LETTER FROM THE CEO
Ann Ford
As we reflect on 2024, I am incredibly proud of the work that Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI) has accomplished in advancing behavioral health care access across Eastern Oregon. My first year as CEO has been a journey filled with growth, learning, and constant evolution. I am deeply grateful for the incredible team we’ve built and the meaningful impact we’ve made together. I am inspired by the individual contributions each one of you makes to GOBHI. Your dedication and passion for our mission are at the heart of everything we do.
The best leaders are those who serve their teams, empower others to reach their full potential, and create environments where everyone can thrive. I am privileged to be surrounded by individuals who embody this philosophy, and I remain committed to doing the same—removing obstacles, supporting you, and providing the resources you need to succeed.
This year, we made significant strides in strengthening our workforce, expanding vital services, and upholding our commitment to ensuring that every individual, no matter where they live, can access the high-quality care they deserve.
We addressed the critical workforce shortage by investing in workforce development initiatives, including scholarships, training programs, and outreach efforts aimed at attracting and retaining behavioral health professionals in rural and frontier communities. A strong, well-supported workforce is essential to ensuring sustainable, accessible care for the people we serve.
Our commitment to healthcare access remained a guiding force in our efforts this year. We prioritized culturally responsive care, expanded services to historically underserved populations, and worked closely with our partners to break down barriers to treatment. Through our collaboration with the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO), we strengthened the network of behavioral health services and enhanced resources available to individuals and families in need.
This annual report provides an overview of GOBHI’s programs and initiatives, showcasing the meaningful progress we’ve made. These achievements would not be possible without the dedication of our staff, board members, providers, and community partners. Your hard work, passion, and resilience are the foundation of our success, and I am deeply grateful for each of you.
Looking forward, GOBHI remains committed to advancing behavioral health care in Eastern Oregon. Together, we will continue to innovate, advocate, and expand access to services—ensuring a healthier, more connected future for all.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support over the past year. Together, we’ve accomplished so much, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you all.
Sincerely, Ann Ford, GOBHI CEO
ABOUT GOBHI
As a co-owner of the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO), Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI) helps provide healthcare benefits to more than 95,000 Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members across 12 rural and frontier counties.
Beyond Medicaid administration, we serve diverse populations—including children, families, and older adults—through partnerships in education, child welfare, criminal justice, and senior services.
GOBHI is guided by a board of directors consisting of county commissioners, public health directors, and community behavioral health leaders. The CEO reports directly to the board, ensuring strong leadership and alignment with our mission.
GOBHI partners with these Community Mental Health Programs (CMHPs) to provide behavioral health services to members:
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Center for Human Development, Inc.
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Community Counseling Solutions
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Outback Strong
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Lifeways, Inc.
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Mid-Columbia Center for Living
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New Directions Northwest
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Symmetry Care
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Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness
EOCCO’s ownership group includes ODS Community Health (Moda Health), GOBHI, Good Shepherd Hospital, Grande Ronde Hospital, Saint Alphonsus Hospital, Saint Anthony Hospital, Eastern Oregon Independent Physicians Association, and Yakima Valley Farm Workers.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1994, GOBHI was established by rural Community Mental Health Program directors to strengthen behavioral health services through collaboration and cost-sharing. Our work is deeply rooted in community partnerships and locally driven solutions, particularly in rural and frontier Oregon.
We acknowledge the federally recognized tribes within our service area, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Burns Paiute Tribe, and respect tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
With the evolution of Oregon’s Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), GOBHI has expanded its programs to support health and wellness statewide through innovative prevention and intervention initiatives.
OUR MISSION
Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. is a rural/frontier behavioral health and social services network, empowering individuals and communities to achieve better health.
We envision strong, healthy communities where all individuals are supported in achieving health, wellness, and their full potential.
MEMBERS AND COMMUNITIES
MEMBER DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2024, GOBHI managed the care of 95,078 Oregon Health Plan members.
EOCCO membership over time
Cities with the most members:
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Hermiston 13,843
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Ontario 11,037
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Pendleton 7,564
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La Grande 6,487
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Baker City 4,856
Member density by zip code
Language
In 2024, 16.2% of members spoke Spanish as their primary language, compared to 14.3% in 2023.
82.9% spoke English as their primary language. The next largest group was Mam speakers—a language native to Guatemala and Mexico—with 222 members (0.2%). Other languages were spoken by 229 members.
Age
» Average age: 29.5 years
Race and Ethnicity
More demographic highlights
6.7%
Have a disability
52.4%
Female
47.6%
Male
COMMITMENT TO HEALTH EQUITY
Our mission is to build a health system that ensures every individual has the opportunity to achieve their full health potential and well-being. We are committed to removing barriers to care that hinder access and outcomes, with a focus on providing high quality services that meet the diverse needs of all communities.
GOBHI recognizes the unique challenges faced by residents of Eastern Oregon in accessing care and achieving positive health outcomes. By listening to and understanding the experiences of those we serve, we are able to deliver care that is responsive to the specific needs of each community.
Programs serving Tribal Nations
GOBHI actively collaborates with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and the Burns Paiute Tribe. Building and maintaining strong relationships with tribal nations is vital to enhancing behavioral health services in Eastern Oregon and is a core component of GOBHI’s mission, vision, and values.
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GOBHI’s Behavioral Health Workforce Campaign invites tribal representation on its steering committee, video materials, and job listings.
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We work with CTUIR as a contracted provider for non-emergent medical transportation and provide technical support.
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We seek representation at our Local Community Health Partnerships (LCHPs) and Community Advisory Council (CAC).
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Currently, we have a tribal member as a part of our CAC leadership.
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We collaborate in a tribal subcommittee where we listen to their needs, discuss how we can support them, and provide any educational information requested.
Programs Serving Latino/a Members
Providing culturally specific services, fostering inclusive care environments, and addressing the unique needs of the Latino/a families we serve are central to our mission.
GOBHI serves three of Oregon’s four counties with the highest percentage of Latino/a residents, and 31.7% of our members identify as Latino/a. Morrow, Malheur, and Umatilla counties are home to the largest Latino/a communities in Eastern Oregon, with Latino/a members representing 57.4%, 47.4%, and 41.4% of the CCO population in each county, respectively. Additionally, 16.3% of our members speak Spanish as their primary language (a 2% increase from 2023). GOBHI works closely with our network of providers across Eastern Oregon to ensure that Spanish-speaking members have access to both Spanish-speaking providers and
language services.
Through EOCCO’s Health Equity Plan, GOBHI is committed to better supporting the well-being of our Latino/a members. The plan’s goals include:
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Increasing cultural responsiveness training and education for providers, clinic staff, and the EOCCO workforce.
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Recruiting and supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the makeup of EOCCO membership.
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Improving access to language services for EOCCO members.
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Enhancing member engagement to address health and accessibility needs.
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Gaining a deeper understanding of population gaps and trends in care access.
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
OF HEALTH
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. By supporting patient and population well-being, investments addressing SDOH can improve patient outcomes, help manage healthcare costs, and support health equity.
Below, we compare data for the general population of EOCCO counties to Oregon as a whole.
Metric | EOCCO Counties | Oregon | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
Median household income (ACS5Y_S2503_2023)¹* | $62,733 | $80,426 | Economic Stability |
% Population below federal poverty level
(ACS5Y_S1701_2023)¹ | 14.20% | 11.90% | Economic Stability |
% Households spending at least 30% of income on housing (ACS5Y_S2503_2023)¹ | 25.70% | 33.70% | Economic Stability |
% Unemployed (Department of Employment - 2024 )4 | 4.30% | 4.10% | Economic Stability |
Average commute time ( Minutes )
(ACS5Y_B08522_2021)¹ | 18.3 | 23.2 | Neighborhood and Physical Environment |
Renter occupied housing units (ACS5Y_S2503_2023)¹ | 32.10% | 36.60% | Neighborhood and Physical Environment |
Owner occupied housing units (ACS5Y_S2503_2023)¹ | 67.90% | 63.40% | Neighborhood and Physical Environment |
Point in time homeless rates per 1000 (year: 2024 )5 | 4.05 | 3.98 | Neighborhood and Physical Environment |
# Reported crimes per 100,000 people (year: 2024)8 | 6,172 | 7,046 | Neighborhood and Physical Environment |
% Households with broadband internet subscription (ACS5Y_S2801_2023)¹ | 84.30% | 91.60% | Neighborhood and Physical Environment |
% 8th grade science proficiency ( 2023-2024 )7 | 22.70% | 26.40% | Education |
% 8th grade math proficiency ( 2023-2024 )7 | 22.30% | 25.90% | Education |
% 8th grade English proficiency ( 2023-2024 )7 | 39.30% | 40.60% | Education |
Oregon student dropout/pushout rate per 1000 students enrolled ( Dept of Education 2023-2024 )8 | 36.75 | 31.88 | Education |
% High school graduate (Dept of Education 2023-2024)9 | 80.90% | 81.80% | Education |
% Children in single parent households
(ACS5Y_DP02_2023)¹ | 6.30% | 5.40% | Community |
% of total population in labor force (Year: 2024)4 | 46.30% | 51.60% | Community |
% Uninsured (ACS5Y_2023 S2701)¹ | 7.30% | 6.20% | Health Care System |
Ratio of population to MDs³ | 335:1 | 314:1 | Health Care System |
Ratio of population to physicians assistants³ | 1,789:1 | 1,385:1 | Health Care System |
Ratio of population to dentists ² | 2,362:1 | 1,573:1 | Health Care System |
% Population with a disability (ACS5Y_S1810_2023) ¹ | 18.20% | 15.10% | Health Care System |
% Households receiving food stamps(ACS5Y_S2201_2023)¹ | 19.50% | 15.40% | Food |
*Median household income for EOCCO counties is a weighted median income average.
IMPACT AND INVESTMENTS
GOBHI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages diverse funding streams to strengthen care systems, improve health outcomes, and integrate physical, behavioral, and oral health services.
FUNDING AND FINANCES
GOBHI received a total of $105.1 million in funds in 2024. We are committed to empowering our communities to deliver the best possible care to our members through innovative funding approaches.
$91.1 million of the behavioral health funds received in 2024 was disbursed via monthly Per-Member-Per-Month payments, also known as “capitation payments,” to our contracted Community Mental Health Programs (CMHPs), based on the member populations they serve in each region. This model enables providers to dedicate more time to patient care while ensuring sustainable funding for critical behavioral health infrastructure throughout the year.
GOBHI’s 2024 Revenue Breakdown
Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Mental Health | $53,948,323 | 51% |
Substance Use Disorders | $17,123,759 | 16% |
Non-Emergent Medical Transportation | $12,566,588 | 12% |
Program Revenue | $9,340,311 | 9% |
Grant Revenue | $3,524,467 | 3% |
System of Care | $2,346,785 | 2% |
Assertive Community Treatment | $2,125,576 | 2% |
Applied Behavior Analysis | $2,017,074 | 2% |
Other | $1,062,045 | 1% |
Claims Administration | $821,476 | 1% |
Co-Occurring Disorders/Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services | $184,405 | <1% |
Child and Adolescents Needs and Strengths | $59,943 | <1% |
Total | $105,120,752 |
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
GOBHI is also incentivizing continued quality improvement within its network through a number of value-based payment arrangements with our contracted providers. In 2024, GOBHI established the following metrics:
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Increasing behavioral health access to services through three distinct access measures that reflect offering timely intakes, timely follow-up services following intake, and access to peer supports following discharge from acute care settings.
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Substance use disorder initiation, treatment, and engagement through encouraging coordination across the network of care providers for substance use treatment and helps ensure people have timely access to appropriate care.
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Ensuring behavioral health assessments for children in ODHS custody are timely through improved coordination with ODHS, foster parents, and EOCCO care coordinators resulting in completed assessments within 60 days.
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Increasing capacity for language access in order to meet the linguistic needs of members by engaging in and completing OHA approved translator training.
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Increases in proficient, qualified or certified interpreters to increase capacity for language access is critical to meeting the cultural and linguistic needs of members receiving services.
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Improving the quality of clinical documentation through the participation in GOBHI compliance trainings.
GOBHI providers achieved more metrics and earned more incentive bonus dollars than ever before, including three who met the challenging substance use disorder initiation, treatment, and engagement metric.
COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PLAN
Launched in 2021, GOBHI’s overarching Comprehensive Behavioral Health Plan (CBHP) is dedicated to improving behavioral health services throughout the region.
The plan includes three main focus areas of:
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Workforce Development
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Behavioral Health Network Development
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Housing Stability
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
GOBHI has undertaken several successful workforce development initiatives aimed at creating educational and career opportunities for behavioral health professionals in Eastern Oregon. These initiatives have significantly impacted the promotion of career opportunities for peers, Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA), and Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHP).
Eastern Oregon Behavioral Health Careers Website
In 2023, GOBHI launched a website (bhcareers.org) designed to promote career opportunities within the behavioral health sector. In 2024, the campaign expanded to feature video testimonials, photos, and resources that highlight the unique experience of living and working in beautiful Eastern Oregon. This initiative is a key part of GOBHI’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled professionals to the region.
Eastern Oregon Behavioral Health Workforce Development Consortium
In January, GOBHI’s HR department launched the Eastern Oregon Behavioral Health Workforce Development Consortium, a peer-led group of stakeholders in the behavioral health career development sector. This group includes employers, legislators, lobbyists, and educators who meet monthly to discuss strategies for advancing career opportunities in the behavioral health field. The consortium plays a pivotal role in building a strong and sustainable workforce for the region.
Behavioral Health Career Fairs and Conferences
To further spread awareness and attract talent, GOBHI participated in various career fairs and conferences throughout 2024. These included the Northwest Youth career fair, Healthcare job fair, the Eastern Oregon University career fair, the Eastern Oregon Workforce Board employer conference, the Oregon Council for Behavioral Health leadership conference, the EOCCO Summit, and the Association of Oregon Counties conference. These events provided opportunities to connect with potential candidates and showcase the benefits of working in the behavioral health field in Eastern Oregon.
Annual Peer Conference
GOBHI hosted the first annual Peer Conference in Eastern Oregon, a hallmark event dedicated to supporting and empowering peers in the behavioral health field. This event provided an opportunity for peer support specialists, as well as other professionals, to come together for networking, learning, and sharing best practices. This conference also promoted and celebrated peer specialists as a viable career path for those with lived experiences.
The annual Peer Conference is also a critical space for fostering a sense of community and support among peers, highlighting their crucial role in the recovery process. By providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, GOBHI ensures that peers are equipped with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their roles and continue making a meaningful impact on the individuals they serve.
NETWORK DEVELOPMENT
GOAL: EOCCO will ensure the provider network meets member needs by:
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Conducting an annual, comprehensive assessment with an accompanying strategic plan for the behavioral health network.
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Expanding outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services for adolescents.
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Expanding parent education and dyadic therapy services for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.
GOBHI has advanced behavioral health services and community engagement through CBHP investments.
We released a Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on behavioral health network development, awarding approximately $210,000 to projects including: expansion of Parent-Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT), free community Wi-Fi at an existing apartment complex, the launch of the Eastern Oregon Training Center for peer and community health worker training, and Spanish-language peer trainings in Eastern Oregon.
GOBHI hosted a training by DC:0-5 aimed to increase our capacity for meeting the needs of children 0-6 in alignment with the OHA initiative for Social Emotional Health to provide early assessments for children. We also more than doubled our Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) contracts, expanding into new regions.
These efforts improve access to essential behavioral health services in our rural and frontier communities.
HOUSING STABILITY
GOAL: By expanding the existing community collaboration model, coordinating efforts and resources, and maximizing opportunities for supported housing for members, EOCCO will assist the Eastern Oregon communities to:
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Improve access to supported housing.
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Improve housing conditions and reduce disparities for EOCCO members and their families experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability.
Since the release of our Housing Planning Funds RFA in 2022, we’ve awarded approximately $260,000 to support projects such as group home renovations and the development of emergency and transitional housing.
Our second Affordable Housing Summit brought together providers, experts, and community members to explore solutions to regional housing challenges. Ongoing Housing Coalition meetings, held every six weeks since April 2022, have featured timely presentations from housing providers, Community Action Agencies, and state representatives.
Through collaboration with the EOCCO Community Advisory Council and Local Community Health Partnerships, we’ve built essential relationships that strengthen funding efforts and support housing stability for individuals with behavioral health needs.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE ARRAY
GOBHI, on behalf of EOCCO, administers the behavioral health benefit for its Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members. The behavioral health benefit encompasses a wide array of mental health, substance use disorder (SUD), and social services aimed at improving the well-being of our members.
Overview
223,327
total services provided
27.3%
increase over 2023
Mental Health Services
Services Provided: 149,994
Members Served: 10,416
Substance Use Disorder Services
Services Provided:73,355
Members Served: 2,919
Adult Members Served: 8,631
Youth Members Served: 3,392
Behavioral Health Services Provided in 2024
Service Array Highlights
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Psychiatric residential treatment services for youth doubled in terms of members served and services provided.
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Intensive In-Home Behavioral Health Treatment (IIBHT) to youth increased 40% in terms of members served and 80% in terms of services provided.
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The number of members receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)services increased by 31% and the number of services those members received more than doubled.
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Mental health peer support services showed an increase of 31% for youth and 36% for adults.
NON-EMERGENT MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION (NEMT)
The NEMT program connects our members to physical, behavioral, and oral health care services. We partner with local transportation providers and volunteer drivers to coordinate free rides for Oregon Health Plan members to and from scheduled medical appointments.
GOBHI administers this program on behalf of EOCCO and serves members in the 12-county EOCCO region, as well as fee-for-service members in Hood River and Wasco counties.
2024 NEMT Highlights
6,067,865
Total miles driven
505,655
Average miles per month
138,516
Total rides provided
Call Center
GOBHI’s NEMT team
made or received
103,363
calls scheduling rides
On Average
43
calls per hour
CLINICAL SERVICES
GOBHI’s Clinical Services team assists members with addressing a variety of barriers and difficulties in their lives. The team works with human services organizations to accomplish this.
Care Management 2024 Highlights
Monitored and provided care management services for:
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29 members at the Oregon State Hospital
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49 members who were enrolled in a forensic program
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182 members who were a part of the civil
commitment process -
197 members who were voluntarily placed at an acute psychiatric hospital level of care
Opened 654 care coordination cases in Care Management
Utilization Management 2024 Highlights
Processed the following number of eating disorder treatment authorization requests:
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2 residential
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3 partial hospitalization
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4 intensive outpatient
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6 outpatient
Processed and reviewed for medical necessity 282 acute hospital and sub-acute authorization requests in 2024.
Care Management Complex Case Composite Example
The Care Management team assisted a sexual and gender minoritized person with multiple agency involvement in locating inpatient treatment options:
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No residential eating disorder beds were available in Oregon.
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The Care Management team worked with Utilization Management and Contracts to locate placement out of state.
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The Care Management team worked with NEMT for travel and assisted the family in locating flights, hotels, and coordinating admission to an out of state facility.
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The member received the level of care and treatment they needed in order to stabilize their eating disorder diagnosis.
Outcome:
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The member was discharged to a lower level of care and was able to continue eating disorder treatment in their community through telehealth services.
OUR PROGRAMS
For a list of updates from all of GOBHI's programs, please download the full 2024 annual report.
WORKFORCE CULTURE
At GOBHI, we believe that meaningful change in our communities starts with the people who serve them. That’s why we’re committed to building a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired. Whether working to improve behavioral health services, support child welfare, or strengthen rural communities, our employees bring compassion, dedication, and heart to everything they do—and we work hard to reflect those same values within our organization.
We foster a culture where collaboration, respect, and personal well-being are just as important as professional excellence. At GOBHI, you’ll find a team that cheers each other on, steps up for one another, and celebrates the big and small wins together.
To support our people, we offer competitive wages, remote work opportunities, best-in-class benefits, generous paid time off, and a dedicated community day of service. We know that when our employees thrive, our communities thrive, and we’re proud to offer a workplace where you can do meaningful work while also building a fulfilling life.
If you’re looking for a place where your passion can make a real difference, and where you’re truly seen, heard, and appreciated, GOBHI is the place for you.
GOBHI ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
CLOSING REMARKS
A heartfelt thank you to the GOBHI board of directors, staff, and our network of community partners.
We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you for your invaluable contributions to the success we’ve achieved this year.
As we reflect on the journey through 2024, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes and strengthening services across the diverse rural and frontier communities we serve. Through our shared efforts—rooted in collaboration, innovation, and dedication—we are building a more accessible, equitable, and resilient system.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue this important work alongside all of you in the year to come—supporting individuals, families, and communities throughout Eastern Oregon.
With gratitude,
Ann Ford, CEO