ODHS Child Welfare Sees Results From Focus On Relative Caregiver Certification And Retention - 09/14/26

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) published its second quarter 2026 report on work under way to improve Child Welfare programs.

The report shows continued success in placing children entering care with relatives and retaining relative caregivers.

In three of the past seven months, ODHS exceeded the national average for initial relative placement. Relative placements reached 40.6% in February, 44.5% in May and 41.3% in July. The national average is 39%.

Research shows that children do best when they can remain with people they know and trust. Placing children with relatives as soon as possible when they enter care improves outcomes for children and can make reunification with parents easier.

Relative placement is just one priority area included in the quarterly report. Other measures are focused on ensuring safety and supporting families to prevent child maltreatment; improving services and results for children in foster care; ensuring a well-supported workforce and enhancing the program’s infrastructure to better serve Oregonians; and using data for accountability and to support continuous quality improvement.

“Stability is critical for children who have experienced trauma,” Child Welfare Interim Director Rolanda Garcia said. “We are focused on improving the way we serve relative caregivers so children can stay connected to family.”

ODHS launched a simplified certification for relatives in August 2025 to streamline the process of becoming a resource parent.

ODHS also has focused on improving resource parent retention by creating a strong support network of community partners, respite care providers and staff trainings focused on customer service. Partnerships with community agencies are particularly important for supporting relatives who may be caring for multiple grandchildren during retirement.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote relative placements, Child Welfare will highlight the importance of keeping children connected to extended family during September’s Kinship Care Month.

Resources

Read the ODHS Child Welfare 2026 Q2 Progress Report

See all ODHS Child Welfare progress and data reports

Learn about becoming a resource (foster) parent

UPDATE: Oregon Department Of Human Services Announces That Dakota Simone Williams Was Located On 08/27/26 - 08/27/26

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

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

Report suspected 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.

Missing Child Alert – Dakota Simone Williams Is Missing And Is Believed To Be In Danger (Photo) - 08/26/26

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Dakota Simone Williams, age about two months old, who went missing from the Findley Apartments at 3440 SE 54^th Ave. in Portland on 08/20/2026. They are believed to be in danger.

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

Child reported as Dakota Simone Williams is suspected to be in the Findley Apartments, the area between Division St. and Powell Blvd. and 43^rd Ave and 60^th Ave. and Creston Park.

ODHS believes the child is with the mother. A photo of the mother is attached

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

Due to privacy and confidentiality laws (ORS 409.225 and 419B.035) the Oregon Department of Human Services is unable to provide additional details.

Report suspected 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.

• Child Legal Name: Reported as Dakota Simone Williams
• Child Preferred Name: Dakota
• Pronouns*: Reported female
• Age: About 2 months old
• Height: Unknown
• Weight: Unknown
• Hair color: Unknown
• Eye color: Unknown
• Specific Identifying Characteristics: White, about two months old
• Law enforcement agency name and report #: Portland Police #26-249427
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2099436
• Date Missing: 08/20/2026
• Suspected and/or frequented location(s):
  • Findley Apartments 3440 SE 54^th Ave., Portland, OR 97206
  • Creston Park
  • Area between 43^rd and 60^th Ave’s between SE Powell Blvd and SE Division St.

Many Oregonians May Qualify For SNAP Work Or Activity Rule Exemptions Without Realizing It - 08/19/26

Media resources

Instead of conducting individual interviews for this announcement, ODHS will host a virtual media availability on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 1:20 p.m. Members of the media will have an opportunity to ask questions about SNAP work or activity rules and exemptions. RSVP for the media availability by emailing Sara Campos at sara.k.campos@odhs.oregon.gov.

A recording of the media availability will be available after the event: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12330638

A Spanish-language video summarizing the key messages will also be available on Vimeo. Spanish-language media may request interviews or submit questions in Spanish by contacting Adriana Taylor at Irma.A.Taylor@odhs.oregon.gov.

Many Oregonians may qualify for SNAP work or activity rule exemptions without realizing it

Salem, Ore. — Many Oregonians who are required to meet SNAP work or activity rules may qualify for an exemption based on their health, work, education, caregiving responsibilities or other circumstances. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging people to contact the agency so staff can review their situation and help them keep the food benefits they qualify for.

Currently, 93% of Oregonians subject to SNAP work or activity rules qualify for an exemption.

“A change in your life can change whether SNAP work or activity rules apply to you,” said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, ODHS SNAP Director. “You may have started caring for someone, experienced a health change or begun a new job or training program. Contact us before assuming you have to meet the requirements. We’ll listen, explain your options and help you take the next step.”

Common reasons someone may qualify for an exemption

Depending on their circumstances, people may qualify for an exemption if they are:

• Pregnant.
• Physically or mentally unable to work.
• Already working enough hours to meet the requirement.
• Participating in a qualifying education or training program.
• Move to an exempt county or waived Tribal land.
• Responsible for caring for a child or another person, depending on their circumstances.

Report changes as soon as possible

Life circumstances change. If you've started a new job, become pregnant, experienced a change in your health or your household responsibilities have changed, contact ODHS as soon as possible. Those changes may mean you now qualify for an exemption.

People who think they may qualify for an exemption can also complete the Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form. The form can help identify whether someone may qualify for an exemption and report volunteer hours, work activities or other qualifying information to ODHS.

How ODHS can help

People who contact ODHS may:

• Review their individual circumstances to determine whether an exemption applies.
• Learn what documentation may be needed.
• Report changes in work, volunteer activities or household circumstances.
• Complete the Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form.
• Connect with WorkSource Oregon and other employment and training resources if they need to meet the work or activity requirements.

About SNAP work or activity rules

As of July 2025, federal changes expanded SNAP work or activity rules, increasing the number of Oregonians who need to meet these requirements to continue receiving food benefits.

Adults ages 18 to 64 without a child under age 14 in their SNAP household generally need to complete 80 hours of work or qualifying activities each month unless they qualify for an exemption or live in a waived area.

If someone does not meet the requirements and does not qualify for an exemption, ODHS sends a counting month notice. Anyone who receives one of these notices is encouraged to contact the SNAP Work or Activity Rules Team to discuss their options.

Learn more

For more information about SNAP work or activity rules and exemptions:

• English: Oregon.gov/snapworkrules
• Spanish: Oregon.gov/snapnormastrabajo

ODHS SNAP Work or Activity Rules (ABAWD) Team

• Call: 1-833-947-1694
• Email: SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov