|
September 2, 2022
Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459,
timothy.heider@dhsoha.state.or.us
The Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC) on Wednesday approved a Behavioral Health Resource Network (BRHN) in Jackson County – the final county to be funded in Oregon.
That brings the total number of BHRNs to 44 – with several counties being served by more than one network – each offering community driven and culturally specific drug treatment and recovery services.
Jackson County will be served by a single network, representing an investment of approximately $17.4 million.
The OAC has awarded more than $264.3 million in BRHN funding since approving the first of the state’s networks in May. To date, nearly $292.5 million has been allocated in support of Measure 110, including Access to Care (ATC) grant funding.
The OAC Tri-Chairs noted the milestone accomplishment.
"Oregon has, for far too long, ranked near the bottom of states in providing services to help people suffering from addiction, even while having some of the highest addiction rates,” said OAC Tri-Chair Ron Williams. “That is what Measure 110 seeks to change. The war on drugs was waged on my community for over 50 years, and it's going to take time to fully implement this transformational law.”
“It is especially meaningful that we approved BHRNs in all 36 counties on International Overdose Awareness Day,” said Tri-Chair Blue Valentine. “Measure 110 has now funded comprehensive harm reduction programs in every county in Oregon, and in some counties, this is the first time these programs have existed. I am honored to be part of a new system that offers non-stigmatizing, non-coercive, and non-judgmental services that meet people where they are, and supports them on their journey.”
“I'm excited that we have been able to fund all the counties in the state for multiple addiction services from harm reduction to inpatient treatment,” said Tri-Chair Lakeesha Dumas. “The biggest accomplishment is that we transformed a system that has historically not let communities most impacted by the war on drugs speak for their own needs. I want to thank all who worked tirelessly to make this happen.”
OHA’s Behavioral Health Director Steve Allen acknowledged the incredible statewide effort to establish and fund BRHNs across Oregon before Sept. 1.
“I want to thank council members, OHA staff and leadership and our community partners for working cooperatively to complete funding and establishment of the BRHNs,” said Allen. “Completion of these service networks is vitally important in transforming the system of care for people seeking assistance for drug abuse and substance use throughout Oregon.”
BRHN Grant Monitoring and Compliance
With all the BRHNs now funded, there are established processes for BHRN grantee monitoring including:
- Requiring grantees to report service data and fiscal data on a periodic basis.
- Requiring grantees to submit their service delivery policies and procedures.
- Performance audits and reviews by Oregon’s Secretary of State.
- OHA certification of community health workers, peer wellness specialists and peer support specialists working within the BHRNS.
- OHA certification of outpatient substance use disorders treatment and recovery programs.
- A complaint intake process.
More detailed information on oversight and accountability, along with Measure 110 progress updates can be found on the Measure 110 webpage. Notices for future OAC meetings can be found here.
OHA has developed a statewide map visualization that shows the BHRNs that have been funded, along with a robust dashboard showing the funded services within each service network.
Read more about Measure 110
Background: In November 2020, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act of 2020, which became effective Dec. 4, 2020, to better serve people actively using substances or diagnosed with a substance use disorder. In July 2021, the legislature passed SB 755, which amended the act and made it more feasible to implement.
People who provide drug treatment and recovery services and advocates for criminal justice reform wrote Measure 110 in response to the high rate of drug addiction and overdoses in Oregon, and the disproportionate impact of those outcomes on Oregon’s communities of color.
Their goal was to establish a more equitable and effective approach to substance use disorder. OHA is working with the OAC to develop a first-in-the-nation health-based approach to substance use and overdose prevention system, which is more helpful, caring and cost-effective than punishing and criminalizing people who need help.
####
 You are subscribed to Oregon Health Authority News Releases. View all OHA news releases.
|
