DHS Community Forums will include child care for current foster parents
DHS is hosting a series of community forums across the state this winter. Forums are planned for Bend (1/3), Oregon City (1/16), Beaverton (1/18), Roseburg (1/24), Klamath Falls (1/25), and La Grande (2/1). Child care for current foster parents will be provided, but they are requested to ask for child care when they RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us.
Here's your chance to bring your stories of success and concern to the attention of those who have the power to change things. There will be two special sessions prior to the forum – one for foster youth and another for foster and adoptive parents.
Current and former foster youth are invited to meet the state Foster Care Ombudsman and the brand-new Foster Care Policy and Community Liaison- a new position tasked with bring the voices of foster youth to the table. At this session youth will learn how to leverage their voices to effect change.
Current and former foster and adoptive parents are invited to an informal networking hour with other foster and adoptive parents.
At the forums, you will get a chance to meet with Child Welfare Director Marilyn Jones, and DHS's Director, Fariborz Pakseresht. During the forums, they will share current updates on the vision, mission and goals and then discuss the Child Welfare Action Plan.
The plan is an alignment of all the improvement work underway through the Child and Family Safety Review (CFSR), Public Knowledge Report and the Program Improvement Plan (PIP). The opening panel and brief updates by DHS leadership will be followed by in-depth roundtable discussions by all participants/attendees.
The evening will end with networking time and the opportunity to ask questions DHS leadership and staff.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing: child.safety@state.or.us and use the name of the city in your subject line. For child care, language services or other accomodations, please indicate your request in your RSVP at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
If you have questions, you may contact Pamela Heisler, Public Engagement Project Manager at: Pamela.L.Heisler@state.or.us or call at 503-910-7422.
Save the date for the forum nearest you!
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
BEND:
Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR
4:15pm-5:15pm- Current and former foster youth session/Current and former foster parent networking
5:30pm-8:00pm- Community Forum
Please RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us – Use subject line BEND
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
OREGON CITY:
Oregon Department of Human Services, 315 S Beavercreek Rd, Oregon City, OR
3:30pm-4:30pm- Current and former foster youth session/Current and former foster parent networking
4:30pm-6:30pm- Community Forum
Please RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us – Use subject line OREGON CITY
Thursday, January 18, 2018
BEAVERTON:
Oregon Department of Human Services, 15425 NW Greenbrier Pkwy, Beaverton, OR
3:30pm-4:30pm- Current and former foster youth session/Current and former foster parent networking
4:30pm-6:30pm- Community Forum
Please RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us – Use subject line BEAVERTON
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
ROSEBURG:
Oregon Department of Human Services, 738 W. Harvard Ave SE, Rm 120, Roseburg, OR
4:15pm-5:15pm- Current and former foster youth session/Current and former foster parent networking
5:30pm-8:00pm- Community Forum
Please RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us – Use subject line ROSEBURG
Thursday, January 25, 2018
KLAMATH FALLS:
Oregon Department of Human Services, 700 Klamath Ave, Suite 500, Klamath Falls, OR
4:15pm-5:15pm- Current and former foster youth session/Current and former foster parent networking
5:30pm-8:00pm- Community Forum
Please RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us – Use subject line KLAMATH FALLS
Thursday, February 1, 2018
LA GRANDE:
Integrated Services Building, 1607 Gekeler Lane, La Grande, OR
4:00pm-5:00pm- Current and former foster youth session/Current and former foster parent networking
5:30pm-8:00pm- Community Forum
Please RSVP to child.safety@state.or.us – Use subject line LA GRANDE