Oregon advocate urges swift passage of SB 909 for children's mental health care

In a heartfelt testimony before the Oregon Senate Committee on Human Services, a local parent shared the harrowing journey of navigating the state's mental health care system for children. The meeting, held on February 27, 2025, highlighted the urgent need for reform in mental health services, particularly for families facing crises due to severe emotional and behavioral challenges in their children.

The parent, who has three children adopted from foster care, recounted the profound struggles their family has faced, including aggressive outbursts and self-harm incidents stemming from past trauma. Despite their efforts to seek help, they encountered a fragmented and often inaccessible mental health care system. The parent described the emotional and financial toll of traveling over 270 miles for necessary residential care, a journey that many families cannot afford or manage.

With a growing social media following, the parent has used their platform to advocate for change, calling on Governor Tina Kotek to declare a mental health emergency for children and teens. They emphasized that no child should have to rely on social media for access to critical services. The testimony resonated with many, as families across Oregon echoed similar frustrations about long waitlists and inadequate support.

The proposed legislation, SB 909, aims to address these issues by expanding home and community-based services, allowing schools to bill Medicaid for eligible mental health services, and implementing a parental income disregard to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent access to care. The parent urged the committee to pass the bill without delay, stressing that families have been in crisis for too long and cannot afford to wait for a perfect system.

As the meeting concluded, the parent’s plea for immediate action underscored a broader call for Oregon to align its policies with its values of compassion and equality. The testimony served as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for systemic change in mental health services, ensuring that every child in Oregon can access the support they desperately need.