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Residents and County Employees Urge Board Not to Cut School-Based Mental Health Programs
Summary
Multiple public commenters — including a county mental-health consultant, a veteran peer specialist and a school-based counselor — told commissioners that proposed budget cuts to Multnomah County school-based mental health and K-12 programs would remove critical supports for trans youth, BIPOC students and families.
Several speakers during public testimony urged the Board of County Commissioners not to cut Multnomah County's school-based mental health programs and related K-12 services in proposed budget planning.
C Bondurant, a Multnomah County employee and the county's LGBTQ+ mental health consultant within Behavioral Health Direct Clinical Services, said cuts would disproportionately harm trans youth, many of whom are BIPOC, immigrant or refugee. "School-based staff provide a safe place for trans youth to show up as their complete selves," Bondurant said, and warned that losing services would increase suicide risk for vulnerable students.
Aaron Barrow, a David Douglas parent, longtime peer specialist and former school board member, described his family's experience: county counselors provided one-to-one help for his son and taught parents coping skills during the pandemic. Barrow said school districts lack sufficient psychologists and counselors—citing ratios such as two psychologists for 6,000 students in his district—and said county-funded counselors filled critical gaps.
Kate Thomas, a nearly 20-year county counselor who works with K-12 and noted the growth of culturally specific providers to nearly 60% BIPOC within the program, said cuts would remove services aimed at marginalized students who "aren't ready to trust" white providers. She said K-12 case management and culturally specific referrals help families access rental assistance, clothing and other supports.
Each speaker asked the board to preserve funding for school-based mental health and K-12 support programs. Commissioners did not take action during the public-comment period; the issue was raised as part of the broader FY26 budget discussion.
