Child Welfare

State lawmakers didn't pass a signature transportation package but they did tackle other topics.

In a rare legislative move Wednesday, the state Senate voted to override one of Gov. Tina Kotek’s vetoes and re-approve a measure aiming to protect the rights of children placed in the state’s custody.

In the past several months, there have been several allegations of misconduct at Oregon Youth Authority and a handful of civil lawsuits filed. The allegations gained momentum after revelations that a backlog of complaints existed at the youth authority.

She was a foster kid sent out of state. Now, she reflects on lawmakers changing the law to allow other children to be sent across state lines.

Philip Martinez, LCC’s Dean of Social Science, said rising enrollment of Spanish-speaking students is increasing demand for Spanish-language child care, leading to efforts to expand and professionalize those services.

Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner announced on Tuesday that she was resigning after two years leading Oregon’s beleaguered child-welfare system.

Food advocates and parents went to Salem Wednesday to urge state lawmakers to pass a bill that would extend food assistance benefits to children who are often denied because of their immigration status.

A bill moved out of the Oregon state Senate and onto the House for final approval.

Over 27 years, Oregon students working with Schnitzer Cares: Student Grantmaking have given out over $5 million to more than 560 nonprofit organizations and school programs.

“This is devastating,” said Vanessa Gutierrez, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project’s deputy director. “We’ve had to stop taking new cases. We don’t know how many kids and young adults now have no legal help.”