(Portland, OR) -- In late 2016, Health Share of Oregon announced an investment to support the development of a new network of care to support recovery options for individuals living with substance use disorders. Led by Central City Concern and CODA, Inc., the network--called Wheelhouse--now includes Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, De Paul Treatment Centers, LifeWorks Northwest and Sequoia Mental Health Services, Inc.
"Wheelhouse is a timely and effective means of taking on Oregon's opioid epidemic," said Tim Hartnett, Executive Director of CODA, Inc. "Oregon has the second-highest rate of prescription opioid misuse in the country, and we're losing lives because we're not delivering a proven, affordable treatment to enough of the people in need. Helping the state's existing provider networks deliver evidence-based Medication Assisted Treatment is sound public health policy, good stewardship of health care dollars, and a compassionate approach to this devastating problem."
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a comprehensive approach to treat opioid use disorder. Combining behavioral therapies and medications, MAT is proven to increase treatment engagement and decrease overall opioid use. Although it is the most effective intervention for opioid use disorder, there exists a significant gap in access to this treatment.
"We're all very excited to join this effort," said Jeffery Eisen, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare. "By including MAT to our array of services, each of the partner organizations can better treat even more people who live with substance use disorders. This partnership provides the technical and clinical support needed as we all develop our own capacity for this treatment."
The newly launched Wheelhouse website is the first step in sharing information about the network and MAT, with the ultimate goal of including an array of substance use disorder service providers, primary care clinics, recovery housing, and peer-driven supports.
"Wheelhouse is an amazing community-based effort," said Rachel Solotaroff, President and CEO of Central City Concern. "When we see partnerships like this come together, we're all optimistic about their potential to expand treatment options in behavioral health care settings, and hopefully, other parts of our health care system as well."
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Health Share of Oregon
Health Share of Oregon is the state's largest coordinated care organization (CCO), serving more than 205,000 Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Our mission is to partner with communities to achieve ongoing transformation, health equity, and the best possible health for each individual.
Health Share was founded and continues to be governed by eleven health care organizations serving OHP members: Adventist Health, CareOregon, Central City Concern, Clackamas County, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Multnomah County, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health & Services, Tuality Health Alliance and Washington County.
Central City Concern
Central City Concern, a nonprofit organization founded in 1979, provides housing, healthcare and employment in Portland for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
CODA, Inc.
CODA is a not-for-profit behavioral health agency, and the oldest opioid-addiction treatment agency in Oregon. It offers a range of evidence-based alcohol- and drug-treatment programs, both outpatient and residential in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is a private, not-for-profit whose mission is to provide healing, homes and hope for people living with mental health and addiction challenges. For information on Cascadia's comprehensive range of innovative clinical and housing support programs, visit cascadiabhc.org.
As of April 1, 2017, Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) and part of a national two-year demonstration project to measure the benefits of expanding the integration of mental, substance use and physical health care. This project places Oregon in the national spotlight for health care reform. Oregon was one of just eight states chosen to participate in the two-year program, and Cascadia is one of only 13 organizations selected statewide.
De Paul Treatment Centers
De Paul Treatment Centers is a CARF accredited, non-profit organization that is one of Oregon's oldest and most effective drug and alcohol treatment centers for adults and youth. Our mission is to create freedom from addiction for individuals, families and communities. Serving the Portland, Oregon Metro area since 1977, we offer a wide variety of care including: medical detox, residential, day treatment, outpatient programs, family therapy, DUII programs and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders. Please visit depaultreatmentcenters.org for more information.
LifeWorks Northwest
LifeWorks NW provides a full range of mental health, addiction and prevention services for children and adults--from infants to seniors--across the Portland metro area. Since 1961, we have responded to the changing needs of the community by expanding our reach and services to, currently, support 21,000 people annually in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. We employ more than 700 people, working in multi-service sites, residential programs and in schools and other community settings. For more information, visit lifeworksnw.org.
Sequoia Mental Health Services, Inc.
Sequoia Mental Health Services, Inc. is dedicated to providing assistance to people with psychiatric, emotional and developmental challenges. The support provided is aimed at maximizing self-sufficiency and productivity and offered with compassion, integrity and a profound respect for each individuals' strengths. Our goal is to surround the people we serve with a community that will engage, support and encourage them.
September 20, 2017
