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ODHS News Releases

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2021 News Releases​

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9/24/2021Public input sought on updated plan to expand Oregon Project Independence, create Family Caregiver Assistance Program
SALEM, Ore. ̶ The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is seeking public input by Oct. 24, 2021, on its updated plan to apply for Medicaid funding to expand Oregon Project Independence and create a Family Caregiver Assistance Program. Both programs serve older adults and people with disabilities.
9/23/2021Oregon to host Statewide Symposium on Youth Experiencing Homelessness Programming
(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will host the Statewide Symposium on Youth Experiencing  Homelessness Programming conference on Oct. 29, 2021.
9/23/2021National Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds people of the power of inclusion in America’s new economy
Salem, OR – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year, more than ever, as employers have shuttered doors or moved to remote work, people with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted. Their loss of employment was at a higher rate than their peers without disabilities.
9/15/202160% of LGBTQ+ older adults experienced discrimination in the past year, study says
Salem, OR ̶ Nearly 60% of older adults ̶who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two Spirit and non-binary as well as sexual or gender diverse (LGBTQ+) ̶report experiencing discrimination within the past year and 24% experienced abuse. Of those who experienced abuse, 76% did not report it, according to a study commissioned by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
9/10/2021Oregon LGBTQ+ Older Adult Survey results announced Sept. 14
Salem, OR ̶ The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) on Sept. 14 will share results from a survey of adults age 55 and older who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two Spirit and non-binary as well as sexual or gender diverse (LGBTQ+) to provide detailed feedback on the needs and supports of Oregon’s LGBTQ+ older adults. Survey participants were also asked to highlight strengths within the state’s various LGBTQ+ communities.
9/9/2021ODHS expands COVID-19 Recovery Unit network statewide
SALEM, OR ̶ The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) expanded its network of COVID-19 Recovery Units to eight long-term care facilities statewide to ensure Oregonians have access to care with the spread of the Delta variant.
9/1/2021Input sought by Oct. 1 on Medicaid waivers for Oregonians receiving long-term services and supports
Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will be submitting two Medicaid waiver application renewal requests to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and seeks input on these applications from the public by Oct. 1, 2021. The waivers, which will be submitted by the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities through the Oregon Health Authority, serve individuals who meet Oregon’s nursing facility level of care and Medicaid eligibility criteria.
9/1/2021Oregon approved to issue an additional $167 million in Pandemic EBT food assistance to 430,000 children
(Salem) – The State of Oregon received approval from the federal government to expand the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program and provide an additional $167 million in food assistance to approximately 430,000 children in Oregon.
8/23/2021Increased emergency SNAP benefits continue in September
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in September. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020. This gives SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
8/11/2021Disaster Case Management Program contract awarded for individual assistance for communities hard hit by September 2020 wildfires
(Salem, Ore.) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has awarded The Disaster Services Corporation – Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA the contract for ODHS’s Disaster Case Management Program; this program provides funding and assistance to help survivors of the September 2020 wildfires connect with services and resources to support them on their path to full recovery.
8/11/2021Adjudicación de contrato del Programa de Manejo de Casos de Desastres para ayuda a personas en comunidades gravemente afectadas por los incendios forestales de septiembre de 2020
(Salem, Ore.) – El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (Oregon Department of Human Services, ODHS) ha adjudicado a Disaster Services Corporation – Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA el contrato del Programa de Manejo de Casos de Desastres del ODHS; este programa proporciona fondos y asistencia para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de los incendios forestales de septiembre de 2020 a conectarse con servicios y recursos de apoyo para transitar el camino a la recuperación completa.
7/26/2021Increased emergency SNAP benefits continue in August
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in August.
7/16/2021Public notice and request for comment on 1915 (c) #0375 adult waiver amendment
(Salem, Ore.) -- The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services is seeking public comment regarding the 1915 (c) # 0375 Adults’ Waiver amendment.
7/16/2021Oregon will begin issuing Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits beginning on July 22
(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will begin issuing Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits on July 22.
7/15/2021Cash, grants available for teens and young adults who have experienced foster care
(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), child Welfare Division is announcing $2 million of emergency cash assistance available for some teens and young adults who experienced foster care.
7/15/2021Public input sought on plan to expand Oregon Project Independence, create Family Caregiver Assistance Program
SALEM, Ore. ̶ The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is seeking public input by August 15, 2021, on its plan to apply for Medicaid funding to expand Oregon Project Independence and create a Family Caregiver Assistance Program. Both programs serve older adults and people with disabilities.
7/6/2021Increased emergency SNAP benefits continue in July
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in July. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020, to give SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
7/2/2021New Legislation Strengthens Oregon’s Commitment to Working with Tribal Nations to Preserve Tribal Families
(Salem) – Changes approved by the 2021 Oregon Legislature will further efforts between Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Division and Tribal Nations to protect and preserve Tribal families. Senate Bill 562A enhances Oregon’s historic 2020 Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act
6/30/2021Comments sought by Aug. 1 on Medicaid waivers for Oregonians receiving long-term services and supports
SALEM, Ore. ̶The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will be submitting two Medicaid waiver application renewal requests to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval and seeks input on these applications from the public by Aug. 1, 2021. Both waivers, which will be submitted by the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD), serve individuals who meet Oregon’s nursing facility level of care criteria and meet Medicaid eligibility criteria.
6/29/2021Oregon SNAP recipients who lost food due to power outages may be eligible for replacement benefits
(Salem) – Oregonians who lost food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to power outages are encouraged to apply for replacement benefits with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
6/24/2021Disability rights activist Judy Heumann kicks off webinar series in recognition of ADA anniversary
(Salem, Ore.) — Disability rights activist Judy Heumann, recently featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary “Crip Camp,” on July 6 will kick off a series of weekly Lunch and Learn webinar sessions in recognition of the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
6/7/2021Public notice and request for comment on 1915 (c) #0375, #0117, #0565, #40193, and #40194 waiver amendments.
(Salem, Ore.) -- The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services is seeking public comment regarding the 1915 (c) # 0375 Adults’ Waiver #0117 Children’s Waiver, #0565 Medically Involved Children’s waiver, #40193 Medically Fragile Model waiver, #40194 Behavioral Model waiver amendments.
6/1/2021Comments sought on draft State Plan on Aging by June 28
Oregon’s draft State Plan on Aging for 2021-2023 - which shapes how older adults, people with disabilities and family care providers are served - is available for review. The public is asked to provide comments on the plan to the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) by 5 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2021.
5/27/2021Emergency Allotments will continue in June for SNAP recipients
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in June.
5/25/2021Statewide survey aims to improve services for LGBTQ+ older adults
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) wants to hear from adults age 55 and older who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two Spirit and non-binary as well as sexual or gender diverse (LGBTQ+) to determine if services that support health and well-being are meeting their needs.
5/11/2021Oregon approved to issue more than $550 million in food assistance to 572,000 children
(Salem) – The State of Oregon issue Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for the 2020 - 2021 school year. This will provide more than $550 million in food assistance for approximately 572,000 children in Oregon.
5/3/2021Foster Care Month highlights how foster care can strengthen the whole family
(Salem) – Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed May 2021 to be Foster Care Month in Oregon.
4/30/2021Federal changes increase Emergency SNAP Benefits for many households, eliminate them for some
(Salem) – Most Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive emergency allotments in May. The federal government has approved emergency allotments every month since March 2020, to give SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4/28/2021Honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month by Celebrating our Partnerships
(Salem, Ore.) – As we wrap up Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division wants to honor the important work being done across the state to prevent child abuse.
4/22/2021ODHS sponsors 350 spots at upcoming National Conference for Rural Youth Homelessness Solutions
ODHS is sponsoring 350 spots in Oregon to join the First Annual Rural Conference on Youth Homelessness. Point Source Youth is hosting the conference. Point Source Youth is a leading national partner in advocacy, technical assistance, and research and evaluation pertaining to youth experiencing homelessness.
4/9/2021Youth Experiencing Homelessness Will Benefit from Investments in Youth Voice and Service Expansion Opportunities
Organizations serving Oregon youth experiencing homelessness are getting an infusion of over $1 million in order to maintain service delivery during the pandemic, expand capacity to serve more areas of the state, and better incorporate youth voice in their programs. The funds are made available by federal COVID-19 relief funds and state relief spending and were recently approved by the Oregon Legislature.
4/8/2021Some SNAP recipients may see an increase in benefits in April
In April, some SNAP households will see a change to their benefit amount for emergency allotments (EA). The federal government has provided emergency allotments since March 2020, to give SNAP recipients additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. SNAP households have received EA in an amount equal to the maximum benefit for the household size, minus their monthly base benefit. But this means households that are at or near the maximum SNAP benefit were receiving little or no additional support.
4/1/2021Funding reform in foster care helps shift focus to prevention
(Salem, OR)-  The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division Family First Prevention Services plan, also referred to as Title IV-E, was approved today by the Federal Children’s Bureau and allows the state to provide more supports and services to children and families before foster care becomes necessary.
3/23/2021Expanded Federal Pandemic Relief Aid Announced for Young People who Experienced Foster Care in Oregon
(Salem, OR)- Today, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Office on Student Access and Completion (OSAC) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Division are pleased to announce expanded funds to support progress toward postsecondary education goals for young people who are experiencing or experienced foster care at age 14 or older and who are not yet 27.
3/11/2021State Honors Child Welfare Workforce During Social Work Month
(Salem, Ore.) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division is celebrating National Social Work Month in March. Social work is inherent in the work done by the Child Welfare Division and other areas at ODHS, which annually help 1.5 million Oregon residents through all stages of life.
3/1/2021Asistencia personalizada para las comunidades más afectadas por los incendios forestales de septiembre
(Salem, Oregon) -- El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (ODHS, por sus siglas en inglés) ha recibido una subvención de $6.3 millones de la Agencia Federal de Gestión de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) para un programa de gestión de casos de desastre.
3/1/2021One-on-one assistance coming to communities hard hit by September wildfires
(Salem, Ore.) -- The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has been awarded a $6.3 million grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a disaster case management program.
2/26/2021Emergency Allotments for SNAP Recipients Continue in March
Oregon has requested and been approved to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments for the month of March 2021.
2/23/2021Deadline extended for SNAP recipients to request food replacement
SNAP recipients living in one of the nine counties below who experienced food loss or had to destroy food due to the recent power outages can apply for replacement food benefits. Replacement benefits are available for regular and emergency SNAP allotments.
2/16/2021SNAP recipients may request food replacement due to recent power outages
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is able to replace food purchased with SNAP benefits if there was a loss of food due to the recent power outages.
2/16/2021SNAP News Release 2021-0216 SP.pdf
Personas que reciben beneficios de comida del programa SNAP pueden solicitar reemplazo de alimentos que fueron dañados si se encuentran en áreas afectadas por la interrupción en el servicio de electricidad.
2/11/2021Beneficios adicionales de asistencia alimentaria disponibles durante el mes de febrero
El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon continuará ofreciendo más beneficios alimentarios durante el mes de febrero de 2021, para ayudar a los residentes de Oregon que están experimentando dificultades como resultado de la pandemia del COVID-19.
2/11/2021Office closures due to inclement weather
Two offices operated by Multnomah County Aging & Disability Services closed today at noon due to inclement weather.
2/10/2021CORRECTED - Additional Food Assistance Benefits Available through February
This press release is a corrected version of a February 1, 2021 press release that included an incorrect date for benefits availability. SNAP benefits will be available on February 11, 2021.
2/8/2021Financial exploitation costly still difficult to prove new ODHS study shows.pdf
Salem, OR — Family members, or those in a close, trusted relationship, are responsible for nearly half of substantiated financial exploitation cases of older adults in Oregon and the success of all investigations often depends on access to records and involvement of law enforcement, according to a study by the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Aging and People with Disabilities.
2/1/2021Additional Food Assistance Benefits Available through February
The Oregon Department of Human Services will continue to offer increased food benefits in February 2021, to help Oregonians struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1/28/2021Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day is January 29 -- See if you qualify for up to $6,660
Salem, Ore. — As the 15th anniversary of the Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day approaches on January 29, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon
Department of Revenue are encouraging all workers with income in 2020 to check their Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility.
1/28/2021What to Know About Trafficking During Trafficking Awareness Month
January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month. In commemoration, Rebecca Jones Gaston, Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, wants to remind Oregonians of the opportunities they have to make an impact in the lives of children affected by the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), one form of human trafficking. 
1/27/2021Online benefits application system unavailable this weekend while upgrades are made
Salem, OR – The state’s online application systems for medical, food, cash and childcare benefits will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28 until Monday, Feb. 1, at 7 a.m. This downtime is to support an upgrade to the state’s eligibility determination system, known as ONE, to add more benefit options and expand the system to more Oregonians.
1/27/2021Oregon ends 2020 with the lowest number of children in foster care in 15 years
(Salem) – Despite the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic and historic wildfires, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division was able to reduce the use of foster care to a historic low, return all children placed at out-of-state residential treatment facilities to Oregon and decrease the use of temporary lodging.
1/25/2021New jobs website launches for growing developmental disabilities field
The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services launched a website, ImpactOregon.careers, focused on available positions in the developmental disabilities field throughout Oregon.
1/15/2021Public notice and request for comment on 1915 (k) K Plan amendment
The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and Office of Aging and People with Disabilities are seeking public comment regarding the 1915 (k) state plan amendment.
1/13/2021Stimulus payments are coming: Don’t throw out the Earned Income Payment debit card
The U.S. Treasury has begun issuing its second round of stimulus payments. People who don't receive a direct deposit by early January should look for either a check from IRS or Economic Impact Payment (EIP) debit card in the mail. People will not necessarily be paid the same way they received their first stimulus payment.
1/7/2021Additional Food Assistance Benefits Available through January
Salem, OR - The Oregon Department of Human Services will continue to offer increased food benefits in January 2021, to help Oregonians struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1/7/2021Beneficios adicionales de asistencia alimentaria disponibles durante el mes de enero
El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon continuará ofreciendo más beneficios de alimentos durante el mes de enero de 2021 para ayudar a los residentes de Oregon que están experimentando dificultades económicas como resultado de la pandemia del COVID-19.



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