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GOBHI Providers Behavioral Health Newsletter March 2026

  • 5 hours ago
  • 7 min read

Registration is Open for the 2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference

Registration is now open for the Oregon Peer Workforce Conference 2026! We’re excited to bring the peer community together once again for learning, connection, and inspiration.


This year’s theme, “The Power of Us: Fostering Belonging,” highlights the strength of peer support and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels valued, connected, and supported. The conference will feature a keynote presentation from Elliott Hinkle of Unicorn Solutions, along with engaging sessions designed to support and strengthen the peer workforce across Oregon.


We are also seeking presenters who can share their experiences, insights, and innovative practices that uplift the peer support community. If you have knowledge or stories that could inspire others in the field, we encourage you to submit a proposal.


Register now to take advantage of early-bird pricing! You can also submit a proposal to present.


2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference

August 20-21, 2026

Pendleton Convention Center


We look forward to gathering with peers, providers, and partners from across the state to celebrate the power of community and belonging.

Register for the NW Regional CIT Conference

Registration is now open for the Northwest Regional CIT Conference 2026, a two-day event bringing together professionals who are committed to improving crisis response and strengthening collaboration across our communities. If you work in a field where crisis intervention may occur—or simply want to better understand how communities can respond to crisis with compassion and effectiveness—this conference is for you.


The 2026 theme, “Crisis to Connection: Restoring Safety, Dignity, and Hope,” highlights the importance of building systems that support individuals in crisis while fostering partnership between behavioral health providers, first responders, advocates, and community organizations.


Attendees can expect:

  • Inspiring keynote presentations from leaders in crisis intervention

  • Interactive breakout sessions focused on practical tools and strategies

  • Networking opportunities with professionals from across the region

  • An awards banquet honoring individuals and programs making a difference in crisis response


Whether you’re a first responder, behavioral health professional, crisis worker, advocate, or community partner, this conference offers valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and strengthen crisis intervention efforts in the Northwest.


Learn more and register here: https://www.ocbhji.org/nwcit2026

Family Search and Engagement Services

GOBHI partners with Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare to provide relative search and engagement services that support relationship permanency for children and youth. Services include identifying and engaging birth family members and other supportive adults, developing comprehensive contact lists and family trees and genograms, supporting appropriate family contact, and facilitating family meetings when appropriate or necessary to promote stability and long-term support regardless of placement.


Services are time-limited, typically provided for up to six months, and are available to children and youth of any age with permanency plans of reunification, adoption, guardianship, or APPLA.


Who Can Be Referred?

  • Children and youth of any age in the care and custody of ODHS child welfare

  • Permanency plans may include reunification, adoption, guardianship, or APPLA


Priority Populations for Referrals:

  • Children in non-relative care within 3–9 months of entering substitute care who need relative search and engagement support

  • Children in substitute care with higher needs, including BRS, QRTP, or extended time in care

  • Children in non-relative care with no identified relatives or supports after unsuccessful diligent search efforts


*We only accept referrals from ODHS staff.


Questions? Contact familysearch@gobhi.org

2026 EOCCO Grants: Applications Now Open


Supporting Health for All through Reinvestment (SHARE)

Grant type: Local Community Health Partnership (LCHP)

Amount available: Varies by county

Applications due: April 3, 5:00 pm PT


The SHARE application is designed to provide funding to projects addressing Social

Determinants of Health and Equity (SDOH-E). SDOH-E projects include those related to

housing, economic stability, neighborhood and built environment, education, social and

community health, and healthcare access and quality.


Applications are reviewed by the Local Community Health Partnership (LCHP) for the county

the project is based in. Projects must meet SHARE requirements and demonstrate alignment

with community priorities identified in EOCCO’s Community Health Improvement Plan 2025-

2029. LCHP projects should be designed to be one year, with the possibility to apply for an

extension.


Eligibility: Any organization delivering SDOH-E related services or programs, or supports

policy and systems change in EOCCO’s service area, is eligible to apply. Examples of SDOH-E

partner organizations include nonprofit social and human service organizations, culturally

specific organizations, public health authorities, health clinics, and more.


Informational sessions: The GOBHI Field Team will be holding two informational sessions for

interested applicants.


  • March 11, 12:00-1:00 pm PT: Register here-


For more information, and to apply: Email the GOBHI Field Team at

OHA Memorandum: New Residential and Withdrawal Management Reporting Requirements into Oregon Behavioral Health Capacity System (OBCS)

Beginning May 1, 2026, OBCS will become the official platform for reporting all licensed adult mental health residential (SRTF, RTF, RTH) and SUD residential and withdrawal management capacity data, and Lines for Life capacity reporting will be discontinued. OBCS provides real-time visibility into statewide bed availability, an essential tool for ensuring timely placements.


To ensure a smooth transition to OBCS for capacity reporting, all providers must begin the onboarding process with OBCC no later than February 3, 2026. Although providers have until May 1, 2026 to switch reporting to OBCS, we encourage you to get fully onboarded as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time for the transition and to resolve any technical difficulties before Lines for Life reporting is officially discontinued.


Once providers are fully onboarded and have consistently reported into OBCS for two weeks (either through manual entry or automated entry), they may discontinue reporting to Lines for Life. This phased approach is critical to ensure that referral agents and providers have full, uninterrupted access to bed capacity data. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience that duplicative reporting may cause during your two-week transition period.


Providers may contact Aaron Kerr, OBCC Operations Manager, with any questions and to begin the onboarding process, via the OHSU General Mailbox: obcc@ohsu.edu.


Talk to Our Behavioral Health Navigator: Here to Support Your Path to Care

GOBHI is pleased to announce the addition of a Behavioral Health Navigator – a role designed to improve coordination of care and help individuals access behavioral health services more easily than ever.


Our navigator is here to:


  • Help members connect to and schedule behavioral health appointments.

  • Serve as a direct contact for primary care providers and emergency departments to arrange behavioral health support for members in real time.


This service strengthens timely access to care and supports individuals in navigating the behavioral health system with confidence.


Contact:

Sean Ross

Behavioral Health Navigator

Phone: 541-209-6488


If you or someone you support needs help connecting to behavioral health services, please reach out. We’re here to help.


Additional Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative (OABHI) Trainings

For individuals in behavioral health working or interested in working with older adults, there are upcoming training sessions. GOBHI’s OABHI team provides a variety of workforce training and community education. Look at https://www.gobhi.org/oabhi/training for a list of trainings.


Community Education:


Contact the GOBHI OABHI team at oabhi@gobhi.org with questions.

2026 Lunch and Learn Training Opportunities

🍽️ Learn Something New Over Lunch! Join us for GOBHI’s 2026 Lunch & Learn Series — bite-sized trainings offering 1 free CEU each month!


🗓️ Every 3rd Thursday | 12–1 PM PT Tune in (camera optional!) while you eat, earn a CEU, and connect with peers as GOBHI experts dive into timely, relevant topics for your work.

Check out upcoming sessions and register at the links below!



Program update - Foster Care

Help Change a Life — Become a Foster Care Champion!


Eastern Oregon is in urgent need of foster homes for youth — and you can make a difference.

GOBHI’s Therapeutic Foster Care program supports youth involved with Oregon DHS Child Welfare by placing them with caring, trained foster families. We offer both full-time and part-time options, and provide all the support foster parents need to succeed.


Even if you’re not ready to foster, you can still help! 

✨ Share the word 

✨ Refer someone who might be a great fit 

✨ Promote the power of foster care in your community


Together, we can build a stronger network of supportive homes for Oregon’s youth.

Learn more about referral incentives and how you can help here. 📩 Or reach out to our Foster Care Team today!


Program update - Triple P Parenting

Bring Proven Parenting Support to Your Community! Looking to offer a powerful, evidence-based parenting program? GOBHI’s Triple P – Positive Parenting Program offers flexible options to meet your community’s unique needs.


Classes are available in English and Spanish for parents and caregivers of children ages 0–18, led by trained and compassionate practitioners.


Interested in partnering? Reach out to Chelsea Maranville to explore contracting options and get started: 📞 541-314-3189 | 📧 cmaranville@gobhi.org



Helpful Links

Read official messages from GOBHI leadership and hear about important training opportunities including the ABA Lunch and Learn. 



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