Lawsuit: Foster Care
Nearly every child who enters foster care has been exposed to trauma and needs access to mental healthcare. Yet, thousands of children across the state who have endured abuse or neglect must wait months before they receive care.
Getting the right support from the earliest age possible can change a child’s destiny. Meeting children’s healthcare needs will nurture their well-being, help them build healthy bonds with caregivers, and create a strong foundation for living a healthy life.
DHS has failed to create a safe foster care system and provide children the services they need to thrive. This lawsuit seeks to transform this system so that every child the opportunity to reach their potential.
Case Documents
Wyatt B. v. Kotek, No. 6:19-cv-00556-AA
March 20, 2024: Order to Produce Client Records
September 29, 2022: Opinion and Order on Motion to Certify Order
August 17, 2022: Opinion and Order for Class Certification
November 3, 2021: Response to State's Appeal
September 27, 2021: Opinion and Order on Motion to Dismiss
December 9, 2019: Motion for Class Certification
August 8, 2019: Response to the Motion to Dismiss
July 25, 2019: Motion to Dismiss
April 4, 2019: Class Action Complaint
Press Releases
August 17, 2022: Federal Judge Rules for Children, Grants Class Action Status in Foster Care Lawsuit
April 16, 2019: Foster Care Children File Civil Rights Case
Media Coverage
January 8, 2024: Oregon foster care class action lawsuit moving forward
October 7, 2021: Federal judge keeps alive lawsuit alleging Oregon foster care failures, saying state can’t bat away charges it mistreats children
April 30, 2021: Opinion: Foster care systems fail Oregon's LGBTQ youth
December 18, 2019: Opinion: Children in foster care need quick access to mental healthcare
December 10, 2019: Child advocacy group asks to include all Oregon foster children in class action suit
August 11, 2019: State wants foster care case dismissed, takes fiery rebuke
August 8, 2019: Advocacy groups fire back after Oregon officials move to dismiss federal foster care lawsuit
August 7, 2019: Advocacy group alleges Oregon's foster care system 'revictimizes children'
July 26, 2019: State attorneys seek dismissal of Oregon foster care lawsuit
April 30, 2019: Oregon foster care plagued by staff shortages, caseworkers say
April 21, 2019: Editorial: Child-welfare lawsuit could force the accountability Oregon needs
April 16, 2019: Class-action suit claims Oregon foster care program revictimizes children
April 16, 2019: Oregon foster care system targeted in federal lawsuit
April 16, 2019: Horrific failures of Oregon foster care system called out in new federal lawsuit
Plaintiff Stories
