The Health Department's Behavioral Health division provides recovery-based mental health and addiction services to Multnomah County's adults, children, and families. The system of care we maintain is funded by the state of Oregon, Multnomah County, federal Medicaid money and several grants. We serve the community in 3 different ways:
Behavioral Health is the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) and the Community Mental Health Program (CMHP)
Oregon statutes mandate that local mental health authorities offer specific 'safety net' services to protect the most vulnerable of members of the community. In our county, Behavioral Health is the local mental health authority providing services such as crisis intervention and involuntary commitment investigation. These are available to any resident of Multnomah County.
Community mental health includes addiction services like detoxification, outpatient, residential and prevention outreach services and serves approximately 22,000 people annually (including some duplicates, as people may be treated more than once). Some mental health programs such as residential services, transitional housing, coordinated jail and hospital diversion are also in this category.
Behavioral Health is part of a Coordinated Care Organization (CCO)
Behavioral Health manages the mental health benefit for Oregon Health Plan members enrolled in Health Share of Oregon/Multnomah Mental Health. The Oregon Health Plan provides health coverage to low-income Oregonians who are eligible for Medicaid. Multnomah Mental Health currently has more than 133,000 members. This number varies from month-to-month based on the number of Oregon Health Plan members.
Behavioral Health provides direct clinical services
We deliver a variety of services to young children, school-aged children, teenagers, young adults and families through programs in early education settings, schools and in the community. Highly trained staff work to make sure that children get the care they need to remain at home and at school and that potentially serious illnesses are treated early.