Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
CBH says Baker Building tour, outpatient clinic conversion and OHA audit shape local service plans
Loading...
Summary
Community Behavioral Health (CBH) staff reported on a recent Baker Building tour, conversion of a Seaside shelter into outpatient clinic space, an upcoming OHA recertification audit, funding concerns tied to HR 1, and staffing updates including a new abuse investigator and an upcoming maternity leave for the executive director.
Community Behavioral Health (CBH) staff updated the Clatsop County Human Services Advisory Council on facility and program changes on April 14.
Council members who toured the Baker Building described it as well designed with roughly 31–32 rooms in use and substantial on‑site staffing. Grant said the facility supports residents and about 70 additional outpatients who come to the building for services. "There's a lot of help for a lot of people coming out of that one building," he said.
Shaira, CBH executive director for community DD and behavioral health programs, reported that a previously funded shelter in Seaside had been repurposed for outpatient clinic space after funding cuts; the clinic now shares a location on Broadway with an adjacent rapid‑access clinic for adults. Shaira said the shift was a pragmatic response to space and staffing, noting the highway location was vacated because of rodent issues.
She also said CBH is preparing for an OHA certificate of approval recertification audit (documents due next week; site visit scheduled next month) and that staff are working to reduce administrative burdens under the county financial agreement. Shaira raised concerns about federal proposals she characterized as "HR 1," which she said could gut Medicaid services; she said CBH is planning with OHA and federal legislators to reduce potential impacts.
Shaira announced personnel changes: abuse investigator Sue Hastings retired in March and Ashley Thompson — previously a DD service coordinator and nurse — is the new abuse investigator; Shaira said the transition worked well. She also said she will go on maternity leave in June and senior leadership and the communications manager will cover presentations during her absence.
CBH noted community outreach such as library talks and partnerships (Job Corps and Tongue Point) and said they will continue program presentations to the council to inform members. Council members asked clarifying questions about clinic locations and the separation of child and adult services; Shaira explained outpatient and rapid‑access clinic functions remain separated in practice even if they are adjacent.
The council requested more regular service reporting to allow members to ask programmatic questions; Lisa agreed to add language to the annual report template to explain how service reports give council members the opportunity to question staff and monitor services.
