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Director's Message
November 5, 2004
To: DHS Employees
From: Gary Weeks, Director
Teens with nowhere to turn
While this time of year is often one where families revisit all they have to be thankful for, some 24,000 Oregon teens won't be among those reminiscing. These are the young people who have run away from home and are living on the streets. They leave their homes for many reasons. Some of these kids are known to our child welfare system, but the department has had no contact with the vast majority of them.
DHS has several programs that serve homeless youth - if they are abused, in foster care, can be adopted, or pregnant or parenting and in need of financial assistance. These programs are in child welfare and self sufficiency.
You'll be hearing more about these kids in the coming weeks, as the Oregon Homeless and Runaway Youth Work Group releases its report later this month. This will include recommendations on what more the state and private organizations can do on this issue.
Parental Support
Parents should also be held responsible for their children and it is our job to look for ways to support parents. Any of us who have raised children know that there are moments of great challenge. Having a good, supportive relationship with your children takes patience, understanding, and hard work.
But all kids, no matter their background or circumstances, need a nurturing environment, education, and other supports.
All of us can do more when it comes to troubled teens. We need to take more responsibility as concerned citizens, and as people working at a human services agency, to recommend resources to help families that are troubled - whether they are our services, faith-based, mental health, alcohol and drug or other programs. (See the DHS website for related information.)
While many of us may be celebrating our own families in coming weeks, take the time to reach out to someone who might not be as fortunate as you. Your attention could help a child who may feel he or she has no choice but to run.
New Leadership
With the elections behind us this week, we now know who the leaders are in this country and in the Oregon legislature for this upcoming legislative session.
We need to help our new legislative members understand our mission, our programs, and the different populations we serve. We will be working over the next few months to inform them about our budget, our programs, and our services.
While some may be disappointed in the results of the election, the people have spoken, choosing who they want to represent them in the coming year. We need to respect all of those choices. We may have different views on issues from time to time. But it is our responsibility to work cooperatively with every member of the legislature and to respect the positions they hold, as they represent the citizens of Oregon.
Food for thought
"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."
Chinese Proverb
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This message is intended for all Department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.
If you have a disability and need a document on this Web site to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us or call (503) 945-7021, fax (503) 373-7690 or TTY (503) 947-5080. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available.
Oregon Department of Human Services
Director's Office
500 Summer St. NE E15, Salem, OR 97301-1097
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-6214
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