Welcome!
Hello, young people! Here are a couple of great contacts to help answer questions and resolve issues:
FosterClub's dedicated representative for Oregon is Ashlee: 503-717-1552, or email her. She can help you find resources to help you transition to adulthood and connect you to leadership opportunities.
For problems or complaints, contact Oregon's Ombudsman, Darin Mancuso, at 1-855-840-6036 or you can email him.
Meet FosterClub's Oregon Peer Navigators!
Get to know FosterClub's Oregon Peer Navigators working on the Oregon Pandemic Relief funds project at FosterClub, in partnership with the state of Oregon to get pandemic relief funds out to support young people who have experienced foster care.
COVID-19 making it difficult to make ends meet?
Financial assistance and support are available for youth with foster care experience ages of 14-26!
Emergency funding avaialble for:
- Housing
- Transporation
- Education
- Miscellaneous expenses
Apply today to see if you qualify! If you need assistance with the application, please contact FosterClub at 503-717-1552 for assistance.
Healthcare for Former Foster Youth (FFY).
Did you know that former foster youth have access to free Medicaid after they turn 18 until their 26th birthday? Qualification for FFY to access Medicaid is not dependant on employment or education status. Check out the #Healthcare FFY campaign for more information about this program!For more information, check out the Additional Resources for Teens, Young Adults, Foster Parents and Supporting Adults on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Oregon does not have a foster-specific application.
To apply, you will need to fill out the general Medicaid application for Oregon
Oregon does not have auto-coverage renewal.
In order to maintain your coverage, you will need to update your information annually.Each year, you should receive a paper form in the mail. Make sure to fill this form out and send it back. If you do not, you risk losing your coverage. You can also renew your coverage online. Be sure to report any changes of address to the Oregon Medicaid office to make sure that you receive these annual renewal forms!
Oregon does not have auto-enrollment.
This means that, if you are eligible for Medicaid til 26 in Oregon, you will need to complete a new application before you are able to receive health care coverage. However, if you are still in care, your caseworker is supposed to help you fill out the application as part of your transition plan. Be sure to ask your caseworker about Medicaid til 26 and what you need to do to get coverage!Oregon does not provide coverage to relocators.
This means that, if you were in care in another state and then moved to Oregon, you would not be eligible for Medicaid til 26. You may still be able to get health insurance through…- Your employer
- Your school
- Medicaid if you are eligible based on another category. This includes if you are pregnant or a parent or if you qualify based on your income. Check your state’s website for more information.
- Free or low-cost insurance from your state's Affordable Care Act marketplace.
BLOGS
Service Opportunity: Oregon Peer Navigators
By reyesdiana — Jun 17, 2021
Service Opportunity: Oregon Peer Navigators Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic created hardships across the world. Young people in/from foster care were especially impacted. With this in mind, the federal government... Read more
Webinar: Older Youth Pandemic Relief: State Spotlights- Implementation in Oregon
By dominiquefreeman — May 27, 2021
On May 26th, 2021, FosterClub and Youth Law Center hosted a state spotlight webinar with Child Welfare service providers and advocates focused on implementing the older youth provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. In this webinar, you... Read more
8 Tips for Getting through the Holidays
By APetite1 — Nov 24, 2020
Let's face it, the holidays can be tough for young people in foster care, and this year perhaps more so than ever. Young people in foster care may feel lonely because they are separated from family or friends, or anxious about being in a different... Read more
Oregon: Youth Like Me, Who Have Left Foster Care Without Family, Have What It Takes To Succeed, But We Can’t Do It Alone Especially Now
By jaleesasuell — Jul 9, 2020
I spent six years in foster care, and although difficult in many ways, that time during my youth gave me the resilience, passion and drive for the life I have now. I consider myself one of the foster care success stories. But, I can’t imagine if... Read more
FosterClub at Shoulder to Shoulder
By Ashlee — Oct 30, 2018
Ashlee Kauffunger, FosterClub's Oregon Outreach Coordinator and Ashley Foster-French, FosterClub's Training & Education Manager, along with Ellenor, attended the Shoulder to Shoulder in Portland, Oregon. FosterClub shared our... Read more
RESOURCES
Oregon: Foster Youth Rights
Visit WebsiteThe website link takes you to foster youth rights in foster care.Read more
Oregon: Foster Care Ombudsman
Visit WebsiteThe current foster care ombudsman in Oregon is named Darin Mancuso. You can call him with complaints and he will investigate. Anyone can call him, but he's generally a resource for foster youth and foster parents.Read more
Oregon Foster Youth Connection
Visit WebsiteThe mission of the Oregon Foster Youth Connection (OFYC) is to improve the foster care system through advocacy, activism, and leadership. OFYC is a program of Children First for Oregon (CFFO), is a statewide, youth led, advocacy group of current and former foster youth between... Read more
Oregon Independent Living Program
Visit WebsiteThe Independent Living Program (ILP) helps youth who are, or were, in foster care to become self-sufficient adults. It gives an opportunity to learn valuable skills necessary to make a successful transition from state or tribal custody to living on your own in the community.Read more
Oregon: Imagination House
The Imagination House is a transitional independent living program, in partnership with DHS, for female youth, ages 18-20, who have aged out of foster care, but who are still under the custody of DHS.Read more
