GOBHI Providers Behavioral Health Newsletter September 2026
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2027 Civil Commitment Summit
Mark your calendars for the 2027 Oregon Civil Commitment Summit, taking place May 6–7, 2027, at the Salem Convention Center in Salem, Oregon. This year’s summit will center on the theme “Clarity, Coordination, and Care, Across Oregon’s Civil Commitment System.”
The summit will bring together partners from across Oregon’s civil commitment and crisis systems to strengthen understanding, improve communication and coordination, and support more consistent, compassionate, and person-centered practices. The in-person event will feature workshops focused on practical insights, examples, and strategies that attendees can take back to their counties, agencies, and teams.
Workshop Presenters Wanted
We’re currently seeking presenters to lead 60-minute workshops at the 2027 summit. Proposals are welcome from a variety of perspectives, including legal, clinical, crisis response, hospital coordination, courtroom practice, and lived experience. Potential topics include civil commitment law and policy, evaluation and documentation, crisis pathways, cross-system communication, trauma-informed approaches, cultural humility, conditional release, and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT).
Workshop proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, November 13, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the OCBHJI Conference Workgroup Committee.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in supporting the 2027 Oregon Civil Commitment Summit as a sponsor? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact civilcommitment@gobhi.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Questions about the summit, workshops, or sponsorships can also be directed to civilcommitment@gobhi.org.
2027 Oregon Civil Commitment Summit📅 May 6–7, 2027📍 Salem Convention Center200 Commercial Street SE, Salem, OR🎯 Theme: Clarity, Coordination, and Care, Across Oregon’s Civil Commitment System
Learn at OCBH's Essentials Academy
Looking to earn continuing education credits while strengthening your behavioral health knowledge? The Oregon Council for Behavioral Health's Essentials Academy offers a series of virtual trainings covering key topics such as ethics, suicide prevention, cultural competence, implicit bias, and social determinants of health. Designed for behavioral health professionals, the trainings provide practical, evidence-informed learning opportunities that support high-quality, person-centered care while helping participants meet CEU requirements. Learn more and register by visiting the OCBH Essentials Academy.
2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference Recap
The 2026 Oregon Peer Workforce Conference was a tremendous success, bringing together peers, behavioral health providers, community partners, and advocates from across Oregon to connect, learn, and celebrate the vital role of peer support in our behavioral health system.
The conference created opportunities for attendees to share knowledge and lived experience, build meaningful connections, and explore strategies for strengthening Oregon’s peer workforce. The enthusiasm and engagement throughout the event highlighted the value of peer-delivered services and the unique perspectives peers bring to individuals, families, and communities.
Thank you to the presenters, planning team, volunteers, partners, and everyone who attended and contributed to making this year’s conference such a success. The connections and ideas shared at the conference will help carry this important work forward as we continue working together to build a stronger, more person-centered behavioral health system across Oregon.
GOBHI Has Moved!
Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI) has officially relocated its administrative office to 412 Washington Street, The Dalles, OR 97058. Our new downtown location reflects GOBHI's continued growth and commitment to serving communities across Eastern Oregon. Please update your records with our new address. Our phone numbers, email addresses, and services remain unchanged, and we look forward to continuing our partnership from our new home.
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
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
Email: appointments@gobhi.org
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:
Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSMP)
Grief and Caregiver Support Groups
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives (PEARLS)
Senior Planet (AARP Senior Technology Lectures and Workshops)
Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE)
Age, Memory and Death Cafes
Oregon Advance Directive
Getting to Know Dementia and other Dementia Caregiver Topics
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!
Website: gobhi.org/foster-care
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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