Every Step is a community of clinics in Coordination with Health Share of Oregon, that support the health and well-being of children in foster care. Children in the foster care system face extreme challenges, as do the families that care for them. Our teams of experts make sure each child gets the highest-quality care, including the ongoing and holistic care they need, both during their time in foster care and beyond.

At Every Step, each child has a dedicated team. This team involves skilled trauma-informed nurses, doctors, social workers, and care coordinators working closely with families from day one.

To get connected to an Every Step clinic in Clackamas County, Multnomah County or Washington County please contact the KP Every Step team at 503-813-3963.
 

Services available from Every Step at Kaiser Permanente

• Coordination with case workers and between different agencies
•  Coordination of medical, dental, and mental health services
• Personalized care plans for each child
• Management of youth's appointments
• Transitional support for youth aging out of foster care
• Support for biological and resource families
• Behavioral health support at your Kaiser Permanente medical home
• Trauma-informed care
• Care techniques that promote resilience

 

Additional support for resource families

Boxes of Love (https://www.boxesofloveproject.org/)

• Boxes of Love provides large boxes of new clothing, pajamas, shoes, and other comfort items to babies and children entering foster care from local hospitals and on a private request basis. Families can request a box at https://www.boxesofloveproject.org/contact   

Every Child (https://everychildoregon.org/pdx/)

• Every Child PDX is the Portland affiliate of Every Child Oregon. Every Child mobilizes the community to uplift children and families impacted by foster care in Oregon. Please visit their website to learn more about their programs. To sign up, click here. 

Foster Parent Night Out (FPNO) (https://everychildoregon.org/family-resources/)

• Foster parents can drop off all the children in their home at a monthly child centered event for 4 hours of rest and recharging. Children are entertained, fed a meal, and connect with the same group of caring volunteers each month. For more information on FPNO and the closest location, contact your certifier at ODHS to see if there is a local FPNO where you can get connected and to get confirmation on your child’s eligibility.

Project Lemonade (https://www.projectlemonadepdx.org/)

• Project Lemonade supports and promotes confidence in foster youth. Its programs include The Project Lemonade Store, the L+EARN Internship Program, and What Inspires Students’ Hearts (WISH). Please visit its website to learn more about its offerings.

With Love (https://www.withloveoregon.org/)

• With Love helps foster families change the lives of children by providing resources that nurture dignity, hope, and community. Services include support through new and like-new tangible goods and foster family-centric events, including family outings and educational opportunities. Visit their website to learn more about their services.

Child Welfare Information Gateway

https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/parenting-child-who-has-experienced-trauma/

• Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma - factsheet discusses the nature of trauma, especially abuse or neglect, the effects of trauma on children and youth, and ways to help a child who has experienced trauma.

Health Share of Oregon – Every Step Clinics https://www.healthshareoregon.org/health-equity/every-step

• Learn more about the Every Step clinics across the state of Oregon.

Foster Club/Foster Care Alumni https://www.fosterclub.com/

• FosterClub is a national network for young people in foster care. It provides young people in foster care an opportunity to connect and gain support from their peers. The nonprofit organization also provides online training and resources for foster parents.

Additional support for youth transitioning out of foster care

Independent Living Program (ILP) (https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/foster-care-transition/pages/default.aspx)

• The Independent Living Program (ILP) helps foster youth become self-sufficient adults. Skill-building programs and financial and housing resources are available.

New Avenues for Youth (https://newavenues.org/about/)

• New Avenues’ services are designed to address the individualized needs and readiness of young people (ages 9-24) experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Services include meals, counseling, job training, and housing.

New Avenues for Youth – Avenues to College (https://newavenues.org/services-for-youth-transitioning-from-foster-care/)

• Avenues to College is a college access program designed to support and encourage current and former foster youth to thrive in higher education. Services include personalized academic coaching, life skill support, budgeting guidance along with a monthly stipend. The online application opens in January and closes in May. Once chosen for the program, students will participate in college prep workshops called “Leadership Development” that takes place from June until September.

Youth Villages LifeSet (https://youthvillages.org/services/lifeset/)

• LifeSet program empowers young people from state services such as foster care to independence or adulthood. The program offers financial literacy courses, life skills workshops, and leadership opportunities.