Behavioral Health

Northwest Oregon Works’ Behavioral Health Program Manager uses AI two-way language translator earpieces for all languages, during all meetings with participants and partners.

Oregon Behavioral Health Program Partnership with InterCommunity Health Network CCO

InterCommunity Health Network CCO (IHN-CCO) has been a pivotal partner in advancing our behavioral health initiatives since 2022. This collaboration has significantly enhanced our capacity to serve the community and develop skilled professionals in the field.

In 2022, IHN-CCO awarded us $250,000 to support 11 clinician-level participants. As our waitlist continued to grow, IHN-CCO furthered our partnership in 2023 by providing an additional $352,650. This funding supported 5 bachelor-level participants, 9 master-level participants, and 3 internship participants. Additionally, it included $25,000 designated for our Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling Apprenticeship Program, aimed at expanding access to supportive services for apprentices through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Equity and Innovation Program.

The success of our partnership led to a third round of funding in 2024, totaling $373,750. This funding is allocated to support 5 bachelor-level participants, 10 master-level participants, and 10 licensed clinicians focused on professional development through specialty training credentials, along with 3 internship participants.

Since the inception of our collaboration with IHN-CCO, we have been graciously awarded a total of $976,400. This substantial investment underscores their commitment to enhancing community mental health and fostering professional growth in the behavioral health sector.

We would like to highlight this remarkable partnership with InterCommunity Health Network CCO by recognizing them as our primary behavioral health partner and funder. Their support has been instrumental to Northwest Oregon Works and the Northwest Pathways Behavioral Health Upskilling Program.

Our team has diligently collaborated with two exceptional members of the IHN-CCO team: Todd Jeter and Karen Weiner. Both individuals have been strong advocates for these programs and have played an integral role in transforming the lives of nearly 100 participants through direct funding of IHN programs, and their efforts in providing Northwest Oregon Works with additional leveraged funds that provide our behavioral health apprentice participants with greater access to supportive services throughout their apprenticeship journey.

Scholarship Orientation

Our program now has a Discord Server!
This will be an awesome way for us to all stay connected! We have created Text Channels for all the programs we are supporting and a general space for all who wish to offer an encouragement or who have questions. This space is intended to be a way to connect in between support groups or if you cannot attend a support group!

If you’d like to join the discord channel and are part of the Behavioral Health Program, please email Kortnie here and she will send you the invite link.

See if you’re eligible to Apply

BH Partnerships

Northwest Oregon Works’ Behavioral Health Program Manager uses AI two-way language translator earpieces for all languages, during all meetings with participants and partners.

“I feel as though this has been extremely beneficial for my peace of mind, going into my masters program. Going into school and having to take out loans to live off of and also pay tuition was really stressful for me and made me feel like I was already going to be behind financially leaving my masters program. With this program, I get the opportunity to not only be supported mentally and emotionally throughout the program, but I get to leave the masters program knowing that I can start my life without the financial burdens of debt payback, and I can actually move forward with looking into buying a home and starting my family. I look forward to continuing to attend support groups and receive support one on one! Thanks so much for everything you all do! ” -Jackie MSW

Oregon Behavioral Health Program

Northwest Oregon Works (NOW) has been making significant strides in strengthening the behavioral health workforce across Benton, Lincoln, Tillamook, Columbia, and Clatsop Counties since 2021. Their efforts have primarily focused on upskilling professionals in rural and underserved communities, leveraging a series of grants and partnerships to achieve this goal.

In 2021, NOW received the HOWTO grant from the Oregon Health Authority, which became the cornerstone of their behavioral health workforce development initiative. This program has supported 32 participants across various levels of expertise, including clinicians, mid-level professionals, and entry-level workers. The high demand for this program quickly led to waitlists, particularly for clinician-level enrollments.

Building on this success, NOW expanded its reach in 2022 with the SAEEI grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. This grant facilitated the creation of the first BOLI-backed behavioral health apprenticeship program, supporting the CADC-I pathway and extending services to Linn County residents. In the same year, NOW secured its first round of funding from IHN, supporting 11 clinician-level participants.

The organization’s growth continued into 2023, with a second round of IHN funding supporting 17 participants across bachelor, master, and internship levels. This funding also provided additional support for SAEEI apprentices. Further expanding their reach, Col-Pac provided funding to support 10 more participants at the bachelor and master levels.

In 2024, NOW successfully implemented its third round of IHN funding, which has already served 28 participants. This includes support for bachelor and master-level students, as well as licensed clinicians expanding their professional development through specialty training. This consistent growth and diversification of funding sources demonstrate NOW’s ongoing commitment to addressing the evolving needs of the behavioral health workforce in Northwest Oregon.

Additionally, in 2023, NOW’s behavioral health sector underwent a significant transformation, officially rebranding as Northwest Pathways – A Behavioral Health Upskilling Program for Northwest Oregon Communities. This rebranding reflects the program’s evolution and its dedicated focus on creating clear pathways for behavioral health professionals in the region.

Through these initiatives and continuous growth, Northwest Pathways has established itself as a crucial force in addressing the behavioral health workforce needs of Northwest Oregon. By providing targeted support, fostering partnerships, and adapting to the changing landscape of mental health care, the program is not only filling critical gaps in the workforce but also elevating the quality of behavioral health services across the region. As Northwest Pathways continues to evolve and expand its reach, it stands poised to make an even greater impact on the communities it serves, ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all residents of Northwest Oregon.

For more information on the Behavioral Health Career Pathway Program contact Kortnie Williams at Kortnie@nworegonworks.org.

CADC Apprenticeship Program

Scholarship Orientation

Sarah Soric, Owner, and Her Amazing Team at Dynamic Self Recovery, Albany: Northwest Oregon Works 2024 Apprenticeship Employer Recognition Program Winner!

Please feel free to download the app using this Link.

See if you’re eligible to Apply

Testimonials

“I feel as though this has been extremely beneficial for my peace of mind, going into my masters program. Going into school and having to take out loans to live off of and also pay tuition was really stressful for me and made me feel like I was already going to be behind financially leaving my masters program. With this program, I get the opportunity to not only be supported mentally and emotionally throughout the program, but I get to leave the masters program knowing that I can start my life without the financial burdens of debt payback, and I can actually move forward with looking into buying a home and starting my family. I look forward to continuing to attend support groups and receive support one on one! Thanks so much for everything you all do! ”

Jackie , MSW

“I can’t express the amount of gratitude I have for the program at NW Oregon Works. Not only have I been supported financially providing me the opportunity to access trainings and text books to add to my education, I feel supported in the skills I am learning to better the services I provide for the population I work with. The women respond promptly and are available. I have enjoyed my time in the program so far and look forward to the future and what it brings.”

Merideth , CADC

“I am incredibly grateful that this grant has been made available, especially for those of us who are members of traditionally marginalized communities. There are a lot of benefits that this has provided for me personally. Of course, covering the cost of the additional courses I needed in order to pursue licensure as an LPC is undeniably a big part of this grant. Equally as important to the financial aspect, is being provided direct and open access to mentors, support groups, and other professionals in this field working in various regions across Oregon. Folx who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, or disabled frequently struggle to find experienced and qualified individuals who are willing to mentor us and having this built into the grant has helped me feel connected and supported in this work. Along with this, I’ve really enjoyed the ability to connect with others working in the field who are following a similar trajectory that I did to apply for the LPC. Prior to being selected for the grant, I believed that I must be the only one out there who was following a non-traditional course to licensing. I have found that it is actually not an uncommon process at all, which is both validating and encouraging. This grant is absolutely the reason I am able to pursue this professional pathway and I really hope it continues to be available to support others who need it!”

Destinie , QMHP

“I can’t express the amount of gratitude I have for the program at NW Oregon Works. Not only have I been supported financially providing me the opportunity to access trainings and text books to add to my education, I feel supported in the skills I am learning to better the services I provide for the population I work with. The women respond promptly and are available. I have enjoyed my time in the program so far and look forward to the future and what it brings.”

Christopher , CADC/MSW

“This program has helped me stay afloat. Thus far I have utilized $600.00 of my grant towards gasoline for my vehicle and groceries. Without the help I’m not sure what we would have done. Knowing I can reach out for some type of assistance has prevented me from applying to other jobs, where I will make a little less of an income in a different field. I don’t qualify state or federal assistance, so the helping hand is greatly appreciated. Also having the space to communicate with others who understand this journey is unmatched. ”

Miranda , QMHA