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Dear partners and providers, As this year draws to a close and we reflect on the behavioral health system needs in Oregon, we want to acknowledge the reality many of you have shared with us: the impact of federal changes, funding concerns, workforce strain and how administrative complexity continues to impact your ability to serve communities. Your honest feedback and partnership has been essential as we continue the work to improve access and strengthen the quality of behavioral health services in our state. We recognize that meaningful change will require ongoing collaboration—with Community Mental Health Programs, Coordinated Care Organizations, the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes in Oregon, community-based organizations, the Oregon Legislature, OHA, and our providers, community, and other system partners. We are listening and we are working to find the right balance in building a system that is both sustainable and responsive to the needs of people in Oregon. As we look toward next year, including the short Legislative Session, we know that continued improvements in the behavioral health system require ongoing partnership. We take seriously the concerns we’ve heard and continue to try to right-size the level of reporting requirements our programs have as the Oregon Legislature and our fellow people of Oregon need to see progress and outcomes-based programming. Our goal is to ensure that time and energy are focused on care, not paperwork. Thank you for your flexibility as we seek to find the balance. Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership. We look forward to the work ahead together in 2026. Have a restful and happy New Year! Warm regards, Dr. Christa Jones, Deputy Director, Behavioral Health Service Delivery

In this issue:

• News from the Behavioral Health Division
• Rules, resources and engagement
• Notice of funding opportunities
• Team updates from Service Delivery
• Subscribe to OHA Behavioral Health updates

News from the Behavioral Health Division

OHA responds to Measure 110 audit from the Oregon Secretary of State

An audit released by the Secretary of State shows OHA has taken significant steps to strengthen Behavioral Health Resource Network (BHRN) program oversight and ensure responsible, effective use of Measure 110 dollars.

BHD Director Ebony Clarke said in an OHA press release, "We are committed to ongoing work to strengthen oversight, responsible stewardship of Measure 110 dollars, and ensuring that every person in Oregon has access to the behavioral health services they need. ... OHA is committed to collaborating with partners to ensure we are leading with stability, collaboration and compassion.”

There are currently 234 BHRN grantees across the state, with one in each county. These services include culturally and regionally specific care that connects or re-connects patients with the communities they call home.

From 2022-2025, programs receiving Measure 110 funding reported 3 million encounters with people in need of addiction and social support services. More than 80% of the funded BHRN providers performed outreach at least once per week and approximately 40% of these providers performed outreach five or more times weekly, resulting in thousands of new clients accessing critical BHRN services.

2026 Forward Together Oregon partner webinars announced

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority will continue webinars in 2026 to connect and receive updates about federal changes impacting Oregon.

The webinars will be held Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Pacific Time on the following dates:

• Jan. 27, 2026
• March 24, 2026
• May 19, 2026
• July 28, 2026
• Sept. 22, 2026
• Nov. 17, 2026

You can register for the webinar series via Zoom.

Like past federal response webinars, all participant microphones will be muted, but there will be an option to submit written questions. While the webinar will not be recorded, materials shared will be emailed to all registrants. Questions? Email feedback@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Spanish language and American Sign Language interpretation, along with real-time captioning (CART), will be available. Please contact Fabiola Herrera at mayra.f.herrera-hernandez@oha.oregon.gov or 503-979-6984 (voice or text), at least 48 hours before the start of the webinar to request other accommodations.

Federal response information can also be found on OHA and ODHS’ federal changes webpages.

New Oregon Health Plan web page highlights changes coming in 2027

A new OHA web page summarizes changes required by the federal government to Oregon Health Plan (OHP), also known as Medicaid, in Oregon. While these changes will not affect all OHP members and most changes related to work requirements or more frequent renewals will not take effect until 2027, the web page summarizes the changes and what members need to know. Thank you for sharing with your networks.

Medicaid Directed Payments webinar summary

On Dec. 5, 2025, more than 300 participants joined the 2026 Behavioral Health Directed Payment Webinar. We encourage interested partners and providers to review and share these materials with your teams.

• View the Webinar Slides
• Watch the Full Recording

The webinar was held as a reflection of the deep concern, urgency, and commitment across our system to address the growing cost pressures in behavioral health care for Medicaid members. 

OHA wants to extend our sincere thanks to all who joined us. Your voices and perspectives are essential as we navigate a time of significant change and strain. 

Rules, resources and engagement

The Behavioral Health Division is anticipating adopting the following rules:

• 309-019-0160, 309-022-0160 and 309-022-0180 – House Bill 2804 (2025) repealed the juvenile-specific panel of the Psychiatric Security Review Board. Modifications to OARs are needed to reflect these changes. OHA is accepting comments through Jan. 18, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Upcoming Rules Advisory Committees (RACs) and community engagement meetings can be found on the OHA website. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to “Meeting Material” to find information and resources for upcoming efforts.

View all recent rulemaking notices at:  

• Addiction Services Rules (Division 415)  
• Mental Health Rules (Division 309)  
• Drug Treatment and Recovery Services (Division 944)  

Reminder: Sign up if you’d like to receive Oregon Administrative Rule updates from BHD.

Notice of funding opportunities

No new updates in December 2025.

Team updates from Service Delivery

Encouraging growth in expanded Child, Family and Lifespan Services

Since August 2025, our internal reorganization creating the Child, Family and Lifespan Behavioral Health Services team has created greater collaboration and is working to strengthen services across the lifespan. A few notable updates:

• Centering the experiences of children and their families in behavioral health is prevention. By identifying work and efforts that can move upstream, OHA BHD aims to lower rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the adult system.
• We’re proud to see more providers growing into the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics model, which has led to more seamless access of behavioral health services in more communities across Oregon. The team also recently published a new web page which includes CCBHC information for providers. Additionally, OHA will be expanding the number of CCBHC providers. Eligible providers interested in CCBHC certification can attend an orientation prior to applying, which will be held each quarter. The next CCBHC certification orientation will be held on Jan. 12, 2026. More information is available online.

Opioid Settlement funds Recovery Community Centers across Oregon

Thanks to funding from the Oregon Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Board, numerous recovery-focused programs across Oregon have made significant strides in expanding access to services, building community partnerships, and supporting individuals in reclaiming their lives. Some recent highlights from Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) across the state include:

• True Colors Recovery launched the Rogue Recovery Center in Grants Pass in August 2025, serving 39 individuals with a 97% crime-free rate and hosting 15 mutual aid groups weekly.
• Bay Area First Step opened its Curry County RCC, serving 92 clients and actively engaging in local events and partnerships.
• El Jardín Recovery Centers in Portland and Hillsboro continue to grow, offering bilingual legal aid, hosting 14 culturally focused events, and expanding peer support groups.
• Gorge Recovery Center has laid a strong foundation by adopting 4D Recovery’s systems and building regional partnerships.
• Reclaiming Lives / Recovery Café in Medford provides peer support, meals, and bilingual services, supported by opioid settlement funding.
• Transformations Wellness Center is currently renovating its future RCC and plans to open for peer services in June 2026.

Collectively, these RCCs are strengthening Oregon’s recovery infrastructure and increasing access to inclusive, community-based support across the state.

New opioid treatment medication units open around the state

This year, OHA’s State Opioid Treatment Authority has approved state and federal certifications for three new opioid treatment program (OTP) “medication units,” in collaboration with the Oregon Opioid Settlement Prevention Treatment and Recovery Board (OSPTR).

New units in The Dalles, Redmond and Klamath Falls have brought crucial access to methadone and other FDA-approved opioid use disorder medication to people in Oregon along U.S. Highway 97, serving the largest population centers and surrounding areas throughout Central Oregon from the Washington border to the California state line.

The Redmond Treatment Center opened for patients in January 2025, The Dalles Treatment Center opened in December 2025, and the new Klamath Falls location is scheduled to open by early February 2026. More details can be found on the Oregon Recovery & Treatment Centers website.

These new services, the largest expansion in history for OTP services in Oregon east of the Cascades, marks a significant milestone in building better infrastructure to address new challenges posed by Oregon's dramatically changing opioid drug supply, including the widespread availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl statewide.

The funding also opens new opportunities to help expand the entire continuum of substance use disorder and OUD treatment, with new opportunities for the programs to collaborate with residential treatment centers, withdrawal management facilities, correctional facilities, and local hospitals to provide better care for rural Oregonians impacted by OUD. OHA and the OSPTR aim to open at least eight more OTP medication units moving forward, building more access to crucial lifesaving treatment on the Oregon Coast, the Willamette Valley, Northeastern Oregon, and the Portland metropolitan area.

Reminder: 988 Oregon communication materials, assistance available

Since July 2025, the State of Oregon has been running advertisements through the 988 Oregon: Connect to Hope campaign, aimed at making sure everyone knows they can call or text 988 for free, confidential mental health or substance use support—no matter the reason.

Free, no-cost technical assistance and communications support for continues to be available to help tailor 988 outreach in your community, including creating graphics, translating materials, producing video, developing local outreach strategies or placing advertisements. Get started at 988oregon.org/partners.

An existing partner toolkit includes ready-made communication materials in English and Spanish, including videos, social media graphics, printable flyers, postcards, wallet cards and more.

So far, outreach has helped raise awareness of 988; as seen on OHA’s Oregon 988 Dashboard, call, text and chat volume has increased each month since the campaign began.

New Parent Guide: Raising Smart Risk-Takers: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Youth Gambling

Raising kids today means keeping up with a fast-changing world—and one growing concern is youth gambling.

With the rise in sports betting, mobile apps, online games and in-game purchases making betting more accessible, it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to stay informed. The new guide offers practical insights to help you support your child, build awareness and encourage healthy decision-making.

Early exposure to gambling—even when it seems like harmless fun—can shape how kids think about risk, money and control. Over time, it may impact their emotional well-being, school performance, relationships and future opportunities.

Want to help kids make safer choices? Review Raising Smart Risk-Takers: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Youth Gambling.

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