Think Out Loud

Children in rural counties more likely to enter foster care, reporting shows

By Malya Fass (OPB)
Sept. 10, 2026 1 p.m.

Broadcast: Thursday, Sept. 10

Recent reporting from Investigate West shows that a disproportionate number of children in Oregon’s rural counties are more likely to enter the foster care system compared to those in urban areas.

The reporting notes that wider barriers to health and social services in rural counties are a likely cause of this disparity, according to providers and experts.

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Danielle Dawson is a collaborative investigative reporter and Report for America corps member at InvestigateWest. She joins us with more details.

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