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Clatsop Behavioral Health seeks school-based SUD counselor, in-person Spanish navigator
Summary
CBH leaders described plans to expand youth substance use disorder supports in schools, build peer outreach, and pursue a bilingual, in-person Spanish navigator to improve access for Spanish-speaking residents; CBH also said its staffing has grown substantially in recent years.
Clatsop Behavioral Health (CBH) staff told the Human Services Advisory Council on February 6 that youth substance use disorder (SUD) services and Spanish-language access are primary organizational priorities.
Shira, a CBH representative, said the agency wants to place a rotating SUD counselor or psychoeducation/treatment position across school districts to provide confidential, on-site services. "I would love to have secured funding for I just want 1 position to start with who I will rotate through the different school districts in the county, and build from there," she said.
CBH said it already has seven peer staff who are eager to work with schools on informal outreach (for example, attending lunch periods to build trust) and that some peer activities could proceed without additional funding if operational relationships with schools are established.
Language access: Shira said CBH is working to improve Spanish-language access: the agency has translated documents and its website and is pursuing funding through CPCCO (Columbia Pacific Coordinated Care Organization) for a full-time, in-person Spanish-speaking bilingual navigator. She said prior translation support was largely virtual third-party interpretation and that an in-person navigator would better support relationship-building and navigation of services.
Organizational capacity and partnerships: Shira noted CBH has grown from roughly 65 employees nine years ago to about 150 today and said the agency has added leadership and quality roles to track metrics and improve clinical care. Council members congratulated CBH on a recent groundbreaking for permanent supportive housing, which staff said will address local housing needs.
Next steps: CBH will continue to pursue funding for a rotating SUD counselor and for a Spanish-language navigator; staff will operationalize relationships with school districts and leverage existing peer staff for initial outreach.
