“Aid & Assist” Community Restoration Liability Study Underway
Work with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to study and recommend solutions to third party liability for community “aid and assist” community restoration services began at an initial meeting hosted by AOC on August 16. DAS risk staff are leading a study of the issue with help from county risk and legal experts and providers of community restoration services. The study report, along with recommended solutions, is due to the Legislature by February 1, 2024 thanks to the leadership of Senator Kate Lieber, the Governor’s office, and the coalition of counties and providers who crafted the language and budget note in SB 5506. In addition to the required study and recommendations, the legislature also set aside $2.9M to reimburse a county or its contracted provider for expenses resulting from litigation related to community restoration services.
Liability risk to counties and their providers related to the provision of community restoration services is a new and potentially catastrophic phenomenon arising from recent changes to state policy which aim to place as many individuals as possible in the community instead of the Oregon State Hospital where historically those services were exclusively provided. Eliminating the risk shift to counties arising from court-mandated community behavioral health services was a top 2023 legislative session priority for AOC.
Update on Statewide Homelessness Emergency Response and Technical Assistance NOFA
Disbursement of the $26M to expand homelessness emergency response statewide allocated in HB 5019 this past session is close to being decided by Oregon Housing and Community Services. About $6M will fund new shelter capacity for chosen projects from an RFP process, with the remainder to be divided among Local Planning Groups who responded to an RFP for rapid rehousing activities. Announcement of grant awards is expected in September. The Homeless Housing Response and Capacity Strengthening Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) aimed at providing needed technical assistance to Balance of State communities has extended its pre-application deadline to August 25.
Governor Names New Emergency Management Director
Governor Kotek has named Erin McMahon as the new head of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. She will take the place of acting director Matt Garrett who has overseen the rollout of the statewide homelessness emergency response alongside Oregon Housing & Community Services Director Andrea Bell. Both Director Garrett and Director Bell have met at least monthly since the Governor’s emergency declaration with AOC staff and the Local Government Advisory Committee for Health & Human Services to facilitate communication and problem solve rollout logistics.
Contributed by: Jessica Pratt | Legislative Affairs Manager