Social Policy
LWVOR Advocacy Positions
Adult Corrections—A full range of correctional programs should exist for adult offenders. The League strongly favors increased use of alternatives to incarceration where possible. If more facilities are needed, the League favors minimum security regional treatment and/or program-focused facilities.
The League supports the adoption of sentencing guidelines that set parameters for judges throughout the state to reduce disparity in sentencing.
Child Care—Child care is a social and economic issue that reaches beyond the family into the community. Quality child care needs to be available, accessible, and affordable to all families for children of all ages and with differing needs.
Children at Risk—LWVOR supports comprehensive statewide, locally based programs and services for teen pregnancy prevention and for teenage parents.
The League supports policies, programs, and funding at all levels of the community and government that promote the well-being, encourage full development, and ensure the safety of all children.
Public Postsecondary Education—Oregon needs a strong, high-quality, affordable system of higher education. For the most effective use of educational resources, state public institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as academic achievement and financial need.
Farmworker Issues—The state must work for the humane and respectful treatment of workers as well as the viability of Oregon farms.
Health Policy Adult Mental Health in Oregon LWVOR supports a comprehensive and integrated adult mental health services delivery system. The League supports the concept of care, treatment, and support in the least restrictive environment possible
Mental Health Services for Children and Youth—LWVOR supports a coordinated plan for comprehensive mental health services for all levels of need to children and youth provided under the direction of a single state service agency responsible for basic state standards. We support the appropriation of consistent and sufficient funds to implement state-mandated programs.
Homeless Youth—Communities and governments at all levels have a responsibility to provide programs and services to meet the needs of runaway and homeless youth
Juvenile Justice—LWVOR believes in coordinated planning and implementation of juvenile services.
1. Prevention of juvenile crimes should be a priority in our society.
2. Services for juvenile offenders should be responsive to the needs of the youth and his or her family
3. The League opposes holding juveniles in adult jails. If appropriate alternatives are not available, care must be taken to assure that juveniles are out of sight and sound of incarcerated adults.