The newly renovated building centers on a trauma-informed design
The Oregon Department of Human Services Midtown Child Welfare office is going back to its roots. The 90-person staff and district administration will return to the building where this Portland office first started 31 years ago – 815 N.E. Davis Street in the Lloyd District or Midtown area. The newly remodeled building opened to the public Monday, August 4.
Earlier this year Child Welfare staff had to leave their office at 1425 N.E. Irving Street due to structural issues. They moved temporarily into the Portland State Office Building, 800 N.E. Oregon Street.
“Staff are excited about moving into the remodeled building. There is more space, a visitation hub for the people we serve, space for community meetings and it has a trauma informed design,” Marisa Moon, District Manager, said.
Edgar Perez laughs as he remembers his year working in this same building in 1992 when he was a Portland State University practicum student, working on his Master’s Degree in Social Work. At the time, the Multnomah County District decided to consolidate all its offices into one location. Each of the four floors were packed with big wooden desks for the several hundred workers. Child Welfare was known as the Children Services Division (CSD). It was a noisy and busy environment.
“Computers were not available at the time, so most of our work was conducted over the telephone and fax machine. I often had a hard time distinguishing whether the caseworker in front of me was talking to me or asking me a question. The person in front of me spoke loudly, so I often couldn’t hear anyone I was talking with on the phone. Although it was a chaotic environment, the connections with other staff members and the memories contain lots of fun and humor today,” Perez said. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree and was then hired to work in emergency placement in the building for children in need. Perez retired as the Alberta Branch Program Manager at the end of July.
Much has changed since then. Now staff members were consulted on what their needs were, and the needs for children and families. The renovation used trauma-informed design, which creates physical spaces that promote healing, safety and well-being. The environment helps create calming and comfortable spaces that bring a sense of safety, control and dignity to the workforce, community partners, and children and families being supported in the branch. There is natural light, calming colors, comfortable furniture and areas that allow for privacy in conversations.
The return to this building also shows the Child Welfare program’s intention to stay in the current community which helps maintain existing partnerships and collaborations to support families. The new structure allows for community partners to use the space for events and meetings. The location maintains its proximity to the Alberta Branch where Self-Sufficiency Program and the Oregon Eligibility Partnership will continue to offer services so families who need it will be close to those other programs.
“We hope that our staff, through this building, can continue to be part of this community, helping those who need assistance and services – for many more years to come,” Moon said.
To contact the ODHS Child Welfare office at 815 NE Davis Street, call 971-673-1800 or email midtown.reception@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
