Public Health in Oregon - Join The Conversation

The “Children First for Oregon Report Card 2008” states that child abuse and neglect has decreased this year.  Do the numbers in this report truly represent the actual rate of child abuse? I’m afraid not.  The report states that “6,019 children were abused or neglected” in 2008.  The report should have said that founded cases of child abuse and neglect have decreased, not actual rates of abuse.

Last year, Oregon’s Department of Human Services received 63,504 referrals of child abuse and neglect.  They investigated 42% of these reports.  The main reasons for not exploring allegations of abuse include a lack of sufficient information about suspected maltreatment, and an inadequate amount of Child Protective Service (CPS) workers to investigate the referrals.  Approximately 1/4 of the cases CPS did investigate in 2007 were founded.  The 2008 report card is ambiguous regarding the decrease of abuse and neglect.  Perhaps the reduction in founded cases is due to the amount of reports made or investigations completed, rather than actual occurrences of abuse.

What does our leadership have to say about the suspected abuse reports that are not investigated each year?  What solutions can our leadership offer to decrease child abuse in Oregon?

In my opinion the solution to improving child welfare is through investigating more referrals, and through educating children about abuse.  Children need to be taught that it’s not okay to be touched inappropriately.  They should understand that boundaries exist even with their parents, especially since 75% of child abuse in Oregon is perpetrated by a parent.  Our education system also needs to encourage children to report abuse.  The state must ensure that children’s reports are heard by hiring enough caseworkers to investigate allegations of abuse.  CPS workers’ caseloads must also be decreased to ensure that they have time to properly investigate each report.

DHS: Children, adults and families division. (2007). Status of children in Oregon’s Child Protection Services. Retrieved from http://dhsforms.hr.state.or.us/Forms/Served/DE1535.pdf

Since I moved to Oregon a little over a year ago I have come to know this state as one that is progressive when it comes to the health of its residents. So, there is no exaggeration when I state that I was shocked to discover that Oregon ranks so low when it comes to the well-being of its children.

There are many in this state who are fighting for the well-being of our children, unfortunately with the defeat of Measure 50, the tobacco tax mentioned above, has made this endeavor much harder.

I recommend that all interested citizens keep an eye on the Oregon Health Fund Board who is trying to develop a plan that ensures affordable health care for all Oregonians. This plan is scheduled for completetion by the end of November 2008 when it will be sent to the Governor and the Oregon Legislative Assembly. With the new shift in our state and federal government it is an exciting time for change, change we can help with and believe in.

http://www.oregon.gov/OHPPR/HFB/index.shtml

I agree with Margaret that the shift in our federal and local leadership provides an opportunity for our state to renew its investment in our children’s well being.  Children First for Oregon’s annual report card indicates that increasing health care for children must be a priority for raising our state’s grade.  An estimated 117,000 children in Oregon are uninsured.  Governor Kulongoski has been a long time proponent of providing affordable health care for every child in Oregon.  The Governor’s Healthy Kids Plan proposes to increase state funding by establishing tobacco tax rates equal to Washington state, leveraging state funds to secure Medicaid funds for children’s health care, creating a comprehensive state-sponsored health plan for all children, and encouraging parents and employers to support children’s health insurance. 

In recent remarks on Children First for Oregon’s annual report card, Governor Kulongoski indicated that he is committed to passing the Healthy Kids Plan in the 2009 legislative session.  We have a responsibility to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens have access to quality health care that their family can afford.  As we approach the 2009 legislative session we must urge lawmakers to support covering all kids in Oregon.  We have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, but we cannot do so without the help of activated citizens asking our lawmakers to take action.

What a tragic situation that Oregon puts so little investment in it’s most valuable asset - our children, our future. Although it is wonderful that Head Start increased funding across the state, it is only the tip of the iceberg of what s necessary. Thousands of other eligible kids remain on waitlists. Some would argue that is the years from 0-3 that are even more critical in a child’s life. Programs like Healthy Start reach out to first time parents are provide education in nutrition, breastfeeding, parenting, and safety; they also importantly connect new parents to resources in their community. With their inadequate funding, they focus first on at-risk families. Perhaps now with a change in leadership at the state and federal level, priorities and funding will change and we will provide all children in Oregon with what they need to thrive and grow to be leaders in our community.