Training, support groups, and advocacy for Oregon caregivers
Official and community-approved resources that count toward Oregon training hours
Compare pre-service, continuing education, renewal and kinship rules by state, with source links and confidence markers.
ORPARC maintains a free lending library specifically for Oregon resource parents. Books, audio books, and other materials are mailed directly to your home at no charge and all materials count toward your required training hours. Browse the catalog online and request materials to be shipped to you.
The Oregon Department of Human Services provides official training courses and continuing education for resource parents. Courses are available through Workday Learning and cover a wide range of foster care topics — all pre-approved for training hour credit.
Free clothing, supplies, and gifts for children in foster care
Sweet Potatoes Closet is an Oregon-based nonprofit that provides free clothing, shoes, and essential items to children in foster care. Caregivers can request items directly for the children in their home.
Project Lemonade sends birthday packages and care boxes to Oregon foster youth so every child in care can celebrate their birthday with gifts and acknowledgment. Caregivers can request a birthday box for any child in their home.
Comfort Cases provides backpacks and duffel bags filled with comfort items — pajamas, stuffed animals, books, hygiene products — for children entering foster care, so they don't have to carry their belongings in a trash bag.
Organizations offering guidance and community for caregivers
Every Child Oregon provides a curated directory of family support resources including training, respite care, support groups, and services for Oregon foster and adoptive families.
https://everychildoregon.org/family-resources/Evidence-based, trauma-informed support groups for foster, kinship, and adoptive parents — peer support and practical parenting strategies. Search for a group in your area.
https://keepforfamilies.org/Greater Oregon Behavioral Health crisis line directory — 24/7 mental health and crisis support resources for children, families, and caregivers across Oregon.
https://www.gobhi.org/crisis-linesFoster Focus is a national publication written by and for foster youth, alumni, foster parents, and advocates — offering stories, resources, and professional insights for caregivers.
https://www.fosterfocusmag.com/aboutOFPA is a statewide association dedicated to supporting Oregon foster parents through advocacy, education, networking, and community-building across the state.
http://ofpa.com/about/Court Appointed Special Advocates — trained volunteer advocates who are appointed by a judge to speak for the best interests of children in foster care court proceedings. CASA of Oregon supports local programs statewide.
https://casaoforegon.orgFoster Care to Success (FC2S) provides scholarships, emergency funds, and wrap-around support for foster youth and young adults aging out of care — helping them succeed in higher education and independent living.
https://www.fc2success.orgTip: Log your training hours in the Training Credits tracker (Account → Training Credits) to stay on track with Oregon's 30-hour requirement per renewal period.