Dec 18, 2024 | AOC News, Health & Human Services, News
In his inaugural address at this year’s AOC Annual Conference, President John Shafer (Umatilla County) announced his 2025 presidential initiative, which will “focus on mental and behavioral health to equip us all to exercise our mental health authority to foster healthy, vibrant, and safe counties across Oregon.”
Shafer’s dedication to mental and behavioral health began during his time with the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office where he saw firsthand the need for a cohesive and coordinated system of care that provides both behavioral and mental health services. As a newly elected Umatilla County Commissioner, Shafer sought out a service provider that would offer comprehensive behavioral and mental services under one Community Mental Health Program (CMHP), and this model is what Umatilla County still uses today.
“Counties are the local mental health authority,” Shafer explained. “We are responsible for coordinating a continuum of evidence-based services and support for mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery, mobile crisis response, jail diversion, and court mandated treatment that meet the assessed needs of our residents.”
Shafer encouraged fellow county commissioners to familiarize themselves with their CHMP directors, local service providers, and Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), and to gain a deeper understanding of their county’s system of care.
Shafer’s presidential initiative kicks off in January with the first in a series of monthly challenges.
January’s challenge:
- Read this short primer on local mental health governance in Oregon, authored by Malheur County CMHP Director Steve Jensen, and to join a brief presentation by Greater Oregon Behavioral Health (GOBHI) CEO Ann Ford at the AOC Legislative Committee meeting on Monday afternoon, Jan. 13.
Stay tuned for additional learning opportunities throughout the year and a celebration at the 2025 AOC Annual Conference.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Dec 12, 2024 | AOC News, News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) swore in a new executive committee during the 2024 AOC Annual Conference in Eugene, Ore. at the association’s annual business meeting.
Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer now serves as the association president. Shafer is joined on the AOC executive team by first vice president, Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar; second vice president, Sherman County Judge Joe Dabulskis; treasurer, Lake County Commissioner James Williams; and immediate past president, Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell. The executive team will work together during 2025 to lead the organization to success and ensure AOC meets its core mission of uniting Oregon’s 36 counties.
AOC currently has five policy steering committees. The committees are staffed by the Legislative Affairs department and are chaired by AOC members appointed yearly by the AOC president. President Shafer appointed the following co-chairs to AOC steering committees:
Governance, Revenue, and Economic Development
- Columbia County Commissioner Casey Garrett
- Clatsop County Commissioner Lianne Thompson
Health and Human Services
- Wasco County Commissioner Phil Brady
- Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai
Natural Resources
- Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes
- Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope
Public Safety and Veterans
- Baker County Chair Shane Alderson
- Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Gordon
Transportation and Community Development
- Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran
- Benton County Commissioner Nancy Wyse
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Dec 5, 2024 | AOC News, Events, News
Over 600 county officials, agency leaders, partners, and exhibitors converged at the 2024 AOC Annual Conference held Nov. 19-22, in Eugene, Oregon. This three-day event focused on networking, learning, and building relationships to better serve Oregon’s communities.
Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, the outgoing AOC president, emphasized the importance of collaboration and engagement. “The conference reflected the work of the association this year,” said Bethell, “where we showed up, worked out our differences, and came together to advocate for all counties.”
Bethell passed the torch to Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer, who will lead the organization in 2025. Other newly elected officers include First Vice President Erin Skaar (Tillamook), Second Vice President Joe Dabulskis (Sherman), and Treasurer James Williams (Lake). Bethell was installed as Immediate Past President.
Both general sessions focused on navigating our differences. Keynote speaker Tareq Azim challenged the audience to embrace fear and shared tools to encourage them to create spaces to address uncomfortable topics. Kit Chalberg, Senior Director, Programs for Convergence, led an interactive session on how to bridge divides in our organizations and communities.
A special orientation was held for newly elected commissioners, judges, and chairs. This half-day session provided an opportunity for commissioners-elect to hear tips for a successful first year in office from the AOC Executive Committee and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. All newly elected commissioners are invited to attend AOC’s County College, which begins in January.
Educational sessions addressed critical issues facing Oregon’s counties, including transportation funding, rural housing, wildfire mitigation, and land use policy. Key themes included the need for sustainable funding, innovative partnerships, and data-driven approaches to address these challenges.
Governor Tina Kotek joined the conference to express her gratitude to county leaders for working tirelessly to lift up their communities. She emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the state and counties, highlighting shared values and a commitment to collaborative problem-solving.
The conference also featured a lunch session with Western Interstate Region (WIR) President Wes McCart, an update from the Oregon Public Utility Commission, and numerous networking opportunities, including an agency partner meet and greet and meetings with federal delegation staff.
The conference concluded with “Wander Oregon,” a product tasting that showcased the diverse offerings of Oregon’s counties. Attendees sampled an array of local delights, including cheese and charcuterie, pastries and pies, handcrafted chocolates, local honey and lavender, craft beers and wine, and authentic fry bread.
Executive Director Gina Nikkel reflected on the conference, stating, “This invaluable time together allowed us to strengthen connections, identify shared goals, and collaboratively work toward solutions that benefit our communities. We look forward to working with President Shafer and all our members next year to continue supporting counties and their communities.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Jul 24, 2024 | News
Submitted by AOC Associate Member: Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs (AOCMHP)
The Second Annual Behavioral Health Training Summit, to be held Sept. 24-27, is designed to meet the training needs of the public behavioral health system workforce.
Your sponsorship will help support the skill development and retention of these incredible workers. The summit is at the Riverhouse Conference Center in Bend, with attendees from across the state. We have expanded the number of behavioral health trainings and events, and the summit will again feature the AOCMHP Mobile Crisis Training Academy and a number of population-specific modules.
Click here to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Click here for information on registration, lodging, and sessions.
Jun 27, 2024 | Member Services, News
Wasco County recently welcomed commissioners from Clatsop and Deschutes counties, as part of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC)’s Membership Exchange Program. The program provides commissioners, judges, and chairs the opportunity to connect with their peers and learn best practices and innovative solutions from counties throughout the state. Since the program’s creation in 2021, over 25 members representing 20 counties have participated in this program.
Clatsop County Commissioner Lianne Thompson and Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang joined Wasco County Commissioners Phil Brady and Scott Hege for a tour of local businesses and sites, including the grand opening of the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) Gloria Center, a multi-agency service and resource center serving Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco counties. The center is a one-stop resource hub providing an array of services including housing assistance, homelessness prevention, case management, employment resources, veterans’ services, behavioral health, and other essential services.
Commissioners Brady, Thompson, and Chang visit the Bakeoven Solar Project.
Renewable energy and energy sources were also a major focus for commissioners, making stops at The Dalles Dam and the Bakeoven Solar Project.
The Dalles Lock and Dam is one of the ten largest hydropower dams in the United States. Since its construction in 1957, the dam has generated more than 9.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and passed up to 10 million tons of river cargo annually.
The Bakeoven Solar Project, located near Maupin, is a solar photovoltaic energy generation facility. Paired with the Daybreak Solar Project, an adjacent solar installation, the project will generate 200 megawatts. The two projects also include a 100-megawatt battery storage system, collector substation, operations and maintenance building, and an approximately 11 mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line.
Commissioners also visited Polehn Farms, a 450-acre cherry orchard that provides free housing to seasonal farmworkers. The Columbia Gorge region is home to two-thirds of Oregon’s registered labor housing.
“Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity to share information and hear their perspectives on how we’re doing things here,” said Brady. “Commissioner Hege and I are looking forward to visiting Clatsop and Deschutes counties later this fall.”
Wasco County tour sites:
- The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) Gloria Center
- Wasco County Fairgrounds
- W.E. Hunt Park
- The Dalles Lock and Dam
- Bakeoven Solar Project
- The Columbia Gorge Regional Airport
- Polehn Farms
- 159-acre land recently purchased for development of a RV park and sports facilities
Learn more about the program timeline on the AOC Membership Exchange Program webpage. The application portal closes on Friday, July 12, at 12 a.m. (midnight) PDT.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Jun 27, 2024 | News
Are you interested in ensuring the county voice is maintained on the Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council?
AOC is currently recruiting for a county representative on the council to ensure counties are well represented in the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) implementation and rollout. The RMA has direct impacts on county governments, and this council offers a unique opportunity to guide the future of the law. Read more about the council here.
If you are interested in considering this role, please contact AOC Legislative Director Mallorie Roberts.
