Public Meeting Regarding Cascadia and Multnomah County Mental Health System
From Human Services:
This week, Cascadia has offered the state and Multnomah County options for downsizing their organization. We are looking at a variety of alternatives. Cuts may occur in program areas or geographic areas. Services will continue, but service providers and locations may change.
All parties are committed to ensuring continuity of care, with minimal disruption for consumers.
Community feedback on the draft plan is valued. Consumers and members of the public are invited to weigh in at a meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Benson High School Cafeteria (546 NE 12th Ave.)
Decisions are being informed by in-depth financial and program analysis and input from a wide variety of experts and community advocates. Our emphasis is on continued services for consumers, smooth transition of services and a viable business model.
Criteria and considerations include:
Continuity of services for mental health consumers
No single provider will provide more than 40% of the services in the adult mental health system
Maintaining staff to client ratios no greater than 50:1
Evaluating providers’ areas of expertise
Geographic locations of services – identifying providers with a presence in each community
Keeping our excellent clinical staff within our local mental health system
County and state fiscal and program officials are committed to diligent monitoring to ensure that the system of care is fully supported. The county and the state are working together to protect the interests of the taxpayers and the services of the mental health system. The county will continue to work with all providers with regular provider meetings, and ongoing site and quality reviews to support the transition.
As we move forward, we will look at strengthening our contracts to allow for more in- depth monitoring of contracting agencies’ finances, increased technical assistance for business management, billing, and program development.
Cascadia’s financial constraints have demanded a rapid response. We are building a flexible transition plan, allowing for the potential stresses of this accelerated timeframe. We will do whatever it takes to prevent disruption of the highest priority services.
For mental health assistance please contact our Mental Health Call Center at 503-988-4888.
As more information becomes available, we will provide updates by email and post information on this website: www.co.multnomah.or.us/mh.shtml
Please see below for information on Tri-met line 70 (12th Ave) http://trimet.org/schedules/r070.htm
Posted on May 27, 2008
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