Family Forward Announces Candice Vickers as Executive Director

Portland, Ore. — Family Forward — the state’s largest organization fighting to center its policies and priorities by organizing a movement of mothers and caregivers who have successfully passed critical policies that support families — announced today that Candice Vickers has been selected to serve as the second executive director in the organization's history. 

Vickers is a mother of two and a fourth generation Black Portlander, who for over 15 years has advocated for and served children who have historically been marginalized and systematically denied opportunities to thrive. She has deep organizing, activism and leadership experience supporting students and families throughout the Portland Metro area in a variety of roles including general and special education teacher, district climate coach, assistant principal, student services supervisor, principal, school director and executive director of student services.  Vickers has demonstrated strong passion for building and changing systems and interrupting inequities, and she brings clear understanding of the intersectional oppression, many families experience, to all of her work. 

“For too long, our work as mamas and caregivers has been devalued, and the intersection of oppression and systemic bias has been holding us back.

"Racial, gender and economic justice only come when movements are led by the communities we work in and with. As Family Forward’s executive director, here is my promise: I will fight with you for what all of us need and deserve,” said Vickers.

For almost 15 years, Family Forward has advocated alongside moms and caregivers for the systemic change needed to ensure that women, work and care are valued and supported. The organization says it is backed by more than 10,000 people from across Oregon who have won significant gains for families — securing over $100 million in public funding for child care, winning the paid sick days needed to care for families, and passing the most inclusive paid family and medical leave program in our nation. 

Vickers joins the organization following what the organization describes as big policy wins secured in the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session:

• HB 2683: expands eligibility for child care assistance to children in the child welfare system, facing homelessness, or experiencing violence in their home. 
• SB 599: protects child care providers who rent and provide care in their homes. 
• SB 999: expands Oregon’s leave and sick days laws to include a more inclusive definition of “family”
• HB 2991 & HB 2504: removes unnecessary barriers to professional credentials and workforce pathways for child care providers.

Vickers has earned a bachelor of English degree with a minor in psychology, a master of education, master of science in special education, and is currently completing her doctoral degree in leadership and policy.

Statement from Andrea Paluso, Co-founding Director and Former Executive Director of Family Forward: “Mamas and caregivers across Oregon have been fighting with us to win policies and  real systems transformations for nearly 15 years, and Candice is exactly the leader we need now to help us protect and advance our wins for justice in critical ways over the years to come.”

Statement from Family Forward Board Chairs  Samantha Lehman and Kathryn Weeks: “With over 20 years working in and around education, fighting for equity and supporting children and families, Candice is the leader who will enable us to build and expand on our movement. Candice's lived experience and her commitment to equity will support Family Forward’s work so that all children and  families in Oregon have the care they need to thrive."