Foster.Oregon.gov

05/29/2026

Jessica and Elinor have been resource parents for almost seven years. They decided they wanted to get more involved after Jessica worked at a nonprofit serving youth in resource (foster) care.

“We have always been open to growing our family in non-traditional ways,” Jessica said. “Being a resource parent has challenged me to figure out, in the messy chaos of families, how can I show up for people who are having hard days?”

Their family includes a young adult who transitioned to independent living, three children and a three-year-old who lived with them while in resource care as an infant. She is now living with her father. Father and daughter join the family for holidays and stay connected.

“Opening our home to be of service to our community has been beneficial to our lives. It has made us more compassionate.”

Jessica encourages anyone interested to learn more. “If you feel the call to be a resource parent, the best thing you can do is start exploring that. Learn more! Take a training, become a respite provider. No one ever feels perfectly ready. It is not easy, but it is worth it."

Learn more at https://foster.oregon.gov

05/28/2026

Kids who were 6-18 years old during the 2025-26 school year and were in foster care automatically qualify for Summer EBT!

Summer EBT is back in Oregon!

Summer EBT helps families buy healthy groceries for kids while school is out for summer break. Each eligible child gets one $120 payment to their household's Oregon EBT card. We'll start issuing these payments on June 4, 2026 - so automatically eligible families will see the benefits on their cards by June 5.

Even if your family isn't automatically eligible, your child could still qualify! Applications open on June 5 at https://sebt.oregon.gov. And our Summer EBT Call Center will open for questions starting June 1.

Learn more about Summer EBT and who qualifies in this news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/summer-ebt-is-back-to-help-feed-oregon-children-during-summer-break

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Looking for training opportunities this June?

While we won’t be offering live-delivered Resource Parent Trainings this month, our on-demand training catalog is available 24/7 with a variety of topics for resource parents and caregivers.

Explore the catalog, learn at your own pace, and stay connected to valuable learning opportunities all summer long!

🔍Check out the Resource Parent Training Catalog:

05/18/2026

May is Foster Care Month - a time for us to thank everyone across the state who supports children and young adults experiencing foster care. This includes resource (foster) parents, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), caseworkers, respite providers and relatives who provide care and connection for children during a difficult time.

“Being a resource parent has challenged me and made me more compassionate. It has been beneficial to our lives to open our home to be of service to our community, and to be aware of what people are going through.” - Jessica Howell, Oregon Resource Parent

To learn more about foster care in Oregon and ways you can help, check out this news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODHS/Posts/Post/learn-about-ways-to-help-in-recognition-of-foster-care-month

05/13/2026

The Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon recently held a "Resource Parents are Superheroes" event where they welcomed resource families in for free in honor of National Foster Care Month! Families were invited to spend time playing and enjoying snacks. There was even a special guest appearance by Batman and Ironman!

Thank you to our community partners who helped make the day a success by donating food, supplies, and information about resources and support, including Walmart Pendleton, Safeway, Pendleton Bakery, Pendleton Public Library, and Hands & Feet INC. And thank you to Royalty: Parties and Events & Mad Fluff Cotton Candy for coordinating with Batman and Ironman to join us – we know their schedules are always busy while they save the world!

05/12/2026

A new residential program called Rosebud is now open in Portland, offering a fresh approach to supporting youth in foster care. For many older teens in Oregon’s child welfare system, the journey toward adulthood can feel uncertain. They often need more than a place to stay – they need dependable mental health support and practical guidance for independent living.

Until now, that combination has been hard to find. To help close this gap, Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare teamed up with New Narrative to create Rosebud, a program designed specifically with these young people in mind.

To learn more about the program, read our new blog: https://ow.ly/mrZq50YXSRw

05/12/2026

ODHS Youth Permanency Caseworker Kiana Bustamante and Teen Permanency Caseworker Sierra Dishon recently sat down with KATU News to talk about our partner, P48, and the awesome work they're doing for foster teens and youth. From essentials bags, to holiday drives, to their Life Skills Program, P48 is making a real difference for young people in ODHS care and their families. Check out their interview here: https://katu.com/amnw/am-northwest-lifestyle-health/project-48-helping-local-foster-youth