Despite a 2018 legal agreement and spending over $25 million, Oregon continues to house foster children in hotels, a practice deemed harmful by child welfare experts. This week, a federal judge appointed an outside expert to oversee the state's Department of Human Services and help transition away from this temporary lodging practice.

Judge Michael McShane appointed Marty Beyer, a child welfare and juvenile justice consultant, to assist the agency in finding suitable placements for these vulnerable children. Beyer will have a one-year contract to assess the situation and offer recommendations, which the judge could then mandate the state to implement.

Data reveals that in the first half of 2024, 75 children aged 6 to 19 were placed in hotels, with 20 of them staying for over two months. Advocates argue that these extended hotel stays negatively impact the children's mental health, reinforcing feelings of being unwanted and unlovable.

The state's Department of Human Services cites a lack of capacity in foster homes and residential treatment centers as the reason for resorting to hotels. However, critics contend that this explanation has become a recurring excuse and that the agency has not made sufficient systemic changes to address the issue.

While the Department of Human Services says it is committed to improving the child welfare system and welcomes collaboration with Beyer, advocates and attorneys emphasize the need for more skilled foster parents and community-based resources to provide stable and nurturing environments for these children. The long-term goal is to keep children within their families whenever possible, providing the necessary support to make that a viable option.