federal fiscal year 2025 was 24.7 incidents per 100,000 care days, compared to the target rate of 9.07. Every incident represents a child who deserved better. ODHS commissioned an independent statewide safety assessment and built a Safety Action Plan around its findings to drive that number down. The plan is now operational and includes:

• Monthly safety plan reviews for every child as well as mandatory monthly contacts between caseworkers and children.
• Adoption of updated tools that help workers assess and document safety decisions consistently.
• Expanded supports for resource families to reduce stress and improve placement stability.

The target rate of 9.07 is a federal standard based on an average of performance across all states. Several factors drive Oregon's MIC rate higher than other states’ rates. A 2024 analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center found that Oregon is the only state in the country that investigates reports involving individuals who have no caregiving responsibility for the child—a category other states refer to law enforcement. Oregon also applies broader definitions of maltreatment and uses a lower evidentiary threshold than other states. If Oregon calculated its rate similar to other states, its MIC baseline would be substantially closer to the 9.07 target. Because of the differences in how Oregon calculates its rate, comparing Oregon's MIC rate to those of other states provides limited insight into ODHS' policies and practices aimed at keeping children safe while in care.

Improving timely health assessments for children

When a child enters foster care, they are to receive a nursing assessment within 10 days and a medical assessment within 60 days. These assessments identify children's health needs and connect them to timely treatment and services. Currently, 75% of children receive timely medical assessments and 80.6% receive timely nursing assessments—both short of the 90% goal. The primary cause is that placement information is not always entered into the data system the day a child enters care, which can delay the entire assessment and referral chain. Oregon has put in place operational changes to address this, including a mandatory real-time documentation requirement, a new referral desk that routes placements to nursing staff immediately, and daily notifications to health plan partners so appointments are scheduled without delay. ODHS also is working with the Oregon Health Authority to improve education and technical assistance for coordinated care organizations (CCOs) and providers, who play an important role in ensuring children in foster care have receive timely physical, mental and dental health assessments.

ODHS is committed to transparency and accountability

Publishing this report twice a year ensures that families, advocates, and legislators can see both where the system is performing and where it must improve.

"Child welfare work happens during some of the hardest moments in a family's life, and the people we serve deserve a system that is transparent about where it stands and committed to improvement," Director Garcia said. “This report is an important part of how we demonstrate that commitment. We have more to do, and we will keep sharing our progress publicly as we work to get this right for every child in our care.”

Resources:

May 2026 ODHS Child Welfare Progress Report

May 2026 ODHS Child Welfare Progress Report Executive Summary

April 2026 Press release on Child and Family Services Review (CFSR)

CFSR Oregon Final Report

Child Welfare Federal Performance Measures Dashboard

ODHS to host media availability on first Wyatt B. v. Kotek progress report

What:

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will host a virtual media availability to discuss the first report under the Wyatt B. v. Kotek Collaborative Agreement.

The report marks an important step in Oregon’s work to improve child welfare outcomes. It establishes baseline measures across six key practice areas and tracks early progress. These baselines will be used to measure improvement over time through ongoing semi-annual reporting.

ODHS leadership will provide an overview of the report and answer questions from media.

Who:

• Rolanda Garcia, Interim Director, Child Welfare
• Lacey Andresen,  Deputy Director, Child Welfare

When:

Date: Friday May 1, 2026

Time: 11 a.m.

How to join:

This is a virtual event through Zoom. If you are able to attend, please register HERE to receive the link to join.

Public Notice And Request For Comment On Waiver Renewal Applications - 05/01/26

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) seeks public comment on two Medicaid waivers it plans to renew through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The waivers, which are set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, allow Oregon to modify standard Medicaid rules so people can receive the help they need at home or in the community.
 

Public comments are due by May 31, 2026, on the following waivers:

• 1915(c) Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver: Uses Medicaid funds for case management services, which help people connect to needed medical, long-term services and supports, and other services. It covers housing support services for those who need help with housing. Lastly, it covers community transition services that help people move from a hospital or care facility to a home where they can receive in-home care. For people whose income is too high for standard Medicaid, the 1915(c) waiver allows the state to provide Medicaid, including long-term services and supports, if they meet eligibility requirements.
   
• 1915(b)(4) Case Management and Agency with Choice Freedom of Choice Waiver: Allows APD to use Medicaid funds to contract with a limited set of approved providers for delivering the case management and housing support services that are part of the 1915(c) waiver. These approved providers are Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices, APD offices and willing Tribes. The waiver also allows APD to contract with up to two Agency with Choice providers.

Summary of updates

Proposed changes for the 1915(c) Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver:

• Case managers must document a person’s choice of services, service setting and service providers using a specific choice form.
   
• When someone is moving from an acute care hospital to any home and community-based setting, known as a community transition, it must be to an arrangement that is more independent and less restrictive.

Both waiver renewal applications include small changes to make the information clearer. Both also include updated cost estimates. These estimates explain how much the services are expected to cost and show that they continue to meet federal requirements. The 1915(c) includes an increase in users for case management services due to rising caseloads.
 

The draft waiver applications with proposed changes are available on the APD website. Print versions are posted in local APD and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices. To ask for a printed version, contact APD Medicaid State Plan and Waiver Policy Analyst at 503-856-2768 or Beth.Jackson3@odhs.oregon.gov.

How to submit feedback on the proposed changes

1. Send an email to Beth.Jackson3@odhs.oregon.gov.
    

2. Send written comments to Beth Jackson, Oregon Department of Human Services, 500 Summer Street NE E-02, Salem, OR 97301.
     

Comments must be received by May 31, 2026.
 

APD will review and consider all public comments as part of the renewal process. The program will prepare and submit the renewal applications to CMS by July 4, 2026. Following CMS approval, the waivers will be in effect Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2031.

Johns Hopkins Study: One-Time Cash Payments Have Potential To Prevent Youth Homelessness In Oregon - 04/30/26

Point Source Youth and the Oregon Department of Human Services will expand a successful cash support and homelessness prevention pilot program and focus it on youth who have experienced foster care

Salem, OR - April 30, 2026 - New and actionable research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that one-time direct cash payments help prevent youth homelessness. In a seven-state pilot of Point Source Youth’s (PSY) Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP), 92 percent of 345 participants did not need to enter the homelessness system within six months of receiving support.

PSY, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Connected Lane County partnered for Oregon’s initial pilot, which launched in 2024. The pilot supported communities in providing needs-based cash payments and other supports to young people. In its initial phase, Oregon enrolled 56 young people in Lane County, who were at imminent risk of homelessness. They also received financial and youth-driven supportive programming. Payments averaged $3,700 and were typically dispersed within 48 hours.

The Lane County pilot’s one-time cash assistance complemented an initiative – called Direct Cash Transfer (DCT+) – that provides 24 months of ongoing payments for young people who were actively experiencing homelessness at launch.

Building on the success of the initial pilot, PSY and ODHS are expanding the program so more young people can get help before a housing crisis results in homelessness. The expanded pilot includes partnering with Jackson Street Youth Services. It will focus on young people who have experienced foster care in the child welfare system and are stepping into independence. Eligible young adults from the ages of 18 to 23, who have experienced foster care and are at risk of homelessness, can be referred to Jackson Street Youth Services in areas throughout the state where services are provided.  As of March 2026, the pilot began identifying eligible youth and distributing funds. At least 60 youth will receive cash support. The ODHS pilot will also partner with researchers to track outcomes and learn from participants’ experiences over a six-month period.

This expansion follows promising results in Lane County with 82 percent of participants surveyed reporting that they were in stable housing after the first month.

“These findings suggest that quick, tailored cash assistance with supportive services can keep young people housed and out of shelters,” said Larry Cohen, co-founder and executive director of Point Source Youth.“Youth homelessness starts with a crisis and then becomes a long-term trauma because help arrives too late, if at all. That’s why we’re scaling this program immediately — expanding into 10 new communities and launching new sites to translate these findings into action to keep young people securely housed and to prevent them from experiencing homelessness — right now.”

Within ODHS, the expanded pilot is supported by several programs: Youth Transitions and Family First programs in Child Welfare and the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP) in Self-Sufficiency Programs.

“Our unique Targeted Housing Assistance Program pilot initiative fills a critical gap in our state’s systems to support young adults stepping into independence,” said Matthew Rasmussen, who manages ODHS’ Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP). “By collaborating, we can offer young people the stability and opportunities they need before they are forced to enter the homelessness system—while still honoring the work to support young people who are already experiencing it.”

The one-time cash benefit helps young people overcome the overwhelming number of hurdles they face just to secure and maintain a safe place to live, Rasmussen said. “We are greatly encouraged that we may be able to support as many as 60 additional young people across the state this year.”

Kendra Phillips, executive director of Jackson Street Youth Services, said, “We, at Jackson Street Youth Services, are honored to partner with Point Source Youth to bring the Targeted Housing Assistance Program to Oregon at a statewide scale. This model allows us to respond quickly and effectively to young people at risk of homelessness, providing the flexible support they need to stay safely housed and build stability. It represents a transformative step forward in how we prevent youth homelessness in our communities.”

In PSY’s initial seven-state pilot, 345 youth households across sites in Oregon, Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New York and Texas, impacted a total of 623 people, including household members and dependents. Unlike most housing and homelessness programs, this program provides crucial funds and support to youth who are at imminent risk of entering homelessness, including those who are asked to leave current housing, living in an unsafe situation or facing eviction.

Point Source Youth is also expanding pilots in California, Michigan and New York, and launching new sites in Hawai‘i, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Together these states will provide a total of $3 million in direct cash payments to an estimated 1,000 young people, allowing them to obtain help before their acute crisis leads to homelessness.

With initiatives that are delivered through community-based organizations, Point Source Youth trains staff working with participants to develop individualized housing plans before funds are distributed. Supportive services, including case management, financial coaching and housing navigation, are available but optional, preserving youth autonomy and reducing barriers to access. The program is modeled after Washington state’s Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund, which has reported strong housing outcomes at 12 months. 

Point Source Youth National Press Release: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60418acae851e139836c67ed/t/69f245b6eaa9547394c6903c/1777485238940/PSY_7-STATE-PRESS-RELEASE.pdf

About the Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP): https://www.pointsourceyouth.org/oregon-thap-direct-cash-to-prevent-youth-homelessness.

  About Point Source Youth

Point Source Youth is a national organization working to prevent and end youth homelessness in the U.S. Point Source Youth provides thought leadership, advocacy, technical assistance, and evaluation to scale proven interventions that can cost effectively prevent youth homelessness in the first place or provide young people with the resources they need for stable housing if they are experiencing homelessness. After 10 years of work in the field, Targeted Housing Assistance and Direct Cash Transfers, both with youth-directed support, are the interventions that are cost-effective, scalable and work. To learn more, visit https://www.pointsourceyouth.org/  

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) works to help Oregonians achieve well-being and independence. The agency provides direct services to more than one million Oregonians a year. The Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP) Foster Youth Pilot is supported by three programs within ODHS: Self Sufficiency Programs’ Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program and Child Welfare’s Youth Transitions and Family First teams.

About Jackson Street Youth Services
Jackson Street Youth Services is a nonprofit organization based in Corvallis, Oregon -- serving Linn and Benton counties, dedicated to   supporting youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Since 2001 (celebrating 25 years!), Jackson Street has provided a continuum of care including emergency shelter, transitional living, outreach and prevention services. Through trauma-informed, youth-centered programming, the organization empowers young people to build stability, develop life skills and achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Jackson Street works in partnership with community organizations to ensure every young person has access to safe housing, education and supportive services.  

# # #

Missing Child Alert – Wesley Vaughn Chace Hugmeyer Is Missing And Is Believed To Be In Danger (Photo) - 04/23/26

Polk County – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Wesley Vaughn Chace Hugmeyer, age 15, who went missing from Dallas on April 22. They are believed to be in danger. 

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Wesley Chace Hugmeyer and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see Wesley. 

Wesley Chace Hugmeyer is suspected to be in Dallas area. 

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child. 

Report suspected child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. 

Child Legal Name: Wesley Vaughn Chace Hugmeyer 

Child Preferred Name: Wesley or Wes

Pronouns: He/Him

Age: 15

Height: 5-foot-8

Weight: 135

Hair color: Brown

Eye color: Brown

Specific Identifying Characteristics: Shoulder length hair

Polk County Sherrif Office Case #DAS265079

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #2085313

Date Missing: 4/22/2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): Dallas, Oregon

CORRECTION: ODHS Shares How Oregonians Can Regain SNAP Benefits As Impacts Of Federal Work Rule Changes Begin To Show - 04/22/26

ODHS shares how Oregonians can regain SNAP benefits as impacts of federal work rule changes begin to show

CORRECTION:

This news release has been corrected to reflect the accurate numbers of cases and individuals impacted in March and April. We apologize for the confusion.

In late March, 13,399 cases closed, affecting 13,898 individual SNAP recipients, after people did not meet work rules or qualify for an exemption. Those cases include 13,898 individual SNAP recipients. As a result, they did not receive April benefits.

The initial news release said that 13,898 cases closed at the end of March.

In April, 6,948 additional cases are at risk of closing at the end of the month, affecting 6,948 individual SNAP recipients.

Note: Most, but not all, individuals with ABAWD status are on single-person SNAP cases, so the number of cases and individuals may differ.

Salem, Ore. — As the impacts of recent federally-directed changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work rules begin to show in Oregon, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is sharing information to help people who have lost benefits, or may lose them soon, understand how they may be able to get them back.

The federal bill HR1 significantly expanded SNAP work rules, increasing the number of Oregonians subject to time limits. More adults must now meet SNAP work rules to continue receiving benefits. People who do not meet these rules and do not qualify for an exemption can only receive SNAP for three months within a three-year period. These are called countable months.

“SNAP plays a critical role in Oregon, helping 757,700 people, or one in six Oregonians, put food on the table,” said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, ODHS SNAP Director. “In some communities, particularly in rural areas, people may not have easy access to jobs, training, transportation, or WorkSource offices, making it harder to meet work rules and increasing the risk of losing reliable access to food.”

Many households receiving SNAP have very low incomes, with 35 percent at or below half of the federal poverty level which is $15,960 per year for a single individual. ODHS has been working to connect with people before benefits stop. Of the approximately 20,000 people who were notified in March that their benefits would close, about 6,000 connected with ODHS and were able to either qualify for an exemption or meet work rules to keep their benefits. In late March, 13,399 cases closed, affecting 13,898 individual SNAP recipients, after people did not meet work rules or qualify for an exemption. Those cases include 13,898 individual SNAP recipients. As a result, they did not receive April benefits.

In April, 6,948 additional cases are at risk of closing at the end of the month, affecting 6,948 individual SNAP recipients. Additional individuals are at risk of losing benefits in upcoming months as more people reach time limits.

ODHS is encouraging people to reach out as soon as possible if they have questions about their benefits or work rules. Many people may not realize they can regain SNAP after benefits stop, or may not know the steps to take.

If someone has used their three countable months and lost SNAP benefits, there are several ways they may be able to regain eligibility.

People may qualify again if they meet work rules. This usually means completing about 80 hours of approved activities each month. These activities may include paid work, searching for a job, training programs or volunteering. If someone meets the required hours for at least 30 days, they may qualify for SNAP again.

People may also regain SNAP if they qualify for an exemption. Exemptions are based on a person’s situation and may include health conditions, caregiving responsibilities or other life circumstances. Some activities, such as receiving unemployment benefits or taking part in certain programs, may also count toward meeting rules.

In some cases, changes in a person’s situation may affect whether time limits apply. This may include changes in the household or where someone lives.

“If your SNAP benefits have stopped, contact us right away,” said Hoffman. “Benefits do not restart automatically, but we can review your situation and help you understand your next steps.”

Even after benefits stop, support is still available. ODHS and the Oregon Employment Department can help people connect to employment and training services and work toward regaining eligibility.

ODHS encourages anyone who has questions about their SNAP benefits or work rules to reach out as soon as possible. Contacting ODHS early may help people keep or regain their benefits.

For full details about SNAP work rules, exemptions and how to report activities, visit:

• English: Oregon.gov/snapworkrules
• Spanish: Oregon.gov/odhs/es/alimentos/Pages/limites-tiempo

People can also contact the ODHS ABAWD team:

• Call: 1-833-947-1694
• Email: SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov

For more information about SNAP benefits:

• Online: benefits.oregon.gov
• Call: 1-800-699-9075

Missing Child Alert – Logan Anthony Divens Is Missing And Is Believed To Be In Danger (Photo) - 04/16/26

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Logan Divens, age 15, who went missing from Eugene, Oregon on January 26, 2026. He is believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Logan Divens and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see him.

Logan Divens is suspected to be in the Eugene area.

Child Legal Name: Logan Divens

Child Preferred Name: Logan

Pronouns: He/him

Age: 15

Height: 5’7

Weight: 235

Hair color: Dark Blonde

Eye color: Blue

Law enforcement agency name and report #:  Eugene PD #26-01400

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2076121

Date Missing: 1/26/2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): Pheasant Park Apartments in Springfield

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report suspected child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.