Two children and youth mental health bills marked as a priority of Governor Kate Brown and legislative leadership are gaining momentum as the Oregon State Legislature reaches the downhill slope of the 2019 Session. With the May revenue forecast release bringing news of an $870 million uptick in the budget, more human services related programs are anticipated to be funded.

In January of 2018, the Governor, in collaboration with the Senate President, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court created a workgroup on Children and Youth with Specialized Needs to address the unique challenges children with distinctive behavioral health needs across a multitude of institutional systems. This workgroup collaborated and crafted two bills to support policy and funding around coordinated care for children.

System of Care Advisory Council

Senate Bill 1A establishes a System of Care Advisory Council to improve state and local systems of care that provide services to youth aged 21 and under. The measure directs the council to develop and maintain a state system of care policy and a comprehensive, long-range plan for a coordinated state system of care that covers a multitude of systems including: public health, health systems, child welfare, education, juvenile justice, and services and supports for behavioral health and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The funding request for this bill is $12 million. Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) discussed this bill at its May AOC Day meeting, and voted to support the measure with some opposition.

Crisis and Transition Services Funding

SB 221A appropriates $28 million dollars to the Oregon Health Authority for intensive in-home behavioral health care for children and for statewide implementation of crisis and transition services, and to the Department of Human Services for implementation of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, for therapeutic foster care and to enhance services for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities who may also have behavioral health needs. AOC discussed this bill at its May AOC Day meeting, and voted to support the measure.

AOC Legislative Affairs Manager, Andy Smith is following both bills on behalf of Oregon’s 36 counties. “If passed, SB 1A and SB 221A will bring more resources to Oregon’s counties and Oregonians. The bills’ goal of better coordination of services and alignment across systems is critically important to achieving improved outcomes for kids coping with mental health issues, low graduation rates, foster care and/or criminal justice involvement. Counties are prepared to engage in this partnership moving forward.”

Both bills were referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means and will remain in committee until further action is scheduled.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate