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Oregon Health Authority

House Bill 2235 Workgroup

Overview

House Bill 2235 (2023) required Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to convene a workgroup to:

  • Study major barriers to workforce recruitment and retention in Oregon's publicly financed behavioral health system and 
  • Produce recommendations for improvement.

The workgroup is providing formal recommendations for OHA to report to the Oregon Legislature. 

  • Initial report due date: Jan. 15, 2025
  • Final report due date: Dec. 15, 2025

Membership

Workgroup members represent:

  • Various specific roles within the behavioral health care workforce, 
  • Providers of culturally specific services, and
  • The geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of Oregon. 

The workgroup listens to diverse voices to inform their work. 

Goals

The workgroup is developing recommendations through a consensus-based process to:

  • Improve behavioral health workforce recruitment and retention, 
  • Reduce administrative burdens, 
  • Increase reimbursement and pay, 
  • Improve caseload management, 
  • Increase diversity within Oregon's behavioral health workforce, and 
  • Address professional burnout.

The workgroup is identifying specific needs and potential impacts in developing recommendations. The group is not to implement recommendations, create technical solutions or identify funding streams. 

Meetings and Key Dates

Meetings are from January 2024 through December 2025. As of Feb. 19, 2025, public meetings will be held the third Wednesday of each month. The workgroup meets for an executive session the first Wednesday of each month. 

Meeting material:

Accessibility

Everyone has a right to know about and participate in OHA committees and workgroups. For people who speak or use a language other than English, people with disabilities or people who need additional support, OHA can provide free help. Some examples are:  

  • Sign language and spoken language interpreters
  • Written materials in other languages or transcript
  • Braille
  • Real-time captioning (CART)
  • Large print  
  • Virtual platform change
  • Audio and other formats  

This meeting will be virtual-only. This meeting will screen share and use PowerPoint presentation. 

Please contact Jen Allen at HB2235.Workgroup@oha.oregon.gov one week before the meeting to request an accommodation. We will make every effort to provide services to requests one week after the meeting. If you need an accommodation, please contact us right away even if you are only considering attending. The earlier you make a request the more likely we can meet the need.

Documents

Workgroup Charter - This charter defines the objectives, responsibilities, and scope of activities of the workgroup. It is a working document created with the workgroup and maintained by OHA.

Workgroup Members

Reports

Initial Report: Stabilizing Oregon's Public Behavioral Health System (January 2025)

Links

Oregon Public Records and Meetings Manual

Martha's Rules of Order

Contact Us

For questions or more information, email HB2235.Workgroup@oha.oregon.gov.