ODHS Reaches Milestone In Improving Regulatory Oversight Of Long-term Care -07/28/25

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has reached a milestone in strengthening its unit that regulates long-term care.

As part of a broader strategy to improve safety, the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) in July began implementing recommendations from an independent consultant’s external assessment of its unit that oversees nursing, assisted living and residential care facilities as well as adult foster homes. 

The consultant’s report provides recommendations for how the unit can build a stronger foundation to support its regulatory work, which has grown in size and complexity in the past decade. It includes an overarching framework for processes to: realign staff with the workload; update practices for efficiency; clarify procedures for state and federal regulations; implement new legislation and provide ongoing training for staff. 

These changes will help address work backlogs and measure the unit’s performance in improving safety. 

As the unit strengthens its operations, APD will also incorporate the consultant’s recommendations into existing safety projects underway. These projects range from adopting a statewide protocol for responding to suspicious deaths in licensed long-term care to developing improved training tools to support staff in implementing regulatory changes. 

 
Independent consultant Alvarez and Marsal (A&M) conducted the external assessment and produced the Final Report for ODHS. 

“We are committed to continually improve what we do to ensure the safety of older adults and people with disabilities in Oregon,” said APD Director Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, Ph.D. “Our goal is to make changes that will continue to improve our operations today and will equip us to meet Oregonians’ needs in the future.” 

UPDATE - Oregon Department Of Human Services Announces That Brittan Arrington Has Been Found -07/28/25

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Brittan Arrington.

Brittan, age 13, is a child who went missing from Gresham on July 22. She was found on July 27.

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 when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report 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.

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UPDATE - Oregon Department Of Human Services Announces That The Three Children From The Bend Area Have Been Found (Photo) -07/27/25

CORRECTION: Missing Child Alert – Brittan Arrington Is Missing And Is Believed To Be In Danger (Photo) (Photo) -07/25/25

Correction note: This alert has been updated to clarify that Brittan is known to frequent 82^nd avenue in Portland and the city of Hillsboro.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Brittan Arrington, age 13, a child in foster care who went missing from Gresham on July 22. Brittan is believed to be in danger.

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

Brittan is known to frequent 82^nd avenue in Portland and the city of Hillsboro. 

Name: Brittan Arrington  
Pronouns: she/her
Date of birth: August 16, 2011
Height: 5-foot-4
Weight: 125 pounds
Eye color: Blue
Hair color: Blonde/dyed black

Other identifying information: nose piercing

Law Enforcement Agency Case # PG 25-29955
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2056772 

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 when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report 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.

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Oregon Department Of Human Services Midtown Child Welfare Division Returns To Where It Started 31 Years Ago (Photo) -07/24/25

Portland, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Human Services Midtown Child Welfare office is going back to its roots. The 90-person staff and district administration will return to the building where this Portland office first started 31 years ago – 815 N.E. Davis Street in the Lloyd District or Midtown area. The newly remodeled building will be open to the public Monday, August 4. Staff will move in August 1 – 3.

Earlier this year Child Welfare staff had to leave their office at 1425 N.E. Irving Street due to structural issues. They moved temporarily into the Portland State Office Building, 800 N.E. Oregon Street.

“Staff are excited about moving into the remodeled building. There will be more space, a visitation hub for the people we serve, space for community meetings and it will be a trauma informed design,” Marisa Moon, District Manager, said.  

Now staff members were consulted on what their needs what their needs were, and the needs were for children and families. The renovation used trauma-informed design, which creates physical spaces that promote healing, safety and well-being. The environment helps create calming and comfortable spaces that bring a sense of safety, control and dignity to the workforce, community partners, and children and families being supported in the branch. There will be natural light, calming colors and comfortable furniture and areas that allow for privacy in conversations.

The return to this building also shows the Child Welfare program’s intention to stay in the current community, which helps maintain existing partnerships and collaborations to support families. The new structure allows for community partners to use the space for events and meetings. The location maintains its proximity to the Alberta Branch where the Self-Sufficiency Program and the Oregon Eligibility Partnership will continue to offer services so that families that need them will be close to those other programs.  

“We hope that our staff, through this building, can continue to be part of this community, helping those who need assistance and services – for many more years to come,” Moon said.  

To contact the ODHS Child Welfare office at 815 NE Davis Street: 971-673-1800; midtown.reception@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

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UPDATE - Oregon Department Of Human Services Announces That Sahara Feldmiller Has Been Found -07/12/25

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Sahara Feldmiller.

Sahara, age 16, is a child who went missing from Oregon City on July 6. She was found on July 11.

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 when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report 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.

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Missing Child Alert – Sahara Feldmiller Is Missing And Is Believed To Be In Danger (Photo) (Photo) -07/11/25

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Sahara Feldmiller, age 16, a child in foster care who went missing from Oregon City on July 6. Sahara is believed to be in danger.

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

Sahara was last seen under the 205 Bridge at Marine Drive and is known to frequent Sandy, Oregon and Mt. Hood Area.

Name: Sahara Feldmiller  
Pronouns: she/her
Date of birth: October 16, 2008
Height: 5-foot-2
Weight: 98 pounds
Eye color: Blue
Hair color: Dark Blonde

Law Enforcement Agency Case #25-014218
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2055501 

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 when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report 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.

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Oregon Department Of Human Services Appoints George B. Lopez As Director Of The Office Of Tribal Affairs (Photo) -07/08/25

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is pleased to announce the appointment of George B. Lopez as the new Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs, effective July 7, 2025.
 

Lopez joins ODHS with extensive experience in tribal governance and community leadership. Most recently, he served as General Manager for the Klamath Tribes, where he led key administrative and community-based programs, managed a multimillion-dollar budget, and played a leading role in advancing tribal sovereignty and partnerships across education, public safety, and infrastructure development.
 

“This role is essential to ODHS’s continued collaboration with Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “George brings a deep commitment to Tribal communities and a strong track record of advocacy across Oregon. His experience will be a tremendous asset as we strengthen our government-to-government relationships. We’re excited to welcome him to the team and confident he’ll help advance our mission in meaningful ways.”
 

The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process and will ensure continuity in leadership and support for tribal engagement.
 

"I'm excited to take on this role and work with the Nine Tribes of Oregon, ODHS staff and leadership, and our partners at all levels," said George B. Lopez, incoming Director of the ODHS Office of Tribal Affairs. "I’m committed to building strong relationships and supporting efforts that make a real difference for Tribal children, families and elders across the state."
 

ODHS also extends its sincere thanks to Sherril Kuhns, who served as interim director. Her dedication to tribal affairs and leadership during this transition have made a lasting impact on the agency’s work with Tribal Nations.
 

For more information about the Office of Tribal Affairs and ODHS’s government-to-government work, visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs.

Media Contact:
ODHS Communications Office
ODHS-Media@odhs.oregon.gov
(503) 945-5600

Oregon Receives Approval To Extend The Time Allowed To Request SNAP Replacement Benefits Due To The June 2025 Wildfires In Wasco, Jefferson, And Deschutes Counties (Photo) -07/03/25

Oregon has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend the 10 day time period allowed to request replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost or destroyed due to the Rowena Fire (June 11, 2025) in Wasco County and the Alder Springs Fire (June 16, 2025) in Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

New deadline for SNAP replacement benefits

Households in the approved counties below now have until the following dates to report food losses and request replacement benefits:

• July 11, 2025, for impacted residents of Wasco County
• July 16, 2025, for impacted residents of Deschutes and Jefferson Counties

What about other counties?

For individuals who live in a county not listed above, the standard 10 day rule remains in effect. Replacement requests must be made within 10 days of the incident, and verification may be required.

How to request SNAP replacement benefits:

Individuals who experienced food losses due to the fires can submit a request for replacement benefits using one of the following methods:

• By phone: Call 1-800-699-9075 or 711 (TTY)
• In person: Visit a local office (find locations at: Oregon.gov)
• By Mail: (Requests must be received by the deadline)
• ONE Customer Service Center PO Box 14015 Salem, OR 97309
• By email: Send requests to Oregon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov
• Online: Submit requests via the ONE online portal

The information necessary to make a request is available in the form 347D: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/de0349d.pdf

When does the waiver end?

The waiver remains in effect until:

• July 11, 2025, for Wasco County
• July 16, 2025, for Deschutes and Jefferson Counties

After these dates, the standard 10-day reporting rule will apply.

About the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP provides monthly food benefits to help low-income households buy healthy food. If you qualify, the SNAP program allows individuals and families pay for groceries at authorized stores, learn about nutrition and get job training and support. For more information or to request SNAP replacement benefits, contact your local office or visit the Oregon SNAP benefit website or call 800-699-9075.