[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6371638,"mediaKeyId","2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934","parentId",2149409,"title","Foster care ombudsman outlines Bill of Rights, access to data and limits on authority","audioSeconds",272,"startMs",2638000,"endMs",2910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934&start=2638&end=2910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934/thumbnail_2638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371638/Oregon/Foster-care-ombudsman-outlines-Bill-of-Rights-access-to-data-and-limits-on-authority","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371638-1c8fc2e25afde7cab06c76dcd3b14216/orig.mp4?Expires=1775240157&Signature=UIojr8mWAg5DKwPsT-EaFFZzos9yKL4GrnSZcjj8v5wbM3Tio5EZnrNG86aegs0ye0uOD4CxnS4SqFnkInxB1608ZafOz1TG8mQrwgoslyfnQCB1O8Pq9vlkIpXnwNTTiX-7xiggfM-hkxh6bVddcQdFpuTH85ngh-gUYAMbIFdH4XBfQMMrS3lhY5O46hulPEmeQtEAaUN8A8mo~r9FQLRxnVPFTb1pSXCw8080tooiRg8CVjggIzoQkStGgenATJI3UzS3uz62XdiXPVV7j9eewYRBMCF6Pw-3-ObZENAPGT3Zekdx6NE0spgzdIJWD73CKmaQJ23vyIPMi1xBBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon State Legislature","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Alexis Amarelli, Oregon’s foster care ombudsman, briefed the Senate Committee on Human Services on Jan. 21 about the office’s role, the Foster Children's Bill of Rights and the Sibling Bill of Rights, and the office’s authorities and limits.

Amarelli, a person with lived experience in the foster-care system, said the foster-care ombudsman position was created through the Foster Children's Bill of Rights and is housed in the Governor’s Advocacy Office within the Oregon Department of Human Services. She described independence from program branches as a central feature of the ombudsman role: ‘‘It is imperative that the work of an ombudsman is fundamentally based in independence, free from all outside influences,’’ she said.

Amarelli said the office operates a 24/7 youth empowerment and safety phone line, can receive and investigate complaints, and has access to confidential child welfare data — which she described as an important tool for independent investigations. She told the committee the office investigated 299 foster-care cases in 2024; the office also produces public statistical reports and maintains an advisory committee that meets quarterly.

But Amarelli said the foster care ombudsman does not have subpoena power and that formal findings and recommendations she writes to DHS or the governor are not public records at this time. When asked whether the ombudsman can take positions publicly or speak to media, Amarelli said she cannot take public positions on legislation or speak publicly in a way similar to the long-term care ombudsman. She said she can escalate urgent matters to DHS leadership or the governor’s office when necessary.

During questioning, Chief Operating Officer Seth Lyon clarified that the statutory office called the children’s advocate was transferred into the Governor’s Advocacy Office in 2003 and that the GAO now delivers the children’s-advocate functions within its broader work. He said the committee staff would follow up with requested budget and staffing breakdowns for the children’s advocate funding stream.

Committee members asked whether elected officials and staff could contact the foster care ombudsman directly; Lyon said he would follow up with details. Chair Gelserbluin and members praised Amarelli’s work and noted the ombudsman’s independence and 24/7 access for youth as key features.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee On Human Services 01/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Alexis Amarelli, Oregon's foster care ombudsman, described the Foster Children's Bill of Rights and Sibling Bill of Rights, said her office handled 299 investigations in 2024, and explained the office’s independence and limits — including no subpoena power and that investigative findings and recommendations are not public record.","taxTitle","Human Services, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17924,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371643,"Residential facility ombudsman warns staff shortfalls as monitored homes rise 75% since 2013",544,3496000,4040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934&start=3496&end=4040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934/thumbnail_3496000.jpg","/articles/6371643/Oregon/Residential-facility-ombudsman-warns-staff-shortfalls-as-monitored-homes-rise-75-since-2013","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371643-ed96c83bbe35f84ae55742ff34a435f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775240157&Signature=JtDhK7XdkEQ3fErQiJUDMh13dtVSAhr9BGs8F3rLPsU-U~q1Oh9LBS9tEdX1ka4nY7aEUonJ6f5yBe0BQ~q9DWBn5573I2wXBwHqd1OdqFxwp5XK26NMpJn-Z7hidmcvDnm4BVg7DwbpzChKGQ6l2t1IpB0SMnzYHEohbajaKPTsQzGxxlW6T2qak2r~p9DOoKRLXLb~vpGCIk6NxWyo8J3I4UplDfsIGfLJqv68IBQajFdi64-ep7rsVQLlTRpY-twkjl2tKTK7iYirVDhnlsbDM8BgTezguUshTxVHHdJGCPTUFHvBgG0m7CkY0p3dOgNQnkijTyllr~tp9VQG9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leslie Sutton, Oregon’s residential facility ombudsman, told the Senate Committee on Human Services on Jan. 21 that her office faces growing workload and staffing pressures as the number of residential settings for people with developmental disabilities and mental-health needs has risen sharply since 2013.

Sutton said the residential facility ombudsman covers adult mental-health residential facilities, adult developmental-disability foster homes, 24-hour group homes, and, in some cases, child foster homes through the developmental-disability system. She said her office now covers about 3,219 licensed settings — a 75% increase from roughly 1,800 in 2013 — while the program’s staff level has not grown commensurately.

Sutton told the committee that the office served about 11,000 Oregonians: roughly 87% in developmental-disability settings and 13% in mental-health facilities. She said the program opened 2,800 visits last biennium, visiting about 31% of homes in its purview and 25% of individuals. Since 2016 she reported an approximately 800% increase in case volume.

The residential ombudsman said unannounced home visits, subpoena authority to obtain records for investigations, and routine systems recommendations are core tools. She emphasized person-centered practice and federal and state rules that support giving people with disabilities greater control over daily decisions, a policy shift she traced in part to federal changes in 2014 related to person-centered Medicaid services.

Sutton said her office uses five deputy ombudsmen, a program coordinator and volunteers; two deputies were on temporary rotations at the time of testimony. She urged legislators to consider resourcing and staffing as the committee reviews proposals affecting residential settings and mental-health residential services.

Sutton also noted that 26% of the cases her office opens come from people the office has worked with before, and that 22% of cases originate from unannounced visits initiated by ombudsmen.

She described the ombudsman program as both a partner for providers seeking to improve care and a watchdog that represents resident rights and recommends policy changes to state agencies and the legislature.","Leslie Sutton, Oregon's residential facility ombudsman, told the Senate Human Services Committee that the number of licensed homes in her purview has grown from about 1,800 to 3,219 since 2013 while staff numbers in her office have not increased, creating capacity challenges for oversight and advocacy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371648,"Long-term care ombudsman urges audit after memory-care resident deaths, warns of blurred DHS roles",459,2363000,2822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934&start=2363&end=2822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934/thumbnail_2363000.jpg","/articles/6371648/Oregon/Long-term-care-ombudsman-urges-audit-after-memory-care-resident-deaths-warns-of-blurred-DHS-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371648-7e0dc8b23df2b88845ea2d5aa22eba55/orig.mp4?Expires=1775240157&Signature=XsrwjbYcvEa1Z8K5vyVBVRwlhcaRyrNzaFYTuViIFJW5p-Hqnr3uz7OjgAYsCCJNwhZe1pCiB8M2qXuqomSfIX~sJZV78qDJuO-c2o-oALq9dLqzmkegaVLxFVG47v5Dea3SyKe2dd4UjaSqZQ3rttoUtiaC3pPFeiyfgyIWdcFtDx2RJ8NXHp-El9hzWSqDvDEfkbWUzVR0NnKXMgFz0xIIvNVirYOlTX1LnJWK8aAq5qvsVE7Ao3CdwkHzXjioa6JNRtIY7JqArerJ5OqUu3~YV3AkOqjUL0I6-SXhRzFY~fVrrF6qyUcSm9-CI0Y1weGUW5-mEdXd9oQbHIXyuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Fred Steele told the Senate Committee on Human Services on Jan. 21 that his office’s review of a December 2023 death at a recently opened memory-care facility in Sandy revealed multiple warning signs and missteps by the facility and by the Department of Human Services.

Steele said a resident moved into the facility on Dec. 24, 2023, and “she walked out an open door the very next day.” The resident was found dead outdoors the following day, Steele said. Steele described the facility as new, with staff turnover and inadequate training. He said the person serving as administrator at the time had been a business office manager who told DHS in November that she had no background to run the facility.

Steele said DHS did not deploy its full licensing investigative team until Jan. 22, 2024; when DHS investigators did arrive they identified conditions that prompted the department to move residents out and close the facility. Steele told senators the department’s removal of residents happened rapidly and, in at least one case, an individual later died after being moved because some medical needs were not transferred with the resident.

Steele described three overlapping functions that, in his view, need clearer separation: (1) consumer protection and licensing enforcement; (2) provider support and technical assistance; and (3) systems-level assistance. He said the current mix can result in provider-support staff advising against investigation in some cases. ‘‘You have a provider support staff telling the investigator not to investigate,’’ Steele said, adding, ‘‘They shouldn't have that power.’’

Steele said his office has investigatory authority under state and federal law and subpoena power to obtain records; he said the ombudsman’s office can receive unredacted records and maintain confidentiality. He said his program relies on roughly 120 trained volunteers statewide and about 10 paid long-term care ombudsman staff who support volunteers.

Steele said he called for an audit of DHS’s regulatory work following the Sandy case; the governor directed a program assessment that Steele described as thorough and expected to produce recommendations by May or June. He said the ombudsman’s office issued its own report and that litigation has been filed by the family against the facility owner and DHS; Steele said that litigation was ongoing.

Committee members pressed for details. Sen. Floyd Pruzanski asked whether litigation had been filed; Steele said it had. Sen. Pruzanski and others expressed concern about rapid transfers of residents and gaps in continuity of medical care during emergency moves.

Steele closed by urging investment in caregiver training and workforce supports and recommending statutory clarifications to ensure DHS’s licensing function operates first and foremost as a consumer-protection regulator.

The ombudsman’s presentation framed his office as both an individual-advocacy and systems-advocacy body with authority to take positions and mobilize residents or families when authorized by statute and directed by resident interests.","State long-term care ombudsman Fred Steele described a December 2023 incident at a new Sandy memory-care facility in which a resident walked out and later died, urged a full audit of Department of Human Services licensing and regulatory functions, and said his office has investigatory and subpoena authority to pursue system-level concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6371653,"Senate Human Services committee adopts rules, introduces LC 3225 on foster-youth funding",1321,36000,1357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934&start=36&end=1357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149409-e29e9dfec8aa8764adcd62989e43b934/thumbnail_36000.jpg","/articles/6371653/Oregon/Senate-Human-Services-committee-adopts-rules-introduces-LC-3225-on-foster-youth-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371653-f4b8a6a71b3cf14ed0e4f778603171eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775240157&Signature=YbJFWZEMbMIddbFmLjB1v4Ar28UpRCKrLII20mEYdN4wtNOlvEawfldeY8SJMt~BSYSHZwrH5VWfTfCjOVcdaauYGHOuSQ0f2m-u1GaQUokSoj1uzWFiUYJ~dH-BWqPbHFL395-X~s0qml65LOpR6PLcQ38~gWdCERGJ3zHXDl3SJd5UoALt-ubQtMcx3rqxUzlW9yqqQ-Cpy-uMv3wCHpRAxmioAg-bgIygMVu1-IRZPjCpp42nw--vt6bbxU-W6-9ptU8vfNq3kADogNstrCnXvHRTk12LAIpTBQ81FYuk~6d3aOoqZJsa~CFawRvTKaGW8vbMpVmeec9u2ATQWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Human Services adopted its committee rules and opened its work for the 2025 session on Jan. 21, then introduced a committee measure intended to fund Oregon Foster Youth Connection.

The committee, chaired by Sen. Sarah Gelserbluin, voted to adopt the proposed committee rules dated Jan. 21, 2025. Vice Chair Diane Linthicum moved adoption; senators recorded on the affirmative included Senator Todd Nash, Senator Gugan, Senator Wilson, Lippincott and Chair Gelserbluin. The chair said the motion passed after the roll call vote.

The committee then opened a short work session to introduce committee measures. Vice Chair Linthicum moved that legislative concept LC 3225 (dated Oct. 29, 2024) be introduced as a committee measure; the motion passed by unanimous consent. Chair Gelserbluin noted that introducing a committee bill places it into the legislative process but does not signal committee support or opposition.

The committee’s organizational step also included member introductions and a brief statement from Chair Gelserbluin about the committee’s priorities — notably youth voice and accessibility for people receiving services.

The rules-adoption vote and the LC 3225 introduction put the committee in formal posture to begin hearings and informational briefings later in the week.

Votes at a glance: Adopt committee rules (motion: adopt proposed committee rules dated 1/21/2025). Mover: Vice Chair Diane Linthicum. Recorded ayes in roll call: Senator Todd Nash; Senator Gugan; Senator Wilson; Lippincott; Chair Sarah Gelserbluin. Outcome: approved.

Introduce LC 3225 (motion: introduce LC 3225 dated 10/29/24 as a committee measure). Mover: Vice Chair Diane Linthicum. Outcome: approved by unanimous consent.","On Jan. 21 the Senate Committee on Human Services adopted its committee rules by recorded roll call and, by unanimous consent, introduced committee measure LC 3225, a funding concept for Oregon Foster Youth Connection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Foster care ombudsman outlines Bill of Rights, access to data and limits on authority

Residential facility ombudsman warns staff shortfalls as monitored homes rise 75% since 2013

Long-term care ombudsman urges audit after memory-care resident deaths, warns of blurred DHS roles

Senate Human Services committee adopts rules, introduces LC 3225 on foster-youth funding