Behavioral Health Talent Council

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The Governor’s office has established the Behavioral Health Talent Council to formulate new strategies to address Oregon's behavioral health workforce crisis. The Council, chaired by First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, will develop a recommended workforce action plan by January 31, 2026, to expand on the recommendations of the recent Behavioral Health Talent Assessment commissionsed by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). The 22-member Council brings together experts from diverse backgrounds including direct service providers, healthcare administrators, licensing authorities, educational institutions, and professionals with lived experience navigating pathways to behavioral health careers.

The Council will specifically focus on four overarching goals: addressing the worker shortage identified in the talent assessment report, preventing the loss of workers at high risk of turnover, increasing the cultural competency and diversity of the workforce, and improving recruitment and retention for providers serving Oregon Health Plan members.

The Behavioral Health Talent Assessment identified key factors driving the current crisis, including shortages of qualified workers particularly in rural areas, recruitment and retention challenges for organizations serving Oregon Health Plan members, and high turnover rates influenced by inadequate compensation, safety concerns, high caseloads, and insufficient support systems. The Council will develop recommended action plans based on the assessment and develop detailed strategies, milestones, timelines, and potential legislative and investment proposals necessary for implementation for consideration by the Governor.

2025 Oregon Behavioral Health Talent Assessment Report (PDF)

Council Members

Chair Aimee Kotek Wilson - First Lady of Oregon
Vice-Chair Julie Ibrahim - Chief Executive Officer, New Narrative
Vice-Chair Eli Kinsley - Director of Operations, Bridgeway Community Health
Vice-Chair Robin Sansing - Behavioral Health Initiative Director, Southern Oregon University
Todd Younkin - Executive Director, MHRA
Rachel Prusak - Executive Director, Oregon State Board of Nursing
Julia Pontoni - Office of Workforce Investments Director, HECC
Ebony Clarke - Behavioral Health Division Director, OHA
Van Burnham - Executive Director, MHACBO
Rick Treleaven - Chief Executive Officer, BestCare Treatment Services, Inc.
Clarissa Carson - MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Rogue Community Health
Sommer Wolcott - Executive Director, OnTrack Rogue Valley
Jamie Vandergon - Chief Executive Officer, Trillium Family Services
Liz O'Connor - Triager, Cascadia Project Respond
Julia Mines - Executive Director, Miracles Club
Janie Gullickson - Executive Director, MHAAO
Tammi S. Paul - Executive Director, Oregon Family Support Network
Shyra Merila-Simmons - Executive Director, Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare
Bethany M. Wallace - Assistant Professor of Practice & Practicum Specialist, Portland State University, School of Social Work
Alice Gates, PhD - Associate Professor of Public Health, OHSU-PSU
Mary Peterson, PhD - Provost, George Fox
Monica Vines - Program Director for Addiction Counseling and Behavioral Health, Central Oregon Community College

Council Meetings

Council members will attend meetings virtually. Per public meeting law, members of the public may stream meetings live or view them retroactively following the link below.