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Nov. 1, 2023
In this issue ...
Reflections from Oregon Health Authority (OHA)’s Child and Family Behavioral Health (CFBH) Director, Chelsea Holcomb
It is a beautiful time of year with misty mornings and leaves that are changing into a riot of orange, yellow and red colors. At the end of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time for families and friends to come together and share what they’re grateful for. It also offers us a chance to celebrate Native American traditions, culture, and art, by engaging in and including indigenous music, art, and cuisine into the Thanksgiving tradition. As children we learn that the holiday honors the early Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a feast together. However, there's a deeper and sadder history behind that tale.
According to tradition, the Wampanoag tribe shared their knowledge of the land and farming techniques, which helped the Pilgrims survive, and in gratitude, a grand feast was held. The "First Thanksgiving" is a nice story about the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people helping each other, but it's important to know the real history, too. It is important to recognize the reality that Native Americans faced in the wake of European colonization.
As we learn more about the history of Thanksgiving and its connection to Native Americans, we can understand how to make things better. We can begin by listening to Native American people and their stories. We can also show respect by recognizing the land that Native Americans have always lived on before Europeans arrived. It's essential to recognize the historical injustices and struggles faced by Native American communities as we celebrate the year and the spirit of gratitude. By promoting understanding and respect, we can strive to make Thanksgiving a more inclusive and meaningful holiday for all.
This month’s Holding Hope will look a little different from previous editions: We’ve asked the CFBH unit to share what they are grateful for in our communities, in their lives and in our unit. We offer this to our readers to show our gratitude as we all walk together to make Oregon a better place for children and families. Thank you.
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Thanksgiving is at the end of the month, and hopefully all of us will have some much-deserved time off to spend with our loved ones and share our thanks for one another. It is an opportunity to express gratitude for the people in our lives and the joys and triumphs of the previous year. In the spirit of this tradition, we asked the CFBH unit to share what they are grateful for this year.
Chelsea Holcomb said, “I am grateful for the youth and families that lend their voices and experiences with us so that we may improve behavioral health across Oregon. Their bravery in showing up and sharing their lived experiences is vital to creating systems that are designed around children and families and what they need.
"I am grateful for our community partners and providers, that are on the frontlines of providing important services. I am grateful for the CFBH unit; it is an honor to work with such a dedicated group of people. I am grateful that every day that I get to work with all these diverse groups of people that make up Oregon, so that we can show up, walk together, and do better."
Jessie Eagan, CFBH unit manager wrote, “I’m thankful for the collaboration happening across our programs, across OHA, and between agencies. I’ve heard about work happening in silos and I’ve certainly seen that too, but I have been immensely grateful and impressed by the amazing combination of brain power, generosity of time, sharing of ideas and plans, data, and support. We truly get so much done when we work together!”
Administrative specialist Tamara Bavaro said, “I’m thankful for youth and their families who bravely show up in hard spaces and make their voices heard.”
Children's Intensive Services specialist Julie Graves wrote, “I’m grateful for to be joining such an amazing team of knowledgeable and caring professionals on the CFBH team, and for the fantastic support they have provided me in my first couple of months in this role.”
Children's 988/Mobile Response and Stabilization Services coordinator Brian Pitkin: “I am grateful for my boys (with and without fur). I am also thankful for the team I work with at OHA and our shared commitment to improve access to quality supports and services that meet the needs of all Oregonians.
"Finally, I am truly blessed to be in the role of Children's 988 and Mobile Response and Stabilization Services coordinator. Part of my role includes reaching out to Oregonians with lived experience to hear their insight and stories. I am always amazed at the beautiful cross-section of souls that call Oregon home. Hearing their stories of strength and hope while learning about our system's successes and failures can be challenging at times but working with these folks towards a common goal is what makes my job so rewarding.”
Wraparound and System of Care coordinator, Christianna Rhoads: “I am thankful to all individuals supporting Wraparound across the state, from supervisors, coaches, coordinators, family support and peer specialists and data partners. Working in a fidelity, evidenced-based program is hard work and yet providers continue to balance supporting youth and family along with the Wraparound Principles and Fidelity measures. I recognize and value your hard work and dedication to the wraparound process.
"I am thankful for new partnerships with coordinated care organizations, Community Mental Health Programs and wraparound providers across the state. Our continued partnership will help drive quality and fidelity Wraparound and ultimately increase positive outcomes for youth and families.”
Program and policy development coordinator, Kathleen Burns, “My thankfulness for many years now, has been to Peter Courtney, President of the Oregon State Senate from 2003 to 2022. It was in 2013, in the session immediately following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, that Senator Courtney began to convince fellow legislators of the need to infuse significant funding into the children’s behavioral health system. His premise was simple: He wanted to prevent a similar event from happening in Oregon.
"Sen. Courtney successfully got legislators to agree to dedicate $21 million dollars in funding to children’s behavioral health by the end of the 2013 legislative session. While it was overwhelming to create and stand-up programs with these funds on a very short timeline, many of them are still in existence today. More importantly, the programs paved the way for further expansion in subsequent years.
"Prior to Sen. Courtney taking this action, the CFBH unit had very little funding to work with and no presence whatsoever in the awareness or resolve of legislators. I’m grateful that this act created a ripple effect where there is now more interest and awareness of children’s behavioral health within and among our legislators, and we have a full menu of services to fill some prior gaps in the continuum of care.”
System of Care policy strategist, Hilary Harrison: “I have immense gratitude for all the families in Oregon who are willing to share their stories and ideas to make Oregon’s children’s system better, a highlight for each month is the Families Leading Behavioral Health Systems meeting. Gratitude to the Tribes that requested System of Care Advisory Council grant dollars and provided me with immense growth opportunities to learn about their needs and their world.”
Young adult service coordinator, Christie Taylor: “To my community: to my dedicated colleagues, to all the young people and families, to the network of providers and leadership who have remained committed to community-based services through a pandemic and beyond, to everyone out there trying their best to navigate personal and global events and still showing up, I am grateful for you. Keep showing up.”
School-based mental health program and policy coordinator and mental health program policy analyst Fran Pearson: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to support programs and projects that work so very hard every single day to lift up Oregon families!”
Youth suicide prevention policy coordinator, Jill Baker: “I am thankful for a beautiful mosaic of suicide prevention champions around the state of Oregon. In every corner, there are kind, caring, brilliant humans working hard for a state that is full of belonging and connection for our young people. They make this hard work possible!”
Youth suicide prevention program coordinator, Shanda Hochstetler: “I’m wildly thankful for the amazing partners we have in Oregon doing the work of creating connection and belonging for our young people. We have so many caring and brilliant humans who are making our state safer and more beautiful.”
Early childhood program and policy development, Amy Chandler: “I am thankful for my friends, family, and professional colleagues who supported me in applying for and taking this position with OHA. I am thankful for our amazing team and for Jessie and Chelsea and all the support and acceptance.
"I am especially thankful currently for the opportunities I’ve had to get out and visit some provider sites. The time spent touring agencies, meeting staff and leadership, was so fulfilling. People were very gracious and appreciative to have the chance to introduce themselves. It is also Native American Heritage Month in November, and we are very close to finalizing the first Parent-Child Interaction Therapy contract with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon, with the cultural enhancement: Honoring Children Making Relatives.”
Complex clinical care coordinator, Summer Hunker: “I’m thankful for many people in this role. But would like to specifically call out the folks who work with youth and families in their worst times-crisis teams and emergency departments. I’m very grateful for how they show up every day and support these youth as best they can and advocate as needed for the next step or reassure the adults that it will be ok and give them tools to move forward safely.”
Intensive community-based services coordinator, Beth Holliman: “I’m thankful for the Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Treatment staff who keeping showing up for youth and families, for bringing their best day after day, their creativity and ability to think ‘outside the box.’ You all are making a difference!”
Children's intensive treatment services coordinator, Sage Neilson: “November marks my first full year on the CFBH team here at OHA. I find myself reflecting on all the community partners I have worked with over the last year. I am so thankful for all the residential providers who collaborated with me this past year and who continue to partner with me to improve our systems of care.”
Complex care innovation specialist, John Linn: “I am so thankful that during these complex times we live and operate in, I continue to see hundreds of acts of service and kindness that remind me how lucky and thankful I am to be able to do this important work.
"From the parent who shows incredible love and patience to their child in need, to the program manager who finds hope and confidence during challenging circumstances, to my peers who demonstrate passion, amazing insight, expertise, and compassion for their fields they are responsible for. I am thankful that I work in an incredibly supportive environment, I feel empowered and motivated to make a positive difference regardless of the challenge.”
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Substance use disorder youth program coordinator, Bernardino De La Torre: “One of the things I’m grateful for was the Youth Young Adult Prevention and Recovery Symposium in September. I received overwhelming support from the Prevention Institute of the University of Oregon, the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon, Lane County, and the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education Program coordinator from Lane County. I am filled with gratitude that everyone not only said yes to this collaboration, but also that they were excited to be a part of this.
"I have so much gratitude for having friends within these circles by way of my education, my work in Oregon, and through my Latino heritage. There are so many culturally specific programs being developed, or that are already available, such as Juntos, Fresh Out (which helps Black youth coming out of prison), and Chess for Success which is in 136 schools. I keep a gratitude journal to note what I am grateful for each week, and it is really helpful to keep feeling positive and I have learned through this practice that having a grateful heart is having a loving heart.”
Juvenile justice policy and program coordinator, Jessica Stout: “I have thankfulness for the county juvenile departments and the collaboration and relationship I have with them. I am grateful for our ability to partner and find ways to best support youth that are involved in both of our systems.”
Strategic initiatives policy analyst, Sam Haskins: “I am grateful for my peers in CFBH and in other units within behavioral health who have shown me what a dedicated group of people can accomplish. They approach their work with wholeheartedness, and their passion and drive to make Oregon a better place for children and families shines through in their work. I am grateful to the community who shares their lived experience with us, they are our guiding light, and we cannot do this work without them. With all my heart, thank you.”
From the CFBH family to yours: gratitude goes out to everyone across the state of Oregon, may you have a wonderful holiday, and may we all continue to walk with one another and do better, to improve health systems for everyone.
The CFBH Roadmap is a living document that reflects input from communities, including the System of Care, families, youth and providers on direction and future investments. Written to cover 2020-2024 it sets out the goal pathways, strategies and steps that frame the work of the unit.
The latest progress report that covers April – June 2023 is now available. All the unit’s strategic work lives on the Roadmap page of our website, including a dashboard that illustrates the work underway and status of the work.
Comments and questions are welcome and can be directed to kidsteam@oha.oregon.gov.
The Request for Grant Applications, RFGA 5778 – Youth and Young Adult Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Recovery (SAPTR) Grants, has been issued for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Health Systems Division, and is now posted on OregonBuys for your review at these links:
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OregonBuys Bid Solicitation #S-44300-00008225: An external link for anyone to use without logging in to OregonBuys.
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OregonBuys Bid Solicitation #S-44300-00008225: For registered users of OregonBuys (access RFGA 5778 after logging in to OregonBuys).
The RFGA closes 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
As detailed in RFGA 5778, Section 2.3.2 Project Background and Purpose, the goal of the RFGA is to expand and enhance current efforts to address Youth and Young Adult substance use. Applicants may apply for grants to support one or more of the following allowable program activities described in the RFGA, Section 2.4 Scope of Allowable Program Activities:
- School-based prevention;
- Peer supports;
- Family involvement in treatment;
- Culturally specific supports; and
- Harm reduction services and education.
OHA anticipates awarding up to ten Grant Agreements for SAPTR-BG American Rescue Plan Act funds. The maximum combined total of all grant awards under this RFGA will be approximately $1,585,000.00. OHA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine the amount of each grant award from this RFGA. The term of each Grant Agreement is anticipated to be from approximately Jan. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025.
OregonBuys information:
The official RFGA and attachments for this opportunity, including all Application content and submission requirements, are posted as files in the Oregon Buys “Attachments” tab for the OregonBuys grant solicitation.
If your organization is not yet registered for OregonBuys, please navigate to OregonBuys.gov and click on the blue “Register” button in the top right corner of the webpage to get started. Click here for registration instructions.
If you need OregonBuys assistance:
This link includes instructions and guides on using OregonBuys: https://www.oregon.gov/das/ORBuys/Pages/supplierresources.aspx
Questions?
Please send all questions and communications about RFGA 5778 to John Gardner, the Single Point of Contact (SPC) for this RFGA, via email to john.f.gardner@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
This group is providing feedback for the development of the next version of the children’s behavioral health strategy, or Roadmap. These meetings have moved to the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom.
- The next meeting is set for November 14.
- The focus will be on solidifying recommendations for prevention and residential care.
If you are a part of a family group in the community then we would welcome your engagement in this work., It is especially important to ensure that we hear and center the voices of those who have been historically marginalized and those experiencing developmental disability in the development of the next version of the Roadmap.
We are happy to come listen to your group’s insights on system needs for both mental health and substance use disorder for young people, from infancy through age 25, or to facilitate a guided conversation.
Please email Hilary Harrison for the link and more details if you are a family member and would like to be involved.
OHA is planning to host a Behavioral Health Community Technical Assistance and Support Session Nov. 15, 2023, from 2 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time. This event is seeking to:
- Promote community awareness of OHA policy and rulemaking processes, and
- Discuss specific opportunities to reduce administrative burden on behavioral health providers.
This session will review:
- What is an Oregon Administrative Rule?
- When Oregon Administrative Rules are required.
- Who sets the requirements for the state’s rulemaking process.
- The difference between the rulemaking process and
- The impact of rules on our work.
- An overview of the steps of the rulemaking process.
- What happens after a rulemaking has ended and the rule change is in effect.
The Office of Governor Tina Kotek and OHA’s Public Health Division are seeking applicants for five positions on the state Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB).
PHAB advises and makes recommendations for governmental public health in Oregon. The board focuses on eliminating health inequities through a modern public health system, as described in PHAB’s Health Equity Policy and Procedure.
OHA invites applicants with lived or professional experience related to health, racial equity and community engagement for the following open positions:
- An expert in health equity;
- A person who represents a community-based organization serving a rural community;
- A person who represents a community-based organization serving an urban community;
- A person who represents the education system from early learning though high school; and
- A person who represents coordinated care organizations.
These recruitments will remain open until filled.
Each position serves a term that begins Jan. 1, 2024. The end dates for the positions vary, but terms may last a total of four years with the option to renew for a second term. Board members are appointed by the Governor.
PHAB meets on the second Thursday of each month from 3 - 5:30 p.m. PST. Members are encouraged to join regular subcommittees and workgroups.
Under Oregon Revised Statute 292.495, board members may qualify to receive compensation for their service.
Applicants must provide:
- A resume.
- A short personal biography.
- A brief statement of interest, including the positions the applicant is applying for.
- A brief statement on how the board can address equity.
- A brief statement on the applicant’s understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Those unable to complete the form electronically should contact the Executive Appointments Office at executive.appointments@oregon.gov for assistance.
Information about PHAB is available on the board’s website at http://www.healthoregon.org/phab.
Everyone has a right to know about and use OHA programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:
- Sign language and spoken language interpreters.
- Written materials in other languages.
- Braille.
- Large print.
- Audio and other formats.
Requests for help and more information, as well as questions, can be sent to Sara Beaudrault at 971-645-5766 or sara.beaudrault@oha.oregon.gov or 711 TTY.
Intensive Treatment Services capacity remains a critical concern to CFBH. In addition to the weekly data collection. Each week we receive data on capacity for acute inpatient beds and psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) beds, and on substance use disorder residential bed capacity.
There are changes coming! In late September, OHA notified PRTF programs of a new innovative system for referral management called Referral and Capacity Management (RCM). RCM is a secure web-based platform designed as a tool for providers to manage their program referrals and waitlists, and to give them a high-level view of their census and upcoming openings. Our current capacity tracking produces a weekly snapshot of these providers’ census and capacity information. RCM will be able to provide daily updates. RCM is being launched as a pilot with four PRTF programs; the goal is to expand to all intensive treatment service (ITS) programs in the future. ITS programs include psychiatric day treatment programs, residential treatment programs, secure inpatient programs and acute psychiatric inpatient units.
We will continue to provide updates on this pilot project as it moves forward. Currently, we are in the early stages of getting the PRTF providers acquainted with RCM. The goal is to have the participating providers trained on RCM and begin using it within the first quarter of 2024.
Find events, opportunities, trainings and resources in last month’s posting. Many of these trainings are also on our website. We will send updates mid-month — Look for the next one in your inbox on November 15.
For feedback and suggestions for our newsletter and information: kids.team@oha.oregon.gov.
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