Rain Parrish, a 22-year-old from Portland, hugs her pink bunny Usagi. Parrish, who spent nearly 16 years in Oregon’s foster care system, shared her experiences in a court hearing on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 when the Oregon Department of Human Services settled a class-action lawsuit.

The state of Oregon fought for 5 years and spent $18 million defending itself in a case against its foster-care system. And there must not be a person in the Department of Human Services who would deny that the system could do better.

So why did the 5 years and $18 million make any sense?

The money may be a rounding error for the state of Oregon’s budget and for the state to roll over and concede would have set an intriguing precedent.

But the case was not seeking money. It called for changes in the system to take better care of children. And that is what was won.

“The waste of time to get to the point where we can start making a difference bothers me extraordinarily,” U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken said. “And it’s long overdue.”

Former foster children testified in court they were sexually abused, put in restraints without it being necessary, sent to conversion therapy and much more.

What is supposed to happen now that the case is settled is that there will be improvements in the next 10 years. Efforts will be made to quickly develop case plans for each child, ensure they get swift access to needed health care faster and more. The first step is an independent analysis of how to improve care by April 30, 2025. It is supposed to produce a plan of change.

The Oregon Department of Human Services has welcomed that analysis and praised the person leading it, Kevin Ryan. He did similar work in Oklahoma, Michigan and Texas. He also oversaw New Jersey’s child welfare agency from 2006-2008.

But after state government spent 5 years and $18 million fighting this case will it now truly commit to supporting Ryan’s work?