Valuing Families: The State of Oregon's Families

88 pages ; The purpose of this paper is to provide a wide variety of information about families in Oregon. The paper presents data which illuminate important issues affecting Oregon families. We hope this information will assist law and policy makers, family advocates, interested members of the community and scholars to help all Oregon families thrive. The first chapter after this introduction provides information about the diversity of Oregon families. The second part of the paper examines the economic well-being of Oregon families. It begins with a descriptive section about availability and distribution of income, followed by sections on wages, child support for children not living with both parents, the tax burden on families, the incidence of poverty and Oregon's public assistance programs. It concludes with a discussion of access to health insurance, since, for most people, having insurance is essential to obtaining adequate health care. Both employment- based and publicly funded insurance programs are included here.