The House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding the capacity and challenges within Oregon's substance use disorder (SUD) and psychiatric residential treatment services. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to enhance service capacity, particularly in light of the increased demand exacerbated by the pandemic.

The session began with a presentation detailing the current state of SUD programs in Oregon. It was reported that while the state has 85 licensed beds available, the operational goal for these programs is set at 66 beds. This discrepancy indicates that there is potential for increased capacity, although the actual utilization of these beds is hindered by workforce shortages. The presentation emphasized that the primary barriers to filling these beds include a lack of direct care staff, nursing, therapists, and psychiatric teams.

Further discussion focused on psychiatric residential treatment programs, where similar challenges were noted. The average monthly capacity was illustrated through graphs, showing that while the goal was to reach an operational capacity of 286 beds, current figures indicate a significant gap. The committee acknowledged the need for updated goals to reflect the evolving landscape of mental health services.

A particularly concerning statistic shared during the meeting was the number of referrals made for psychiatric residential treatment services. From January 1 to February 4, 2,806 referrals were recorded, with only 68 approved for treatment. Alarmingly, 36 children were still waiting to enter treatment, with many of them in emergency departments at the time of referral. The data underscored the urgency of addressing these gaps in service provision, as each number represents a child and family in crisis.

The committee concluded with a commitment to continue building capacity and ensuring equitable access to treatment for children in need. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration with current providers and the potential for welcoming additional providers to meet the growing demand for residential treatment services. The meeting underscored the critical need for ongoing efforts to address workforce shortages and improve the overall mental health care system in Oregon.