County to Assist Mental Health Lobbying Effort: The Benton County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to support a large investment in mental health services. At their May 2 meeting, the commissioners voted to support a letter asking for $300 million in investments.
Now, to be clear, that letter is going to state lawmakers, and it’s not just a plea for help from our fair burgh…
“The Board of Commissioners approved the inclusion of Benton County’s logo on a letter developed by the Oregon Association of Counties and the Oregon Council for Behavioral Health,” said Administrative Services Manager Maura Kwiatkowski in an email.
In the letter it asks for an investment of over $300 million to expand access in communities for mental health resources.
The letter states, serving individuals in a timely manner and in appropriate settings that adequately address their needs, while balancing public safety.
These additional investments will be in addition to the legislature’s investments from the last two sessions, including: in 2021, the legislature allocated $130 million for residential mental health infrastructure, and in 2022 $61 million.
Breakdown of funds: In the letter, the breakdown of what the $300 million would fund includes $110.4 million towards funding 175 mental health residential beds including secure placements. However, 282-418 Mental Health Residential beds are assessed to be needed in Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Dec. 8, 2022, report at between $178-$263 million.
Another $52.5 million would fund 175 substance use disorder beds, over 300 are assessed to be needed by Oregon Health and Science University’s (OHSU) Substance Use Disorder Services Inventory and Gap Analysis at $90 million.
Then $62.5 million would fund 250 supported housing, single room occupancy and shelter
beds, currently 943 are assessed to be needed in this OHA presentation at $235.8 million.
The additional funds also go towards beds, wages, and other related services. Funds were also allocated towards jail diversion of $4,900,000.
The letter closes with, “this is not the only needed investment in behavioral health workforce and capacity. Critical asks beyond those listed above include support for expanded crisis services, expanding program models that better leverage federal investment, and other workforce stabilization efforts.”
Comment Corner: The Corvallis City Council will be hosting another in a series of Government Comment Corner community events. On May 6, Ward 2 Councilor Briae Lewis will be at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library from 10 am to noon.
Each of these events has been open to the public for anyone to stop by and ask questions about local government.
By Jennifer Warner
