Oregon

A 2017 Oregon law instituted a Chief Data Officer responsible for the state’s centralized data strategy, including an enterprise open data platform. The CDO is charged with creating open data standards, identifying opportunities for data sharing, and designing stakeholder engagement strategies, including an advisory group. A data governance policy 107-004-160.pdf directs agency data governance programs to include establishment of a representative, accountable and appropriately resourced Data Governance Body with authority, or members with authority, over the management of agency data, whose membership includes leadership from the agency executive level, major business lines and program areas (including IT). Agencies will also identify and appoint a Lead Data Steward to Participate in the Oregon Data Stewards Council convened by the Chief Data Office. The Chief Data Officer also oversees a geospatial data-sharing and management platform.

Oregon’s statewide data strategy, introduced in February 2021, outlines key principles for ethical data use, spanning collection, design, community engagement, and transparency. Aligned with a 2017 law, the state progresses on its biennial action plan stemming from this strategy. Additionally, the 2017 Open Data Program mandates agencies to list and share open datasets for transparency and internal collaboration. The Chief Data Officer facilitates data sharing among agencies via an enterprise memorandum. The State Longitudinal Data System, established in 2018, merges education and workforce data, while the Trauma-Informed Pilot Project addresses equity gaps. A 2021 law creates a “system of care advisory council” to integrate data for holistic support services. This council introduces a system of care dashboard to monitor youth engagement in Oregon’s care systems, enhancing overall data integration efforts statewide.  An enterprise memorandum of understanding pilot for safe and effective data sharing between Oregon state agencies recently completed.

Oregon Health Authority’s administrative rules include evaluation of whether applicants have demonstrated the effectiveness of prior services: Division 20 (DTRSF Grants): Scoring considers “if the grantee has previously received funding, the effectiveness of services provided”. Division 33 (REALD & SOGI Grants): Review panels assess “impact of services provided” when determining funding. Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grants: Applicants are required to articulate “Evidence-Based Activities” and adhere to evaluation best practices. ODE Early Literacy Success Grants: Applicants must adopt evidence-based curricula and follow research‑informed implementation protocols. Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) Justice Assistance Grants (e.g., OIIF) require measurable outcomes and evidence-based practices.

A 2003 Oregon law defines evidence-based program as a program that “incorporates significant and relevant practices based on scientifically based research; and is cost effective” and states that the Oregon Department of Corrections, Oregon Youth Authority, Oregon Youth Development Division, and “the part of the Oregon Health Authority that deals with mental health and addiction issues” shall (1) spend at least 75% of state moneys that the agency receives for programs on evidence-based programs; (2) perform cost-benefit analyses; and (3) compile a biennial program inventory with results from funded programs. As of 2024, the Oregon Youth Authority spent 85% of General Funds ($57.4 million) and 90% of total funds ($87.3 million) subject to Oregon’s Senate Bill 267 (SB267) on evidence-based programming. In a 2022 report to the legislature, the Oregon Department of Education Youth Development Division indicated 94% ($2,420,087) of reported expenditures support local programs that meet evidence-based practice criteria.

A 2003 Oregon law provides a definition of evidence-based program as a program that “incorporates significant and relevant practices based on scientifically based research; and is cost effective” and states that the Oregon Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority, the Oregon Youth Development Division, and “the part of the Oregon Health Authority that deals with mental health and addiction issues” shall (1) spend at least 75% of state moneys that the agency receives for programs on evidence-based programs; (2) perform cost-benefit analyses; and (3) compile a biennial program inventory with results from funded programs.

Budget and Legislative Concepts Instructions for the 2025-27 budget incorporated racial equity components.

One of the Oregon Agency Expectations is requiring all state agencies to have a Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DEI) Plan; each plan requires meaningful community engagement. The previous administration established a road map, the DEI Action Plan, for agencies so they would have a resource to lean on, which includes a strategy to strengthen community engagement. Oregon state agencies were required to update their DEI plans by June 1, 2026. Agencies DEI plans are viewable on the Oregon Transparency website.

The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) was created by SB 778 in 2021 to develop a statewide immigration integration strategy. This statutory charge ensures immigrant and refugee communities are considered in the development of state policies and program design.

The Oregon Governor’s Office published a series of strategic initiatives that include a 10-point action plan for economic recovery, informed in partnership with the Governor’s Racial Justice Council, as well as a strategic direction for guiding Oregon’s recovery from COVID-19 within a framework of racial equity and social justice. The 10-point action plan includes concrete priorities and critical investments related to fostering economic growth and recovery in a post-pandemic Oregon.

Tracking outcomes and progress is a decentralized process managed by agencies, the Office of SIEA is tracking agency strategic plans and DEI plans that are often intertwined. Progress Report on Oregon Agency Expectations published quarterly on the status of agency strategic plans and DEI plans and additional expectations. The Racial Justice Council worked with communities to establish Future Ready Oregon, a $200 million dollar investment in job training with a focus on health care, technology and manufacturing, and construction.