Salem, Oregon – In a major step to strengthen Oregon’s behavioral health system, Governor Tina Kotek, working with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), has presented a thorough plan to improve the state’s residential treatment centers. By the end of 2026, the project seeks to provide 465 new treatment beds, thus significantly addressing the needs of Oregonians needing behavioral health care.
Along with the news was the release of a new dashboard showing residential treatment capacity. This instrument will monitor developments in real-time showing present capacities, extra beds under current contracts, and future expansions scheduled under new contracts. This methodical approach guarantees openness and lets one make necessary corrections to properly reach the given objectives.
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Governor Kotek has previously given mental health top priority for her government. She instructed the OHA to evaluate Oregon’s current and potential demand for adult behavioral health treatment facilities within her first two months in office. First made public in January 2024, the results of this initial study—known as the Behavioral Health Residential+ Study—were finalized in June 2024. These results will guide financing decisions in the next biennium to focus regions of most need.
“Added treatment capacity is critical to building the behavioral health system I know is possible in Oregon. Every Oregonian should have access to services regardless of where they live or what they can afford,” Governor Kotek said in a news release.
“The state now has more information than ever before to meet the need with precision, and we are taking action. Though we will not close Oregon’s treatment capacity gap overnight, every added bed means more Oregonians will get help when they need it. As Governor, I will always take on the toughest challenges and show progress,” Governor Kotek added.
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The new dashboard breaks down the projected goals and current progress across various types of facilities:
- Residential Treatment Facility/Homes are set to grow by 31%, adding 301 beds to the existing 986.
- Secure Residential Treatment Facilities will see an 8% increase, with an addition of 42 beds to the current 537.
- Withdrawal Management Facilities are expected to expand by 15%, adding 48 beds to the existing 327.
- Substance Use Disorder Residential Beds will have a modest increase of 5%, adding 74 beds to the 1,374 already in place.
OHA’s Behavioral Health Director, Ebony Clarke, highlighted the impact of these efforts.
“Oregon’s investments in mental health and substance use treatment are reducing our acute shortage in beds,” OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke said. “We have more work to do to ensure that every person who’s experiencing a behavioral health disorder gets the treatment they need. The data we now have as a result of the study will be the foundation for the new pipeline of work in the next biennium.”
Apart from fulfilling the urgent needs of people with behavioral health issues, this systematic expansion creates the foundation for a more robust and easily available system over time. The state’s will to enhance the daily lives of its citizens suffering with mental health issues is demonstrated by its dedication to raise the quality as well as the number of accessible treatment possibilities.
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