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Wasco County approves temporary contract with CARES Northwest after problems at local child‑advocacy center
Summary
The district attorney said Safe Space operations have been disrupted and counties paused referrals; Wasco approved a short contract with CARES Northwest (Legacy Emanuel) for forensic medical examinations, not to exceed $25,000, to meet legal timelines.
Wasco County commissioners on Nov. 5 approved a short professional‑services agreement with Legacy Emanuel Hospital doing business as CARES Northwest to provide forensic medical examinations for children while the county’s local child advocacy center (Safe Space) addresses internal problems.
District Attorney Kara Davis told the board that Safe Space — the county’s contracted Child Advocacy Center since 2009 — has experienced staffing and leadership turmoil, and the executive director was placed on administrative leave amid allegations that prompted resignation of multiple board members and led several counties to pause referrals. Davis said the county must preserve the ability to perform time‑sensitive forensic exams and collect evidence in cases that require a 48‑hour turnaround under state requirements often referred to as Carly’s Law.
Davis said CARES Northwest, a Portland‑based provider and former collaborator with Safe Space, agreed to provide short‑term services while Safe Space undergoes an internal review. The proposed contract caps expenditures at $25,000 and is being pursued under a public‑contracting exemption for medical services. The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
The contract in the packet caps in‑person forensic exams at specified weekly volumes and sets fees for evaluations, remote MDT participation and court testimony; it specifies that exams would occur in Portland and that the county would cover travel and lodging for any court‑related attendance. The district attorney said the contract would allow Wasco to meet statutory timelines and maintain prosecutorial options while Safe Space resolves governance and operational issues.
