[Comm-partners] FW: ODHS Update about Federal Changes

Wed Jan 29 11:46:34 PST 2025

Please see the ODHS Partner and Provider newsletter below for important information related to current events.

From: Oregon Department of Human Services <odhs at service.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 3:12 PM
To: Merrick Tricia L <TRICIA.L.MERRICK at odhs.oregon.gov>
Subject: ODHS Update about Federal Changes

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[ODHS_logo_small]
Partner and Provider Newsletter

1/28/24

Partner,

ODHS is receiving many questions about recent federal changes. These changes are unfolding rapidly, and we are actively analyzing the situation. A dedicated team of ODHS subject matter experts, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Justice, is carefully reviewing the potential impacts on our agency, clients, and staff.

We are committed to keeping you informed and will share updates as soon as we have verified information.

Federal Funding Pause

We are aware that a recent order for a funding freeze issued by the through the Office of Management and Budget has created uncertainty about funding for Medicaid and other key programs. This is a dynamic situation and we will keep you updated as we get more clarification from our partners

Oregon Sanctuary Promise

We wanted to reinforce that Oregon law prohibits public agencies from participating directly or indirectly in federal immigration enforcement.  This includes reporting individuals to immigration authorities based on known or suspected citizenship or immigration status, which is not allowed under Oregon law.

ODHS responsibilities to the public

Our primary goal remains focused on providing support, resources, and services to individuals and families in needs. Please keep the following in mind as you conduct business with ODHS:

  *   ODHS employees should not inquire or request information concerning a person's citizenship or immigration status unless necessary to determine eligibility for a benefit program a person is seeking.
  *   ODHS employees should not disclose personally identifying information concerning any person for the purpose of enforcement of federal immigration laws, except as required by state or federal law.
  *   ODHS must also comply with other confidentiality laws that generally prohibit employees from releasing client information.

The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) has provided a Community Toolkit<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.doj.state.or.us%2Foregon-department-of-justice%2Fcivil-rights%2Fsanctuary-promise%2Fcommunity-toolkit%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/aNQCMPGj1o0CL6zmSeqCe5h98o3oZF7f9AguCjtGMMk=390> with additional information about Oregon's status as a Sanctuary State. This ensures that individuals in Oregon have the right to "live, work, play, go to school, report a crime to police, go to court, and access government services without fear that a state or local government employee will report them to ICE."

Public Charge and access to ODHS services

We have also been fielding questions about eligibility for access to our services and benefits. As a reminder:

  *   No changes to the federal public charge law have been adopted yet.
  *   ODHS will only share factual information with the public in a timely manner. If laws change, we will inform the public through the appropriate channels as we always have.
  *   Information that ODHS provides is not legal advice. People concerned about how public benefits might affect their immigration status should ask an immigration attorney for help.

Please keep an eye on our website for more news and information about ODHS services. Our focus remains unchanged. We have but one mission as an agency: to achieve well-being for every who call Oregon home as we pursue our Equity North Star<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.oregon.gov%2Fodhs%2Fequity%2Fpages%2Fequity-north-star.aspx%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/Tcs1GyB3cQSHnt8iLBzonUrd28aW8sq2Q2gSTOy8zEo=390>.

________________________________
Additional Languages for Sanctuary Promise Information

  *   SP - ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145818%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_SP.pdf/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/0ZUOw64mi-s_hR6JRYB0_xWo-T4BYHa3pz_CgXQG0Eo=390>
  *   VI_ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145819%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_VI.pdf/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/RT1z_SLvK_Wy_hMLA7CDmrRsyIWz3qLKTpdcohcsjlw=390>
  *   SM_ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145806%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_SM.pdf/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/XfgAa46pzb2hicDDz0l6uwUIVi4qTRxzY37bV3M5lbk=390>
  *   SCH_ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145805%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_SCH.pdf/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/ZkAuR4pklUgGOuwoTpKvrfx0goRiDciHlkMLgQiBEow=390>
  *   RU_ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145817%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_RU.pdf/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/wgbH2h9eH_FFS6jTUbovwj_wJAJu45xE6K_KkSWDqjY=390>
  *   KO_ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145804%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_KO.docx/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/kexpyk7KLvkZcepoT7VjCemP7XLE2HhEH7VZd1idqgo=390>
  *   AR_ODHS Does Not Allow Illegal Sharing of Personal Information<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FORDHS%2F2025%2F01%2F28%2Ffile_attachments%2F3145816%2FREF%2520860600_ODHS%2520Does%2520Not%2520Allow%2520Illegal%2520Sharing%2520of%2520Personal%2520Information_AR.pdf/1/01000194af2ff512-37bf2832-d8eb-48a2-8caf-56114594f80e-000000/f9um70FTsNGzJH17Nx2ESmA5JKbjuQU2VynHJ-qkc-Y=390>

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Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Department of Human Services programs and services. Some examples of the free help we can provide are: sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, Braille, large print, audio and other formats. If you need help or have questions, please contact us at ADA.dhs at dhsoha.state.or.us<mailto:ADA.dhs at dhsoha.state.or.us>.

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Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Department of Human Services programs and services. Some examples of the free help we can provide include sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, Braille, large print, audio, and other formats. If you need help or have questions, please contact us at Communications.DHS at odhsoha.oregon.gov<mailto:communications.dhs at dhsoha.state.or.us>.

________________________________
This email was sent to tricia.l.merrick at odhs.oregon.gov<mailto:tricia.l.merrick at odhs.oregon.gov> from the Oregon Health Authority or Oregon Department of Human Services * 500 NE Summer Street * Salem OR 97301 * 503-947-2340 (OHA) 503-945-5600 (DHS).
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