CARES building opens; Polk County partners note staffing gaps and funding uncertainty for victim services
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Summary
County Health & Human Services reported a Sept. 30 grand opening of the CARES building housing crisis, peer support and behavioral health programs but noted staff shortages; Liberty House and Sable House provided updates on funding and service levels, including Sable House serving 880 unduplicated clients last fiscal year.
Health & Human Services staff reported a grand opening for Polk County's CARES building on Sept. 30 that houses behavioral-health resources, peer support and a crisis program with a separate crisis entrance.
"We had our grand opening for our CARES Building on the September 30, and that went really well," Jennifer said, describing the building—s programs and noting current staff shortages: two people out on extended leave and two vacant positions the department intends to recruit for (QMHP and QMHA classifications were named for recruitment).
Jennifer said Mark Davis joined the crisis team and is focusing on people with substance-use issues, helping link individuals to detox and residential services. The department also announced it will host ADEPT CIT advanced training March 11–13 (for officers who have completed prior CIT training) and is awaiting word on funding for system trainings to certify up to 75 first responders across Polk, Marion and possibly Yamhill counties.
Service providers said funding pressures remain. Liberty House reported funding was restored for the coming year but cautioned about future reductions; the organization said it had to streamline after cuts and remains down about 28% in budget and staff while maintaining productivity. Sable House said its recent grant reductions were less than anticipated and it has maintained staffing while recruiting for a shelter advocate and a housing case manager; Sable reported serving 880 unduplicated clients last fiscal year across hotline, shelter, legal advocacy and housing assistance.
No new contractual or statutory changes were recorded at the meeting; presenters described staffing, recruitment and training plans and asked partners to refer clients and service gaps to the appropriate program contacts.