Committee hears bill to set uniform payment method for independent living program

The Senate Committee on Human Services on Feb. 20 heard testimony on Senate Bill 911, a measure that would require the Oregon Department of Human Services to adopt rules establishing a uniform payment methodology for providers of Independent Living Program (ILP) transition services for foster youth aging out of care.

The bill’s sponsors and provider witnesses told the committee the current payment structure is administratively burdensome and does not reflect the true cost of service. Andrew Grover, executive director of Youth Villages, said ILP workers meet with most youth at least once a month and that about 20% of participants need weekly contact. “The system is very unstable. It’s been dramatically underfunded for many years,” Grover said, adding that Youth Villages’ tracking shows “well over 80 percent” of youth they serve are in safe, stable housing and in school or employed one year after services.

The bill as described during the hearing would require the payment methodology to account for the number of in‑home…