Feds Open Investigation into Troubled Portland Foster Care Provider

The federal government is investigating Portland foster care agency Give Us This Day.

On Nov. 13, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services served a sweeping subpoena on the Oregon Department of Human Services, demanding documentation of the agency's payments to Give Us This Day from Jan. 1, 2007, until now.

The feds are seeking documentation of licensing, complaints and details of the care provided to each of the thousands of children Give Us This Day served.

As WW reported this fall, public records and former employees have long provided evidence of troubles at the foster care provider.

The Oregon Department of Justice says those problems included the theft or diversion of $2 million in the past five years, much of it by director Mary Holden. A lot of that money originally came from the feds—which is why they are asking questions now.

Oregon DHS officials declined to comment.

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.