Denise Pena, director of the Department of Community Justice, told the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners that the Community Healing Initiative Early Intervention program (CHI EI) was created in 2015 to connect youth who commit lower-level, first-time offenses to culturally specific community providers and wraparound supports.

The briefing, requested through a budget note from Commissioner Lori Stegman, presented utilization and outcome data and the program’s funding context. "This program is separate and distinct" from CHI's probation model, Pena said, and the department sought one-time bridge funding after a proposed reduction tied to a countywide 3% budget constraint drew community concern.

Dr. Kyla Armstrong Romero, Juvenile Services Division director, presented program data showing 208 youth were referred to CHI EI in the period reviewed. Of those referred, 137 (about 66%) had no documented engagement due largely to unsuccessful contact attempts or inaccurate contact information; 38 youth (about 18%) declined services; and 9 youth (about 4%) successfully completed or remained actively engaged. Armstrong Romero reported a 17% recidivism rate among youth who engaged with the program and described the program’s primary partners, including the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC) and Latino Network.

Armstrong Romero described how referral patterns changed after the pandemic, noting that school resource officer referrals — a major pre-pandemic source — declined. "Sometimes the information that we receive from the police report is inaccurate," she said, citing inaccurate contact data as a major barrier to engagement.

Commissioners pressed for ways to boost referrals and completion. Commissioner Lori Stegman asked whether law enforcement is the best referral source and whether officers know to refer youth to CHI EI. Armstrong Romero and Pena said outreach and education for law enforcement and schools could improve referrals; they also noted that families may self-refer and that the program is voluntary. "This is a voluntary program," Pena said, adding that some families decline services even when contacted.

Colby Dixon, DCJ business services manager, confirmed CHI EI providers are using their funding allocations. Board members urged DCJ to consult best practices from other counties with higher engagement levels and to clarify program metrics for budgeting decisions. Commissioner Myron asked for a rigorous analysis of cost-effectiveness and recommended exploring whether program operations should sit in a different agency or be more closely integrated with prevention services.

On funding, presenters said CHI EI combines county general fund support with Juvenile Crime Prevention Funds (a pass-through from state sources). The packet lists a total program amount (including grant funding) of $563,000; presenters also referenced one-time bridge funding provided this cycle. Based on utilization data, DCJ recommended following the 3% general-fund reduction while preserving pass-through state grant funding, and returning with additional analysis and outreach plans.

Next steps: commissioners asked staff to return with follow-up data, comparisons to other counties' programs, and options to increase referrals and completion rates. No formal vote was taken; the board signaled it will consider the findings as part of the upcoming budget process.