Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski says he wants to end racial imbalances in the state’s foster care system.  

Kulongoski says the rate of Native American and African American children in foster care far outpaces the general population.  

Kulongoski says that’s why he signed an executive order Monday that creates a Task Force on Foster Care.

Ted Kulongoski: “On any given day in Oregon, too many children of color are in foster care.  The time has come for us to move beyond good intentions to intentional actions, so that we can ensure that all children with the same needs are treated equally.”

The Oregon Department of Human Services says on any given day, more than 9000 children are receiving foster care in the state.  The agency has set a goal of reducing that number by 20 percent over the next two years.

Online:

Governor’s Executive Order on Foster Care (.pdf)