[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6497012,"mediaKeyId","5499901-f5e18758a67a8d2e1a7846082493d126","parentId",5499901,"title","Lane County commissioners authorize purchase of Springfield site for stabilization center and 96‑bed psychiatric hospital","audioSeconds",2788,"startMs",3177000,"endMs",5965000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499901-f5e18758a67a8d2e1a7846082493d126&start=3177&end=5965","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499901-f5e18758a67a8d2e1a7846082493d126/thumbnail_3177000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6497012/Lane-County/Oregon/Lane-County-commissioners-authorize-purchase-of-Springfield-site-for-stabilization-center-and-96bed-psychiatric-hospital","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497012-c17e0700c41375d9899a361dcfc9731b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509793&Signature=jWDIbEKStFMS3CwtUgRnja~YYIWvAMACKG0pZTarsVY1opYHkkhQcL7ORu9Ry0etlEoTvb0rTyG0StwURAz86ukjtm9L~W301DtQGumczz2nkKcrfzP70Ezt1g3txatZPDrSuX1o0CiaS77oUusTqZJtOQt1ZbvWBvbXebKq8YDrvv4VVWxX7I9t2STnEqK4T4JuxZYXSM6zbW4yzCBoGGZuhxCrcbS6X0qWS3YIHXSYu8ZMRArRtgump1bFPWagoIQq4uVzqOG8IwUlHtilDQYOuEWcpzvzLFwol~bqTn-fcvUiVHjHTzrsaCamTVJaLgOncVj3w5FASsmQa3-p6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lane County, OR","date","2025-07-25T20:23:28Z","article","Lane County commissioners on July 29 authorized the county administrator to complete purchase of a parcel on International Way in Springfield for a co‑located Lane Stabilization Center and a proposed 96‑bed inpatient psychiatric hospital, a move county staff said is needed to advance the project and allow PeaceHealth to pursue a certificate of need for inpatient services.

The authorization, presented as board order 25‑07‑29‑08, came after staff summarized property due diligence — including a Phase I environmental site assessment, a threatened and endangered species review, geotechnical work, an ALTA/NSPS land survey and transportation and traffic analyses — and after public testimony from PeaceHealth clinicians and administrators urging swift approval. David Ward, Lane County capital planning and facilities manager, told the board staff found “no objections to the purchase of this property for the development of the lane stabilization center and Timber Springs inpatient facility.”

The project drew repeated public support from PeaceHealth staff. Joan Tompkins, director of behavioral health at PeaceHealth Medical Group, said the co‑located campus “won't be just a facility. It will be a lifeline,” and that colocating a stabilization center with an acute psychiatric hospital would “allow for seamless transitions between levels of care.” Emergency physician Sarah Coleman, representing Eugene Emergency Physicians, told commissioners she and emergency department staff “are begging you — we need help,” describing patients boarded for days or weeks in hospital EDs while awaiting behavioral‑health placement. Alicia Beamer, chief administrative officer at PeaceHealth RiverBend, said finalizing the land purchase would allow PeaceHealth to submit a letter of intent for a certificate of need and move the hospital proposal forward.

Commissioners said they weighed the urgent community need against local concerns raised by nearby residents and city officials. Several commissioners urged additional outreach to Springfield elected officials and neighbors before the project advances through later land‑use steps, and asked staff to continue coordinated work with Springfield staff. Commissioner Buck described the vote as an opportunity to “make a meaningful impact” for a regional facility; Vice Chair Seneca said she was “100% on board” while emphasizing the need for careful partnership with the City of Springfield. Chair Lavelle said she supported the project’s goals but dissented from approving the purchase that day, citing remaining neighborhood engagement and information needs: “I’m gonna have to not support this motion going forward,” she said on the dais.

Commissioner Trigger moved the order authorizing the purchase; Commissioner Buck seconded. Commissioners Trigger, Buck, Vice Chair Seneca and Commissioner Farr voted in favor; Chair Lavelle cast the lone no vote. Staff and PeaceHealth representatives told the board the county's due‑diligence deadline for depositing escrow funds is August 4 under the current purchase agreement but staff expected they could request a brief extension, and that completion of the purchase is a prerequisite for PeaceHealth to file for the certificate of need for the inpatient hospital.

Board and staff discussion focused on: the need for continued outreach to Springfield elected officials and neighbors; traffic and infrastructure coordination with the city and with ODOT on the Gateway Belt Line interchange; floodplain and FEMA considerations for the parcel and which portions would be subject to Springfield floodplain regulations; and a coordinated security and operations plan between PeaceHealth and service partners (Connections, LifePoint and the county). Anne Davies, assistant county counsel, told the board superseding action on the parcel would not remove the parcel from applicable floodplain regulations and that existing Springfield floodplain rules still apply.

PeaceHealth speakers described project benefits beyond behavioral‑health capacity: reduced ED boarding and faster connection to appropriate levels of care, better coordination with law enforcement and mobile crisis teams, and potential regional benefits for urban and rural residents. Cliff Harrell, manager of security services for PeaceHealth and former Lane County sheriff, urged approval and said the proposed location offered “easy accessibility and ability for both the stabilization center and the new psychiatric hospital to be colocated.”

The board authorized the county administrator to complete the purchase. Staff noted next steps include continuing the scheduled development information meeting with Springfield, addressing issues that arise in that process, and returning to the board with updates and any required agreements or memoranda of understanding.

The decision allows PeaceHealth to proceed with actions tied to ownership: after the county closes, PeaceHealth intends to submit a letter of intent for the hospital’s certificate of need and to continue coordination with community partners on design, security and operations. Commissioners and staff emphasized that additional land‑use approvals, annexation steps with Springfield and building permits remain to be completed before construction can begin.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Morning Meeting: July 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lane County commissioners on July 29 authorized the county administrator to complete purchase of a parcel on International Way in Springfield for a co‑located Lane Stabilization Center and a proposed 96‑bed inpatient psychiatric hospital.","taxTitle","Lane County, Oregon","taxId",2761,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6497007,"Lane County deflection program reports early results: 210 people referred since October launch; navigators and housing cited as key",3238,8217000,11455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499901-f5e18758a67a8d2e1a7846082493d126&start=8217&end=11455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499901-f5e18758a67a8d2e1a7846082493d126/thumbnail_8217000.jpg","/articles/6497007/Lane-County/Oregon/Lane-County-deflection-program-reports-early-results-210-people-referred-since-October-launch-navigators-and-housing-cited-as-key","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497007-13e2626570d14a3d5ea582a34504000e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509793&Signature=kvz4lJsWIZ4FR3fuakozIW1~kKJl0RmvVAwTVSAbEMFYbqiO3Ht6ScFw~KaIsxtSfodPHomU45~bcqtmWOqWxQneigOsHYsOFSoaPVFrR7zJJmGH8zc7c99LscIlJ-6DZ0onzSRcF3V9YfP3nt4PqlsY7cY0EOOlKmjj~BjNHQ7mCh6CiMoxvdluu0tdeauTSt7u~6LqlR3wqNKPLbknVRn2Goug0s5UCr32FCeHazTTj8s-R0XicQQqYZQ50kPLNQGUeUfUkkmRGzKihZGn25op-1pJeWWxXDVFcBPQ~S7j4283jgbGG9sCrevBCsctP78jX1NIaLwl7ZHmX7KnXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lane County officials on July 29 gave an update on the county’s deflection program — a law‑enforcement‑linked pathway that diverts people with suspected behavioral‑health or substance‑use needs away from booking and into treatment and housing resources. The county launched the program in October 2024 and has recorded 210 people entered into the program, 68 currently active participants and 16 successful completions, officials said.

Clint Riley, the county’s deflection program manager, described the field process. When an officer encounters a person who meets program eligibility — low‑level offenses, drug possession, trespass, disorderly conduct or situations where officers identify a treatment need even when no crime has been committed — officers may offer a deflection referral. “If the person agrees to go into deflection, law enforcement leaves, and the navigator takes it from there,” Riley said, describing a warm handoff to peer navigators who meet the person on scene or shortly afterward.

Riley and partners credited two contracted providers — Ideal Option and Revelry — for 24/7 peer navigators and for emergency shelter temporarily placed at Reveille that allow immediate housing and a rapid next step into detox or residential care. The county’s contract managers said the most important meeting is the next‑day navigator intake, where a person‑centered plan is developed and case management begins.

The program’s quantitative snapshot: 210 people entered; 68 active; 16 completed successfully (completion requires at least 90 days engaged); 128 people were removed from the program for reasons including lack of contact; average days before removal was 63 and average days for people successfully completing the program was about 131 days. Riley said roughly 30 percent of referrals began as “no‑crime” referrals where officers identified a need for help but did not have probable cause for arrest.

District Attorney Chris Perosa and lane County officials highlighted law‑enforcement buy‑in. Paul Solomon, criminal‑justice consultant and chair of the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), told the board Lane County’s model is unusually broad: “Lane County is barely unique in the number of offenses beyond possession of a controlled substance that they’re allowing in the program,” he said, adding that broad eligibility and warm handoffs help the county reach people a narrower program would miss.

Funding and the state’s new program structure were a major policy focus. Speakers described legislation that reorganized criminal‑justice grant programs and created a new CJC‑administered grant model that will allocate an initial tranche of funding by formula and then award additional funds competitively based on adherence to statewide “best practices” (warm handoffs, peer navigators, housing, law‑enforcement participation). Paul Solomon and county administrators said the county is well positioned under the new rules because its program already meets those practices, but they cautioned that details of invoicing or reimbursement will matter: the county’s two major contracts rely on predictable front‑end funding, and a reimbursement model could create operational risk.

Officials said data collection and evaluation are central to sustaining and growing the program. The county is producing a live dashboard (updated as DA case data are entered) that shows referrals by ZIP code and month and allows staff to track outcomes and participant demographics. The county also contracted with Oregon Social Learning Center for qualitative evaluation interviews with participants, providers, navigators and law enforcement to identify what is working and why.

Speakers emphasized early outcomes beyond arrest avoidance: reconnection with family supports, movement to stable housing and steps toward employment or continued treatment once engaged. Commissioners praised the cross‑sector partnerships; several asked staff to continue reporting measurable outcomes and to share disaggregated results with state lawmakers as the CJC implements the new funding model.

Participants and providers said the program’s combination of immediate housing, peer navigators with lived experience, and law‑enforcement willingness to make warm referrals is a key driver of early results. The board received the update and directed staff and program partners to continue reporting monthly operational metrics and the qualitative evaluation results to the board and to the Criminal Justice Commission.","County staff and partners presented a mid‑year update on the deflection program launched in October 2024. The program has recorded 210 referrals (including 30% with no charge at referral), 68 active participants and 16 successful completions; staff credited peer navigators, rapid housing placement and broad law‑enforcement participation.","actionData","errors"]

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Lane County commissioners authorize purchase of Springfield site for stabilization center and 96‑bed psychiatric hospital

Lane County deflection program reports early results: 210 people referred since October launch; navigators and housing cited as key