Advocates push to expand Oregon program that pays parent caregivers of children with severe disabilities

Oregon launched a program last summer to pay parents who care for their children with severe disabilities or medical needs. Advocates pushed for the Children’s Extraordinary Needs waiver after a similar COVID-era program ended in 2023. 

But parents say the state program is underfunded and falling short of its promise. It can only serve a tenth of the families that qualify, and only pays caregivers for up to 20 hours of work per week. SB 538, or Tensy’s Law, aims to provide adequate funding to expand the program to all eligible families.

Calli Ross is the legislative director for Advocates for Disability Supports. She’s also the primary caregiver for her 9-year-old son, Tensy, who is the bill’s namesake. She joins us to talk about the Children’s Extraordinary Needs program and the legislative push to expand it.