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Services for Youth



Not all treatment programs are offered at every OYA facility. However, all facilities do offer an array of treatment to address developmental needs and risks related to criminal behavior.

Each youth’s treatment team selects the most appropriate combination of treatment programs based on the youth’s needs and personal characteristics.​

Elements of treatment for OYA youth include:
  • Addressing needs that are likely to lead to criminal behavior
  • Impact of crime on the victim and the community
  • Culturally responsive services
  • Engaging families​
  • Addressing mental health or trauma
  • Addressing substance use
  • Teaching life and social skills​
  • Providing education and vocational training
  • Providing medical services
Learn more on the Treatment for OYA Youth page​, or by contacting the camp counselor.
Bed and equipment in clinic room.JPG

While your youth is with Oregon Youth Authority we will make sure their needs are met. This includes medical care, dental care, and mental health care they need.

Camp Riverbend has a clinic with a nurse as well as contracted doctors who provide services to youth.

Mental health services are provided on site. We also have contracts with health care providers in the community for services that are medically necessary that we cannot provide in our clinic. Our facilities only provide medical services that are medically necessary. Youth also receive regular health education information.

Payment for Medical Services
OYA pays for all necessary medical services for all youth in our correctional facilities. Youth are not eligible to receive Oregon Health Plan benefits while they are in OYA facilities. Learn more about paying for medical services.
 
Private Health Insurance
If you already have private health insurance for your youth, you should keep it, and let the facility know about it. If your youth needs emergency or specialty care outside of our facilities, your insurance could help pay for this. 

Nutrition and Fitness
​Our youth correctional facilities and transition facilities provide youth with regular healthy meals and recreation programs, including sports and other physical activities. We do not allow our youth to have food provided by their families.

Getting Medical Information About Your Youth
OYA health service follows HIPAA privacy guidelines.  We are not allowed to release medical information about youth in our custody without a signed release. More information is available on our Medical Records page.
  • Youth who are 14 and younger must have a release of information signed by their facility's superintendent or director.
  • Youth who are 15 and older must sign a release of information form before we can share their medical information.
If your youth is in an OYA facility and you want updates about their medical care, please contact their case coordinator, living unit manager or camp counselor. They can help you get the information you need.

To successfully fulfill OYA’s mission, we must ensure that we effectively meet the needs of all youth and communities, especially those who are marginalized.

OYA works to provide culturally appropriate services at all our facilities, both for youth who identify as part of marginalized groups, and for all our youth to learn to understand and respect other cultures. Many, but not all, of these services are led by our Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR). 

We provide services to meet the needs of many groups, including:
  • African American
  • Asian and Pacific Islander
  • Hispanic and Latinx
  • LGBTQ+
  • Native American

We also provide a free tattoo removal program for any youth wishing to get rid of gang-related, sex trafficking-related, or other anti-social tattoos.


Contact:
Samantha Batista
503-680-6164
samantha.batista@oya.oregon.gov​​

Riverbend Contact:
Troy Williams, Camp Director
541-663-8801 ext. 224

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cabin with snowy mountains in background.jpgthree bison in water surrounded by snow.jpg
(Photos taken by youth in the photography class)

​Riverbend finds transitional skill-building ​opportunities for youth to learn about healthy engagement in the community.

To achieve this healthy transition, Riverbend offers programs in the facility, such as:
  • Culinary classes
  • Health and fitness training
  • Financial planning courses
  • Photography class

Riverbend also allows youth to go into the community to volunteer, participate in recreational activities, and visit with family.

Volunteer opportunities include:
• Snow removal
• Firewood cutting and delivery
• Tree planting
• Participation in community events

man stands on dock fishing in pond.JPG
Recreational activities include:
• Open gym at Eastern Oregon University
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Snowboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Local college events and sporting activities
• Shopping or dining out
• Library visits​