https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/amh/pages/index.aspx
https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_430.610
“Local Authority” for Mental Health...
“Subject to the availability of funds, services should be available to all persons with mental or emotional disturbances, developmental disabilities, alcoholism or drug dependence, and persons who are alcohol or drug abusers, regardless of age, county of residence or ability to pay.”
What you should know…
One of my neighbors asked today what this means. Before I do that, I’ll share a story I wouldn’t otherwise find pleasure in sharing…
While project manager, Stepping Up Initiative in 2o16, I begin to see the significance of “Local Mental Health Authority” as delegated by Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to County BOC.
This ‘Authority’ is appropriately delegated to our Health & Human Services Director to administer and provide Behavioral Health services to support the most vulnerable citizens in our County.
This is a very critical and essential component to all counties who are providers of behavioral health services to the most vulnerable population. This is a privilege that is ours to lose, as long as we hit outcomes and metrics for best practices….
We struggled for a number of years up to 2019 when it got pretty challenging. Audits by OHA put Lincoln County in a bad place back then. Like all counties who at times fall short, we could’ve faced consequences, even losing “local mental health authority.”
Sound scary? Well it was worrisome for a time. But, the BOC intervened in the nick time and saved the day…
With new Director, Jayne Romero, at the helm, I remain confident Lincoln County will never return to that scary place anytime soon. Think we have excellent safeguards and a much improved relationship with OHA, and Samaritan Health Services…
It’s a good idea to get educated on important information about your County like “Local Authority” and many other things important to serving our most vulnerable citizens…
Check out the links above and browse through the information. Yeah, it’s a bit boring, but all this is about keeping our County healthy and in saving precious lives.
If you want to learn more, reach out to Marie Laper, Behavioral Health Director. She is very accessible and fun to chat with…
