County signs MOU to use 15 emergency beds at Salem Navigation Center; commissioners press for denial-tracking and prescreening clarity

The Marion County Board of Commissioners on June 11 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) to allow law enforcement to use 15 emergency beds at the Salem Navigation Center for law-enforcement-assisted diversions and short-term sheltering of people experiencing homelessness.

Under-sheriff Jay Bergman and Commander Jason Bernards explained the MOU is intended to provide a short-term safe space where officers can bring people who might otherwise be unsheltered and in need of behavioral-health supports. Bergman said the county has been negotiating the agreement for several years and that the MOU formalizes a shared goal of sheltering individuals in a non-emergency crisis.

Board discussion focused on operational details and safeguards. Commissioners asked whether Marion County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) or qualified mental-health professionals (QMHP/QMHA) would be able to prescreen individuals with acute behavioral-health needs before placement. County staff did not confirm prescreening language was in the MOU; commissioners requested follow-up with Navigation Center administrators and recommended specifying prescreening capability and process.

Commissioners also raised concern about a clause allowing the Navigation Center to deny access to an individual “for any reason regardless of meeting eligibility requirements.” Commissioners requested that denials be tracked and reported. Commander Bernards said the sheriff’s office will document entries of who is accepted and who is denied and will log those events on a control log; Commissioner comments asked that the sheriff notify the board early if denials become frequent so the MOU can be revisited.

Commissioner remarks noted the county had invested approximately $3,000,000 of ARPA funds to get the Navigation Center operating and that commissioners and staff have expected law-enforcement access to beds to support crisis diversion. Commissioners said the delay in establishing written terms had been a source of frustration and emphasized the need for prompt data sharing and collaboration to make the resource useful to both clients and officers.

Ending: The board approved the MOU by voice vote. Commissioners directed staff to follow up on prescreening language and to provide timely information to the board if denials or operational barriers arise.