During this June’s state budgeting process the Oregon Legislature approved continued funding of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) through 2023. Plus, funding for a monumental behavioral health package that will invest $474.4 million in behavioral health projects.

The continuation of the CCBHC funding ensures Cascadia’s ability to provide access to quality integrated healthcare for all Oregonians. Thanks in a large part to the advocacy efforts of key Oregon legislators, behavioral healthcare employees and clients, and community members who supported this funding, Oregon will now provide the must-needed match funding in order to receive federal funds designated specifically for CCBHCs.

As a CCBHC, Cascadia has seen significant impact in reducing emergency room visits and helping behavioral health clients proactive manage physical health concerns like diabetes. The impacts CCBHCs can have to the overall healthcare system is robust. The CCBHC model is federally lauded as the most innovative, comprehensive community-based behavioral health programs yet to be designed, and significantly improves health outcomes for individuals with both mental and physical health diagnoses by addressing their whole health needs.

The new behavioral health package was one of the largest investments in behavioral health and contained funding to grow the behavioral health workforce, expand behavioral health services, and make additional investments into Oregon’s behavioral health system. The package also included substantial funds towards transitional and housing, crisis services, peer-led services, and community-based restoration services.

The package included the following investments, which will support Cascadia’s mission of whole health care:

• $130 million to increase statewide capacity of licensed residential facilities and housing for people with behavioral health needs.
• $121 million to support Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). CCBHCs operate 24/7 to provide mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.
• $80 million to create two incentive programs to increase the capacity and diversity of Oregon’s behavioral health workforce.
• $50 million to transform Oregon’s behavioral health system by aligning expected outcomes, roles, responsibilities, and incentives with funding.

This historic investment would not have been possible without the advocacy of Cascadia’s employees and supporters. These much needed investments will allow Cascadia and other providers across the state to deliver high-quality care to those in need and will drastically improve the health and well-being of our communities.

Thank you for being part of our whole community!