(1) It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly to enable families and communities to protect, nurture and realize the full physical, social, emotional, cognitive and cultural developmental potential of children in Oregon. Toward this end, the Legislative Assembly shall develop and implement a statewide system of services that is preventive, integrated in local communities and accessible to children and families and that focuses on promoting the wellness of Oregon’s children.
(2) The service system shall be based on promoting the wellness of Oregon’s children and families. The following values shall guide the design and implementation of this system:
(a) A commitment to children that ranks them as Oregon’s first priority;
(b) A commitment to reducing the number of Oregon’s children and families living in poverty;
(c) A commitment to equitable treatment of gender in both services and funding;
(d) A view that strengthening families is of paramount concern, but that child safety must come first if a conflict between the well-being of a child and the well-being of a family arises;
(e) A recognition of the central role of families as the best place for children to develop;
(f) A realization that good parenting skills are fundamental to a healthy society;
(g) A sensitivity to diversity that requires culturally competent services respectful of genders, cultures, orientations and disabilities;
(h) An offering of opportunities for children to develop self-worth and concern for others, and to reach their full potential;
(i) A fundamental assumption that children should be provided the means to attain safety and good health; and
(j) A commitment to early detection and treatment of families at risk for child abuse and neglect.
(3) The service system shall emphasize:
(a) Services designed to identify risks and nurture potential at the earliest time in a child’s life;
(b) Services designed to respond to and reduce risks at the earliest possible point of detection;
(c) A comprehensive continuum of services such as prevention, early intervention and treatment for children in all age groups;
(d) The realization that funding one age group or gender of children at the expense of another is destructive of the wellness of children; and
(e) That maintenance and enhancement of treatment services and augmentation of preventive services are paramount to the effective delivery of services to children and families.
(4) The service system must begin at the local level, through cooperation and integration of all local and state providers, treat the whole person and be built on the strengths and natural supports of neighborhoods and communities. [1993 c.676 §1a]
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