Oregon Partners for Children and Families

Our Mission: To lead the State and local communities in improving the well-being of children and families by building comprehensive partnerships, supports and services

Partners for Children and Families is a collaboration of state and local agencies that are involved in planning, policy making and providing services for children and families. The collaboration works to increase efficiency and effectiveness; set universal guidelines for planning, coordination and delivery of services; and engage citizens in local decision making about Oregon's system of supports to children and families. Oregon PCF Fact Sheet provides more information about the Partners for Children and Families collaboration and its accomplishments.

A Brief History

Partners for Children and Families grew out of Senate Bill 555, a landmark piece of legislation passed in 1999, which states that "communities provide the context for healthy children and families, and strong families and healthy communities are interdependent." Click here for additional SB 555 History. In 2002, Governor Kitzhaber signed Executive Order 02-04, specifying what is expected of the state agencies identified in SB 555.

A Vision for Local, Comprehensive Services for Children and Families

It is the vision of Partners for Children and Families that children and their families all over Oregon will have better lives because of a system of services in their communities dedicated to helping them reach their potential, especially in times of need or hardship. No matter where they enter the door of this system, they will be guided to the services or supports they need, regardless of who provides them or funds them.

• This means that all who work in the system, at both the state and local levels, are of one mind. They believe that all children have a right to good health, thriving families, a sound education and caring communities. They work together, transcending traditional turf and agenda issues, to anticipate the needs of children and families, to prevent hardship, and to make the critical connections to community resources needed by children.



• Through planning and creative action, this vibrant community of state and local providers leverages precious resources across agencies, programs and funding sources to provide the best possible service to children and families. And, through thoughtful accounting of progress towards pre-established outcomes and targets, providers keep the faith with those who entrust them with those resources - including taxpayers and their elected representatives.

How is PCF Organized?

For an overview the PCF structure, please take a look at this organizational chart. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, 13KB)

Evidence-Based Programs

In 2003, the Oregon Legislative Assembly passed Senate Bill 267, which requires that certain state-funded programs be based on scientifically demonstrated principles and that they save more money than they cost. The bill applies to programs of the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority, the Commission on Children and Families, the Criminal Justice Commission, and parts of the Department of Human Services dealing with mental health and addiction issues.

This link provides further information on SB 267.