Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Deflection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts strengthened deflection policy, requiring screening, 90-day engagement and increased service linkages
Summary
After months of work sessions, the Multnomah County Board unanimously adopted a resolution updating policies for the state274002 deflection program: same-day screening or equivalent field-based screening, a care plan, a 90-day engagement window with measurable milestones, stronger housing and transportation linkages, and directives to explore case conferencing and independent project management.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to adopt an updated policy framework for the county27s participation in Oregon27s deflection program established under House Bill 4002.
The resolution (R3) sets a higher bar for what the county will consider a "successful" deflection: after arrest, a participant must receive a same-day medical and/or substance-use screening or assessment (at the sobering/crisis facility or via approved field-based deflection); obtain a care plan identifying immediate needs and service referrals; and within 90 days either show participation in care coordination (a minimum of five follow-up contacts with progressive milestones) or demonstrate meaningful engagement with at least one service identified in the care plan. The board27s adopted language makes the 90-day window the standard used for charging decisions that the district attorney27s office may consider when determining prosecution.
In debate, commissioners and public stakeholders urged that the program not be limited to law-enforcement-only referrals and that providers and community organizations be enabled to refer clients. A delegation from Seattle27s LEAD program and advocates urged field-based case management, low-barrier, high-support shelter capacity and a neutral project manager to coordinate cross-system work. Local providers and the district attorney supported coordinated eligibility and the shift to a 90-day engagement period, but also emphasized that expansion of eligibility must be matched with service capacity.
Key operational and policy points adopted or directed by the board: - Expand pathways into deflection beyond law-enforcement referrals where operationally feasible. - Support immediate screening (same-day) at the sobering/crisis facility or via approved field-based screening to avoid geographic barriers. - Define success as 90-day engagement measured by either five documented care-coordination contacts with progress or meaningful engagement in treatment services; the exact operational definition will be set by providers and program staff in implementation. - Advocate for expanded access to intensive outpatient treatment, transitional recovery housing and prioritized access to enhanced behavioral-health shelter beds; coordinate shuttling/warm-handoff transportation with city partners. - Explore case conferencing and funding models for an independent project manager to coordinate cross-system aspects of deflection; commit to ongoing continuous improvement and regular reporting to the board.
The board considered and adopted several amendments during the meeting, including language to ensure the 360-day facility design is flexible for crisis stabilization needs and a requirement that the county return with feasibility analyses and options for crisis stabilization before final facility approvals. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote after multiple amendments and public testimony.
What happens next: County staff will operationalize the board27s policy direction through the HB40002 leadership team, seek necessary funding and report back on implementation and data quarterly. The county will also coordinate any changes to the statewide CJC (Criminal Justice Commission) submission cycle in the next quarterly window.
