Updated Dec. 28, 2021
The Behavioral Health Resource Network funding timeline has been extended to give more time to process the large number of applications submitted and to ensure the evaluation subcommittee and the Oversight and Accountability Council have enough time to perform an equitable and fair review.
OHA initially extended the application deadline from Dec. 9, 2021, to Dec. 16, 2021, to allow more time for organizations to submit their applications. This extension proved effective and we now have more than 400 applications to review. While this is encouraging, it will also take more time to fairly review and evaluate applications.
We understand that a change in timeline funding has implications and encourage you to let us know what assistance you may need. Please contact us at
OHA.Measure110@dhsoha.state.or.us.
Updated timeline:
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Week 1: 12/27 – 12/31 | - Evaluation subcommittee members will read and score applications.
- Meeting in teams of 2 OAC subcommittee members and 1 OHA staff to discuss applications—total of 8 teams.
- Full evaluation subcommittee will meet to discuss recommendations.
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Week 2: 1/3 – 1/7 | - Evaluation subcommittee members will read and score applications.
- Meeting in teams of 2 OAC subcommittee members and 1 OHA staff to discuss applications—total of 8 teams.
- Full evaluation subcommittee will meet to discuss recommendations.
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Week 3: 1/10 – 1/14 | - Evaluation subcommittee members will read and score applications.
- Meeting in teams of 2 OAC subcommittee members and 1 OHA staff to discuss applications—total of 8 teams.
- Full evaluation subcommittee will meet to discuss recommendations.
- Each team will propose their final award recommendations for each county to the full evaluation subcommittee
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Week 4: 1/17 – 1/21 | - Two, 4-hour meetings in full review committee to review and approve/deny evaluation subcommittee teams decisions
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Week 5: 1/24 – 1/28 | - Two, 4-hour meetings in full review committee to review and approve/deny evaluation subcommittee teams decisions
- Final Award recommendations determined by evaluation committee by 1/28/22
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Week 6: 1/31 – 2/4 | -
Final vote on awards in full 4-hour OAC meeting 2/2/22
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Further meetings, if needed, to approve final BHRN awards
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Week 7: 2/7 – 2/11 | - All award letters are to be sent to grantees for BHRNs by 2/11/22
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Week 8: 2/14 – 2/18 | - Grant agreements written; negotiations continue.
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Week 9: 2/21 – 2/25 | - Grant agreements written; negotiations continue.
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Week 10: 2/28 – 3/4 | - Grant agreements written; negotiations continue.
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Week 11: 3/7 – 3/11 | - Final grant agreements
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First installment of grant awards sent to BHRN grantees
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In November 2020, Oregon voters passed by referendum
Measure 110, or the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act.
The purpose of Measure 110 is to make screening health assessment, treatment and recovery services for drug addiction available to all those who need and want access to those services; and to adopt a health approach to drug addiction by removing criminal penalties for low-level drug possession.
When they passed the ballot measure, the people of Oregon recognized drug addiction and overdoses are a serious problem in Oregon; and that Oregon needs to expand access to drug treatment. A health-based approach to addiction and overdose is more effective, humane and cost-effective than criminal punishments. Making people criminals because they suffer from addiction is expensive, ruins lives and can make access to treatment and recovery more difficult.
Multiple criminal sentencing laws regulating the possession of controlled substances changed from felonies to Class E violations on February 1, 2021.
It is the policy of the State of Oregon that screening, health assessment, treatment and recovery services for drug addiction are available to all those who need and want access to those services.
The initial measure required the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to establish:
- A Treatment and Recovery Services fund, financed with marijuana revenues, to fund new Addiction Recovery Centers and Community Access to Care grants.
- Fifteen 24/7/365 Addiction Recovery Centers throughout the state by Oct. 1, 2021.
- A grants program to support the Addiction Recovery Centers.
- A second grant program to increase access to community-based services.
- An
Oversight and Accountability Council to oversee the distribution of the grants, with OHA providing technical, logistical and all other necessary supports to the council.
- A 24/7 Telephone Addiction Recovery Center by Feb. 1, 2021.
Senate Bill 755 (2021) modified some of the requirements of M110 and provided details for the its requirements, allowing for it to be implemented. Some of the changes include:
- Renaming Addiction Recovery Centers to Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs).
- Establishing the authority of the Oversight and Accountability Council to distribute grants to providers that would ensure access to culturally specific and linguistically responsive care for historically underserved populations.
- Adding details surrounding the newly created Class E Violation.
- Establishing Secretary of State auditing requirements.
- Clarifying possession of substances and differentiating Class E violations, Class A misdemeanors, and felony charges depending on the quantity of substances in possession.
Read Senate Bill 755 for full details.
Oregon Administrative Rules (Chapter 944)
The Oversight and Accountability Council established Oregon Administrative Rules to govern the implementation of Measure 110 and Senate Bill 755. The rules further define ways care is to be provided, including:
- Operational, Policy, and Service and Support Requirements of Behavioral Health Resource Networks.
- Formation of Behavioral Health Resource Networks and Funding for Behavioral Health Resource Networks
- Data collecting and reporting requirements for Behavioral Health Resource Networks and recipients of grants or funds
Oversight and Accountability Council
The Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC) oversees the implementation of Behavioral Health Resource Networks and provides ongoing funding for management of harmful substance use and substance use disorder through Access to Care and Behavioral Health Resource Network grants. The council has 22 members from across the state who represent diverse communities and backgrounds. The council meets every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Meeting agendas and links to YouTube broadcasts are on the OAC web page .
Behavioral Health Resource Networks
A Behavioral Health Resource Network (BHRN) as established in Senate Bill 755 is an entity or group of entities working together to provide substance use services in Oregon. A minimum of one BHRN must be established in every county and Tribal area. Services provided by the BHRNs must be free of charge to the client, and BHRNs must bill insurance for services where possible before using grant funds. Each BHRN is required to provide trauma-informed, culturally specific and linguistically responsive services to people with substance use disorders or harmful substance use, including but not limited to:
- Screening for health and social service needs.
- Screening and referral for substance use disorder.
- Access to an individualized intervention plan.
- Case management.
- Low-barrier substance use disorder treatment.
- Harm reduction services.
- Peer-supported services.
- Housing.
- Mobile and virtual outreach.
- Referral to appropriate outside services.
Behavioral Health Resource Network grants
OHA, in coordination with the OAC, posted a Request for Proposals for Access to Care Grants for the 2019-2021 biennium. $22.3 million dollars in grants were awarded to 70 organizations across Oregon in 2021 to increase community access to services, such as low-barrier treatment, housing, peer support and harm reduction services for people with substance use disorders or harmful substance use.
OHA, in coordination with the OAC, is posting a Request for Grant Proposals to establish the Behavioral Health Resource Networks for each county. This grant opportunity requires interagency collaboration and the establishment of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU's) with other entities so that each BHRN will provide a complete list of services as required by Senate Bill 755 and Chapter 944.
- This grant opportunity opened Nov. 9, 2021 and initially closed Dec. 9, 2021. It was extended to Dec. 16, 2021, to give organizations more time to apply.
- Because of the large number of applications received, the funding timeline was extended to allow more time for review and evaluation.
- The new funding timeline is posted above.
Behavioral Health Resource Networks are meant to offer services 24/7/365. Trained credentialed workers will be required for screenings and assessments, as well as other services outlined in Measure 110 and Senate Bill 755. Because the pandemic has negatively impacted Oregon's healthcare workforce, OHA has taken many steps to offset the challenges, including offering grants for behavioral health workforce recruitment and retention. Read more about how Oregon is supporting its behavioral health workforce.