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Campus with comprehensive range of services envisioned in Clackamas area;
B-roll, commissioner interviews available
Earlier today, the Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of the former Clackamas Elementary School property with the purpose of transforming it into a recovery center campus aimed at helping adults struggling with substance use disorder (SUD).
The recovery center campus will provide wraparound services – a full continuum of services and supports – to help people become self-sufficient and productive members of society. Placing multiple recovery services in one location enables individuals to receive the services they need, when they need them.
The county has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the construction and operations of the center. Information related to design, capacity, programs/services, and safety measures is being solicited from providers with extensive experience. Onsite services will include:
- detox (withdrawal management)
- stabilization
- outpatient services (including mental health treatment)
- residential treatment beds
- medication-assisted treatment
- peer support from those in recovery
- job skill development
- transitional housing
- medical and dental care (may be provided on site or off-site)
The recovery center will not be a shelter or drop-in location. Full information on the recovery center, and a copy of the agreement approved by commissioners this morning, can be found at www.clackamas.us/recoverycenter.
Individuals served through the center could be referred from a variety of sources including hospitals, community partners, first responders, law enforcement, mobile crisis teams, families and themselves. A key focus will be immediate access for individuals in need.
Individuals will be at the center on a voluntary basis. Both housed and unhoused individuals struggling with SUD will be admitted, and benefit from this critical piece of infrastructure.
"In Clackamas County we believe recovery is possible," stated Commissioner Ben West. "With this facility we will be taking a major step in addressing the addiction and homelessness crisis in our county. We will reduce barriers to treatment and provide supportive, compassionate, holistic care to our community members to help them on their journey to sobriety and self-sufficiency. This is a win for our community, public health and public safety."
"We know that untreated substance abuse can lead to job loss, homelessness, time in jail and the emergency room, and strained relationships with family and friends," stated Commissioner Paul Savas. "We're addressing that with this recovery center campus, which will help uplift the immediate area, and is one more piece of the puzzle in our care continuum for people from all corners of the county."
Purchase guided by expert recommendations
This significant development is a result of the Board's enaction of the county's recovery-oriented system of care (ROSC), passed by resolution in April 2023, which guides the county's response to the addictions, mental health and homelessness crises.
Building on the resolution, in September 2023 the Board held the Clackamas Addictions Recovery Summit, a forum that brought together local, national, and international experts on SUD and homelessness who met with commissioners, staff, and a diverse community stakeholders.
A key recommendation from the panelists was to create a recovery center for individuals with SUD. A full breakdown on the summit can be found at www.clackamas.us/summit.
Purchase details
The county is purchasing the property from the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD) for $3.5 million. The site is located at 15301 SE 92nd Ave. in Clackamas. Clackamas County Commissioners also make up the NCPRD Board of Directors.
Development and construction funding will come from a combination of Supportive Housing Services funds, the private sector, and state, federal and local funding. Operational costs will primarily come from coordinated care organizations for Medicaid-eligible individuals and behavioral-health dedicated state funding for those who are uninsured.
This action is the latest in a series of moves where NCPRD and #ClackCo have partnered to transform resources to benefit the community.
Earlier this year, NCPRD worked with Clackamas County to sell the Wichita Center to the North Clackamas School District to help community services remain intact. The county committed $1 million for capital improvements to the building as part of the sale. Additionally, NCPRD and Clackamas County are partnering to redevelop the Concord Property into a park, community center and library.
This new agreement continues the ongoing partnership, as each facility is being transformed into resources for the public good and NCPRD is able to reinvest the proceeds into district priorities.
This is the first step in a complex process. The next steps will be selecting a service provider who will work with the county on zoning changes, design and construction. These actions will form the basis for a realistic completion timeframe.
The surrounding neighborhood / Good Neighbor Group
Clackamas County has reached out to members of the immediate neighborhood of the site for months, making them aware of the county's interest in the property. With dozens of Spanish-speaking residents, communications were also available in Spanish.
A community meeting was held in July which drew approximately 80 people. Questions posed at that event were answered in a very thorough FAQ on the recovery center's webpage at www.clackamas.us/recoverycenter.
Moving forward, Clackamas County is forming a Good Neighbor Group that includes residents, surrounding organizations, and businesses as well as people in recovery. This representative group will also help establish a Good Neighbor Agreement between the county and the neighborhood. Such an agreement will outline provider and neighbor commitments.
For media
Comments were provided by commissioners at this morning's meeting, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/4CzU-Fl-qRE?feature=shared&t=1673
B-roll of the site is available to all media to download at https://wipapp.wipster.io/review/CR26UAAkSjkQKFnNCDWCHY4QlK2dKbBG7BtIWDtxnEMEdK8mXA.
Please email pio@clackamas.us with any media requests.