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Marion County approves $9.5 million Oregon Health Authority grant for addiction treatment and recovery services
Summary
The Marion County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an incoming funds agreement with the Oregon Health Authority for $9.5 million to support screenings, peer support and substance use disorder treatment from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on June 25 approved an incoming funds grant agreement with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) totaling $9,500,000 to support drug addiction treatment and recovery services in Marion County from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
Carol Hurd, addiction treatment services division director with Marion County Health and Human Services, told commissioners that the award followed advocacy at the state level and a reconsideration by the Oregon Accountability and Oversight Committee. Hurd said the revised award of $9.5 million was higher than an earlier proposed allocation and will fund screenings, behavioral-health needs assessments, peer support services and substance-use-disorder treatment for uninsured and underinsured residents who receive services through the county system.
Hurd described the award as a reduction from previous grant levels but substantially larger than the initially proposed allocation. Commissioners asked for additional detail on how the funds will be allocated across program “buckets,” and Hurd agreed to provide more granular breakdowns beyond the budget attachment. Commissioners and staff noted the award is funded from cannabis tax dollars, referencing Measure 110 (2020) and legislative changes including House Bill 4002 in the discussion of funding sources.
Commissioners praised local advocacy that led to the revised award and raised concern about community partners that lost funding during the reconsideration process; Hurd and commissioners identified Bridgeway as an example of a provider that recently ended a youth program. Commissioners discussed coordination with law enforcement, the district attorney and local providers as the county implements services.
The board voted without recorded roll call; the motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor.
The county will use the grant for direct treatment services and related supports. Hurd said the county has prioritized rapid response when people call for services and that the flexibility of these funds allows support for residents who have commercial insurance but face gaps in coverage for addiction treatment.
The agreement is effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029.
