Oregon Public Broadcasting

Eight Oregon counties have started to rethink the way their foster care systems operate.

Oregon, historically, has one of the country’s highest rates of children in foster care.

Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports.

The Governor, with the backing of several child advocacy groups, unveiled the ambitious initiative in January.  And now, the eight selected counties are developing their game plans.

One goal is to reduce foster care rates by 20 percent in three years.

Child welfare advocates in Malheur County held their first meeting this week.

Patrick Carey is with the Department of Human Services in Deschutes County.

Patrick Carey: “I firmly believe it will work, but like I said these percentage are goals and quite frankly the one I think we will struggle with the most is increasingly placement of children with relatives.”

Carey says federal law requires keeping children near their parents – and so placing them with relatives isn’t always possible.

The state has also set up the program in Coos, Jackson, Marion, Multnomah, Tillamook and Washington counties.