Deschutes County, Oregon Mental Health Department

HB 3024 Local Mental Health Plan

The Governor's office introduced HB 3024, which was passed by the 2001 Oregon Legislature.  HB 3024 declares an emergency, effective on passage, and directs local mental health authorities to work with local planning bodies, county service delivery agencies, providers, schools, consumers and their families to create a comprehensive mental health plan describing what must be done locally to achieve a full range of services.  The bill neither requires the delivery of those services nor assures funding necessary to deliver those services.

HB 3024 specifically requires each county to prepare a comprehensive plan identifying: (1) the current delivery system, (2) gaps between current system and the MHAWG report's "ideal" mental health system, (3) community priorities, (4) methods by which the local mental health authority will provide those services, and (5) estimated costs to fill the gaps in services.  

In order to accomplish the goals of HB 3024, Deschutes County convened an initial Task Force in February involving local stakeholders.  Focus groups were formed to work specifically on the four focus areas identified by the state: (1) consumer-centered, community-based services, (2) consumer-centered intensive services, (3) suicide prevention, and (4) juvenile and adult corrections.  The Focus Groups met throughout the month of March.  Each group identified service gaps and priorities and made recommendations for modifications of our current delivery system.