Translate
Policy Session codifies vision, outlines next steps
The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) directed staff to move ahead to develop a recovery center for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) at a policy session last week. This critical piece of infrastructure is in line with a resolution passed a year ago by the BCC and the strong recommendations from expert panelists who met with the commissioners, staff, and community partners last fall.
The BCC heard about all the progress at the session. A full packet and the video of the presentation are available online.
Per BCC direction, county staff have been gathering information from a variety of sources to form the basis for the recovery center services. This has involved meeting with key provider agencies and peers who serve this population to identify gaps in services and priorities for next steps.
Along with these discussions, staff have collected data – included in the packet – that indicate the critical need for a range of services including detox (withdrawal management), treatment beds, outpatient services, skill development, and transitional housing. During the session with the commissioners, staff emphasized the importance of including peers throughout an individual’s journey through recovery.
About the future recovery center
At the meeting, the BCC affirmed the vision and mission of the future center:
- Vision
Clackamas County envisions recovery for all individuals struggling with substance use. - Mission
To ensure that individuals struggling with substance use receive timely person-centered support, treatment, and resources to help them achieve and sustain long-term recovery.
County staff envision a campus setting with co-located services in two to three buildings. Services will be provided by community-based providers and peers with deep experience with this population. The initial population to be served will be adult men and women. The operating model will also include:
- Multiple pathways to enter services
- Natural supports, including family and friends, will be engaged whenever possible
- Strong partnerships with public safety and medical providers to divert individuals from inappropriate jail or emergency rooms and support individuals during transitions back to the community.
- Services on a voluntary basis
- A hub and spoke model to reach out to rural and underserved communities
Next steps
Clackamas County is developing this center in a phased approach. Next steps for staff include developing a public notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to solicit proposals for the center; discussions with stakeholders including public safety, emergency responders, and hospitals; and meetings with potential funders. Later this year, the BCC will hear final recommendations on center structure, program design and a funding plan.
Background
In April 2023, the BCC passed a resolution to support a recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC) in responding to the addictions, mental health and homelessness crises. That resolution established a framework to guide future county actions relating to the homeless population who experience drug addiction and mental illness.
Building on the resolution, last September the BCC held the Clackamas Addictions Recovery Summit, a forum that brought together local, national, and international experts on addiction and homelessness. The purpose of the summit was to learn more about evidence-based programs, best practices, and lessons learned to expand and build upon the addiction services and investments found in Clackamas County. Commissioners sought to develop new solutions that could effectively address the addiction and drug abuse problems present in the county area.
A key recommendation from the panelists was to create a recovery center for individuals with SUD.