Morrow County tables contract amendment removing prevention services from CCS until OHA provides written plan

Morrow County commissioners voted to table an amendment to the county’s contract with Community Counseling Solutions (CCS) that would remove prevention services from the agreement, saying they need written confirmation from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) that prevention will be handled regionally before finalizing the change.

Justin, participating remotely, summarized the amendment and said it mainly removes the prevention-services requirement from the CCS contract because OHA has been discussing taking those responsibilities regionally. Robin from the county’s public health staff told the board she lacks the staff capacity to absorb prevention work and said OHA discussions were ongoing. "I don't really have the staff capacity to take that on like CCS was," Robin said.

Commissioners expressed concern about a potential gap in prevention services, especially for alcohol prevention, if the county removes the obligation from CCS before OHA’s plan is finalized. One commissioner asked whether the county might be in breach of an agreement with OHA if it ceased providing services now; staff said they need written confirmation from OHA that the agency will assume the responsibilities and release the county from the obligation.

To avoid an interruption in services, the board voted to table the amendment and directed staff to obtain a written plan or confirmation from OHA describing how prevention services will be managed regionally. Commissioners also directed staff to notify CCS that they should continue providing existing services until further notice.

The motion to table and request written confirmation passed on a voice vote.