What Does Foster Care Look Like in Oregon? A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re searching for what foster care looks like in Oregon, you’re likely looking for clear, reliable information. Foster care can feel complex, especially for individuals and families who are new to the system or exploring ways to support children in need.

At Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI), our Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) team partners with children, foster parents, and community agencies across the entire state of Oregon, with a strong focus on rural and underserved communities where access to behavioral health, informed foster care can be limited. This guide offers a beginner-friendly overview of the Oregon foster care system, with a focus on how therapeutic foster care supports children with higher behavioral and emotional needs.

What Is Foster Care in Oregon?

Foster care in Oregon is a temporary system designed to protect children when their families are unable to safely care for them. Children may enter foster care due to concerns related to abuse, neglect, or significant family challenges.

The Oregon foster care system prioritizes:

• Child safety and well-being

• Family reunification whenever possible

• Stability, connection, and emotional health

Foster care is intended to be temporary. The primary goal is to support families in resolving challenges so children can return home safely.

Who Oversees the Oregon Foster Care System?

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare Program oversees foster care statewide. ODHS works in partnership with licensed foster parents, kinship caregivers, courts, and community-based organizations.

GOBHI partners with ODHS by providing behavioral health–informed services through our Therapeutic Foster Care program, ensuring children receive the emotional and mental health support they need while in care. This collaboration is especially important in rural Oregon communities, where families may face additional barriers to accessing consistent behavioral health services.

Why Do Children Enter Foster Care in Oregon?

Children enter foster care for many reasons, and it’s important to emphasize that these situations are never the child’s fault. Common reasons include:

• Abuse or neglect

• Parental substance use

• Mental health challenges

• Domestic violence

• Medical emergencies or incarceration

Families are often offered services and support to address these concerns, with reunification remaining the preferred outcome when it is safe.

What Is Therapeutic Foster Care?

Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is a specialized form of foster care for children who have experienced trauma and may have elevated emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs.

Through GOBHI’s Therapeutic Foster Care program, children benefit from:

• A stable, structured foster home

• Trauma-informed and behaviorally supportive care

• Access to behavioral health services

• Ongoing coordination with a professional care team

Therapeutic foster parents receive specialized training and continuous support, helping them respond to challenging behaviors with understanding, consistency, and compassion. This level of support is particularly impactful in rural and frontier areas of Oregon, where specialized behavioral health resources may be harder to access.

What Is It Like for Children in Foster Care?

Every child’s foster care experience is unique. Some children live with relatives or kinship caregivers, while others live with licensed foster or therapeutic foster families. The length of time in care depends on individual circumstances and court decisions.

Children in Oregon foster care may:

• Attend school in their community when possible

• Participate in counseling or skills-based behavioral health services

• Have regular visits with family members

• Work with caseworkers and care teams advocating for their needs

In therapeutic foster care, additional supports focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, and building a sense of safety and trust, supports that can be especially meaningful for children living in rural communities across Oregon.

Who Can Become a Foster Parent in Oregon?

Many people are surprised by how accessible fostering can be. You do not need to be married, own a home, or have previous parenting experience.

In general, foster parents in Oregon must:

• Be at least 21 years old

• Complete required training and certification

• Pass background checks

• Provide a safe, supportive home environment

Therapeutic foster parents receive enhanced training, ongoing consultation, and behavioral health support, making them a vital part of the child’s care team, particularly in communities across Oregon where foster families are urgently needed.

Foster Care vs. Adoption in Oregon

While foster care and adoption are sometimes connected, they serve different purposes.

• Foster care is temporary and focused on reunification

• Adoption is permanent and pursued when reunification is not possible

Therapeutic foster care remains centered on healing, stability, and supporting children through transitions, regardless of long-term outcomes.

Why Foster Care Awareness Matters in Oregon

Understanding what foster care is in Oregon helps reduce stigma and strengthens community support for children and families. Awareness encourages trauma-informed approaches and highlights the importance of behavioral health services within the foster care system, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state.

Even if fostering isn’t right for you, you can still make an impact by:

• Supporting foster families in your community

• Learning about trauma-informed care

• Advocating for behavioral health resources

• Sharing accurate information about foster care

  
  

Supporting Children Through Therapeutic Foster Care

At GOBHI, we believe children heal best in stable environments where their behavioral health needs are understood and supported. Therapeutic foster care plays a critical role in Oregon’s foster care system by helping children build resilience, emotional skills, and hope for the future, no matter where they live.

Learning about foster care is often the first step toward meaningful community impact.

Interested in Learning More About Therapeutic Foster Care in Oregon?

GOBHI partners with communities across Oregon, including rural, frontier, Eastern, and Central regions, to support children, foster parents, and families. Whether you’re exploring fostering or simply want to better understand the system, our team is here as a resource.

Learn more about GOBHI’s Therapeutic Foster Care program or connect with our team to explore next steps by clicking HERE