Despite a 33 percent cut in staffing, Oregon Human Services is doing more to keep kids in their homes and out of foster homes.

Erinn Kelley-Siel is the D.H.S. boss.  "Since 2008 our collective efforts have resulted in fewer kids in Oregon experiencing foster care and more kids being served at home or with family."

It's done with differential response.  Governor Kitzhaber explains "by supplying families with these services that are designed to help them with their parenting skills and to keep that child safe at home we can reduce tremendous number of unnecessary and often dangerous foster care placements."

State officials also admit increased awareness of child abuse - leads to increased reporting - which is why the governor wants to spend 23-million dollars ito bolster an effective program of helping.