News Release

Contact:    Robin Maxey                                                                    February 4, 2010

                   (503) 986-1605   

                   robin.maxey@state.or.us                                                             

Senate President Unveils Safe Families Program

SALEM –Senate President Peter Courtney unveiled legislation Thursday that will open the door to private community programs providing medium and long-term child care for families in crisis.

“These are tough times for many Oregonians. Parents have lost jobs and families have lost their homes. Too often it’s the children who suffer most,” Courtney said at an afternoon press conference at the Oregon State Capitol. “Safe Families will give parents the peace of mind to know that their children are being properly cared for in a nurturing environment.”

Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn) explained that Oregon Safe Families is not a form of foster care and is not a new state-based program. It is modeled after a privately-run program in Illinois that utilizes volunteers. Dr. Dave Anderson, founder of Safe Families in Chicago, joined Courtney for the press conference. He has played an instrumental role in helping design the Oregon program.

In Oregon Safe Families, parents will retain their parental rights and are encouraged to maintain contact with their children, the Senate President explained. A power of attorney is used to give the volunteers the authority to care for the children without taking custody. Senate Bill 991, which Courtney introduced, removes some regulatory barriers to make the program possible.

Jim Seymour of Catholic Community Services said CCS agreed to administer a pilot program in Marion and Yamhill Counties.

Courtney was also joined at Thursday’s press conference by two members of the Oregon Commission on Children and Families: Salem businessman Dick Withnell, chair; and Mickey Lansing. The pair said private fund-raising and family recruitment drives for the pilot program are being planned.

“We have a strong social safety net in our state, but not every crisis rises to the level of needing government intervention. Safe Families gives volunteers an opportunity to help in their own communities and gives parents in crisis the support and flexibility they need to work through their challenges and bring their families back together again,” Courtney said.

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Links to previous news stories about the Safe Families program in Chicago.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/07safe.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/18/business/childofrecession/main5023921.shtml