Willamette Care Connects (MVBHC) June Update

June 13, 2024

Summer months are here! Now we can soak up a little sun and continue the awesome efforts kicked off earlier this year. Lots of work will continue over the summer months with much of the work aimed at supporting new pathways, fall lunch and learn and continuing education opportunities based in part on the results of an upcoming provider survey. To all who’ve accepted the calendar invites to next week’s workgroups- Thank you! There’s still time to RSVP if you’ve not and are interested.

Bright Spots:

PODER kicked off June with hosting a Health Equity Summit Monday June 10th at Chemeketa Community College Eola Campus. Dozens of partners representing education, advocacy, policy, and providers gathered to listen and reflect on the needs of those served by the Healthier Oregon Program. Thank you, consortium members Anthony Veliz (PODER), Melinda Aliva (OYEN), and Holly Nelson (CCC), for supporting the Summit.

OHA Update: Behavioral Health Providers Eligible for Loan Repayment Program

OHA has expanded eligible provider types for loan repayment: In partnership with the Office of Rural Health (ORH), the Oregon Health Authority has expanded provider types eligible for the Oregon Health Care Provider Incentive Loan Repayment. This incentive aims to strengthen workforce retention and diversity through providing tax-free funds for educational loan debt for professionals practicing at eligible sites in rural or clinically underserved areas. Provider and site eligibility criteria can be found on the ORH website along with the program applications. Newly eligible provider types include:

  • Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists: Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Loan Repayment program.
  • Behavioral Health Providers: Eligible behavioral health providers can now apply for the Loan Repayment program and include the following:
    • Mental & behavioral health providers working towards licensure hours (AKA pre-licensed)
    • CADC I, CASC 2, and CADC 3
    • Licensed or pre-licensed mental & behavioral providers working in an inpatient setting
    • Licensed or pre-licensed mental & behavioral providers who see patients in nontraditional settings (in camps, at homes, or other community settings)
    • Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA)
    • Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP) § QMHAs and QMHPs must meet the definition and standards established by 409.036 [0000] (24) (25)

For questions about the Health Care Provider Incentives Program, please reach out to providerincentives@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Workforce Boards Featured at Upcoming HB2235 Workgroup

Three regional Workforce Boards, including Willamette Workforce Partnership have been invited to present to OHA HB2235 Workgroup. Their presentation aims to highlight the extent HOWTO grants aimed at Consortium building have supported the behavioral health sector. If you would like your organization highlighted in the presentation, please send your logos to WWP Executive Director Kim Parker Llerenas ([email protected]) by Tuesday June 18th. 

Upcoming Trainings & Support:

  • CADC for Licensed Professionals– The opportunity with Chemeketa supported by WWP to train 20 licensed clinicians this fall has filled. If you are interested in future trainings, please email Shaunah Steel ([email protected]).
  • WWP is still accepting applications for the Behavioral Health Training Grants. The deadline is July 1. If you need assistance, please let me know.
  • NW Institue of Addictions Studies is hosting their 49th annual Conference August 22-23. You can register here.
  • Oregon Alliance will host a virtual training on the neurobiology of trauma & attachment July 18th. Please see the attached flier for more information & registration.

New Websites:

Oregon Workforce Partnership has dedicated resources to developing and maintaining a resource page supporting this sector. They will work with regional consortiums to improve and refine the site to best serve employers. Locally, we need a few consortium members willing to meet and provide direction on what to include. If you are interested in assisting, please let me know. Initial work can be seen here.
Oregon Council on Behavioral Health has created the site Qualified to Care. Salem Clinic Foundation has created this local site aimed for the Salem Keizer area.
Reminder: Workgroup meetings are next week. Monday June 17th at 3:30pm for the Education & Career Workgroup, followed the Retention & Recruitment Workgroup on Thursday June 20th at 9:00am. Agendas have been attached to the calendar invites.
Do you have brights spots, trainings, updates to share or colleagues you’d like to invite to join, just let me know.
Thank you for all you do to care for others.