The Obama administration has brought a new awareness of the need for government transparency. In line with that value, the Oregon Department of Human Services has been posting all its budget documents and division presentations to the legislature online.
The budget documents on the site include an agency overview and the presentations that have been done so far to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources.
And here’s a really useful tool, especially during the legislative session: get DHS budget updates via email.
Some of the highlights from the budget documents:
· DHS funds or provides direct service to more than 1 million Oregonians every year;
· DHS money does not stay in Salem: 83% of budget is spent directly in Oregon communities, not on payroll or other administrative costs;
· That means the equivalent of $13 million is sent to the private sector: local nursing facilities, home health care workers, foster parents, mental health specialists, child care providers, and many, many more;
· DHS spending leverages approximately $7 billion of federal funding for Oregon;
· DHS spending helps pay salaries of approximately 13,800 child care worker and supports 55,000 jobs in Oregon’s health care sector; and,
· Every $1 million of state funds invested in Oregon Health Plan results in about $2.7 million of economic activity in Oregon
This is important information for advocates because these facts break through the false notion that cutting human services won’t hurt the economy.
The website also has information about the statewide tour DHS did last spring, meeting with local members of the community to get their priorities for the 2009-2011 budget. See for yourself that Oregonians care deeply about the social safety net and protecting children, seniors and other vulnerable people.
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