[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6461289,"mediaKeyId","5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3","parentId",5824568,"title","Multnomah County human services department outlines cuts, program shifts as FY26 rebalance begins","audioSeconds",2269,"startMs",1792000,"endMs",4061000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3&start=1792&end=4061","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3/thumbnail_1792000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461289/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Multnomah-County-human-services-department-outlines-cuts-program-shifts-as-FY26-rebalance-begins","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461289-7c0ccfcad4c356ebc5d9aecdd361c1f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506008&Signature=S9cMhIoBuHVbAUQZHYJeeDWiGmxgX36-zvy4hROTF4EpsE8joPeTb2AAAcMBOBDkhbhgmYFw8hWHBNUJxRfOYi8Or2ri7wKSzbi~iRt2FoBONLTqLCFknqR2wZM8Y1FkY56MLm2dbyZTy63L7rPaVKtd-uArYFfsPQ48OwCigO~5gJTpSptC9kjpLYWDFo1uAYaPa9KfuBoPEbPu-EoLDvV9SWoio7NDvXxGUY09yACb3fsDxd-ZlOjWGy66rKfvhJ3rp~NWRaHJeVuKRCq3t0uyBEcmKpNYxkQVcnq5vOAl4Q660lM4OC2i1fM28rQEBsmdqhyDtGGA-Yh4-47d1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Multnomah County","date","2025-09-24T13:27:51.35Z","article","The Multnomah County Department of County Human Services (DCHS) presented a detailed briefing to commissioners on how state and federal changes are affecting the department’s fiscal year 2026 budget and programs.

\"I'm Mohammed Bader. I use he, him pronouns, and I'm the director for the department of County Human Services,\" DCHS Director Mohammed Bader told the board as he introduced the leadership team and the department’s FY26 recap. Robert Sewell, the department’s finance manager, summarized the financial position and said DCHS’s nominal FY26 growth was driven primarily by Preschool for All funds while other operating funds declined.

DCHS told the board the department’s total FY26 budget (excluding large cash transfers tied to preschool) is roughly $442.7 million with about 981.5 full‑time equivalents. The department reported prior cuts in FY25 that reduced staffing by 8.5 FTE and general fund reductions totaling about $7.1 million in the ongoing budget; other funds decreased by about $63.8 million.

Division directors described program‑level impacts and planned transitions. Irma Jimenez, director for Aging, Disability and Veteran Services, said the Oregon Department of Human Services approved a shift that will move the county’s Organ Project Independence (OPI) program into a new federally funded \"OPI‑M\" program that expands in‑home hours for eligible participants and alters eligibility. Jimenez said OPI classic funding will be “reduced dramatically” as consumers transition to OPIM and that the transition period runs through the end of FY26; she said no case closures are planned during the transition.

Jimenez also outlined staffing alignment changes of small net effect in ADVS and said the department added positions for process improvement, data quality and mandated advisory councils. She noted a housing navigator contract reduction from the state will cut referral capacity by roughly 50 percent for that role; the affected staffer is working with HR to explore options.

DCHS said it signed a one‑year contract to embed a case manager at Providence Administrative Counseling Services (PACS) nursing facilities to provide up to 15 long‑term services and supports eligibility intakes per month and to deliver Medicaid‑focused training to participating facility staff.

Robert Sewell said federal and state funding make up a large share of the department’s budget (federal/state funds approximately 44 percent of DCHS total) and cautioned that changes at the federal level will continue to ripple through departmental programs. He also stressed that the FY26 adopted budget included roughly $66 million in one‑time money that may not recur.

Commissioners asked about staff impacts, community‑based organization contracts and interagency coordination. Commissioner Singleton pressed for attention to culturally specific community partners and for data collection where gaps exist; multiple commissioners sought follow‑up on vacancy and trial‑service impacts for affected employees.

DCHS leaders said they will continue to provide written follow‑up to the board on outstanding questions and flagged more detailed briefings planned in forthcoming sessions on the county’s schedule to finish the rebalance process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09.23.25 Board Briefing","oneSentenceSummary","Department of County Human Services leaders told the Board that state and federal funding changes and the local rebalance will shrink some services, but they highlighted program transitions, contract changes and a mix of one‑time and ongoing adjustments.","taxTitle","Multnomah County, Oregon","taxId",2759,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461294,"Multnomah County forms federal impacts work group and joins litigation as HR 1 threatens Medicaid, SNAP funding",0,5750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3&start=5750&end=5750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3/thumbnail_5750000.jpg","/articles/6461294/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Multnomah-County-forms-federal-impacts-work-group-and-joins-litigation-as-HR-1-threatens-Medicaid-SNAP-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461294-516da8360900245e024fca7c7d16891f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506008&Signature=oXquKctrpV~iJeRqqdximqvlBl7Ry3TX4IzqvLHhI4frjKW7sk2Yziutgl~I-wGY6P7vRCCCaT5FEmy7t8cUIEGoXPpBDm25TV81E5ofzpWMfWhxhQEaRTItrYMJvwFrpmnPu-Yu14twxz6iWXJfLoa9O7X2ot1bRP8OoNTvqHHYfWOZb2KPDDJNrhQ7rtEehEGAURYHX~-Ohx5UJKhEc9Tl4XGxtAPrXITDzy0jVCRB6xhsSaXHCNEewuaM3I2pOlKka90SusMGqQy4rW3Q7OlSJY0ZPi8BcssCmUvDe80ONqQs0pifpTZAdns9U3RaDXFQmvXmg9O5~ikovcWWRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners was briefed on a new countywide Federal Impacts Work Group and the potential local effects of H.R. 1, a recently passed federal spending and policy package that county staff said will shift significant costs and administrative responsibilities to states and local governments.

The briefing opened with Justin Black, deputy chief operating officer, who introduced the work group and explained it will coordinate department-level monitoring, with legal review from the County Attorney’s Office and financial analysis from the CFO’s office. \"We established the federal impacts work group and project team to lead across departmental efforts in tracking, assessing, and communicating risks from federal actions,\" Savannah Grama, senior strategic initiatives manager in the COO’s office, told the board.

County staff emphasized H.R. 1’s two central effects: stricter work and documentation requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients, and cuts or shifts in federal administrative funding. Stacy Cowan, interim director of government relations, told the board the law will “restructure Medicaid and SNAP with strict work requirements, tighter eligibility,” and that, in the county’s view, the bill “saves federal money by shifting responsibilities” to states and counties. Multnomah County staff noted Oregon could lose billions in federal Medicaid funding over time and face large new state administrative costs for SNAP verification.

The County Attorney’s Office described legal steps the county has taken. Andy Jones, deputy county attorney, said Multnomah County has joined two multi‑plaintiff lawsuits challenging federal grant language and administrative directives (King County v. Turner in the Western District of Washington and City & County of San Francisco v. Turner in the Northern District of California). Jones said the litigation seeks injunctions against federal conditions that would condition grant receipt on compliance with certain executive orders or agency directives.

County staff described a five‑part internal process for tracking and responding to federal notices: department flagging, legal and CFO review, risk scoring, a termination plan if funding is reduced, and weekly monitoring of exposed funding streams. Justin Black said the county is trying to avoid reactionary steps and instead make decisions based on legal and programmatic analysis.

The presentation included timeline details staff said commissioners should watch: changes already in effect for some SNAP rules, an October 2026 reduction in federal SNAP administrative match (raising Oregon’s share of administrative costs), and major Medicaid changes — including work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks — slated for 2027. Staff warned these changes would increase administrative burdens, raise the number of appeals and enrollment verifications, and likely force choices about service reductions or new state/local revenues.

Commissioners asked for follow-up on definitions and implementation. Diana Pocherl, the county’s federal and state legislative liaison, said the federal government defines disability for the purposes of exemptions; states will determine verification processes and frequency. Commissioners raised concerns about the likely human impact, especially on older adults, people with disabilities, immigrants and families, and urged county leaders to develop clear policy direction for how the county will respond.

County leaders said they will continue cross‑jurisdictional coordination with the governor’s office and other local governments, maintain the tableau dashboard of at‑risk funding, and return to the board with updates as federal agencies, courts, and the state clarify implementation rules.

The briefing concluded with direction to maintain monitoring, legal review and interagency communications and to return to commissioners with further briefings and risk assessments as new agency guidance or litigation outcomes emerge.","County officials told commissioners they are tracking HR 1 and other federal actions that could shift billions in costs to states and counties, and said the county has joined lawsuits and created a cross‑department work group to assess risks to grants and programs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461279,"Youth and Family Services warns FY26 emergency rent assistance cuts will reduce households served by hundreds",785,3230000,4015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3&start=3230&end=4015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3/thumbnail_3230000.jpg","/articles/6461279/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Youth-and-Family-Services-warns-FY26-emergency-rent-assistance-cuts-will-reduce-households-served-by-hundreds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461279-c63862f2e2ef5f4d6b6e8f45f923361c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506008&Signature=ldt6FHGw~VWLBQbQQ2ofDYHipJUuOKpLCSpTWi~SSSuicha4X9~09MKpXBWJK2k4eQ2r3VsC1C4M6ETjb5-Ihx~KU3ekaLpsjsn0E1EzBX9XdR7neP0GN4ztjSOnZBPkkuo-Q2GEOg2h3KmzM~pYWiWVKUkNIMp-W~5XSvpknUn0ETQRbLbzo9BcrrjKlfvNbLDsnJdPr0ZhYUFje9LRyxuDzviU0UjJSX7-9983SCx7GlrrqHkowLuH8UY1efUoUA9bHW2uQHmxn7C4EYMYJJaRuvox3tR1hMVWRCRaO2oRcwdOtvglGb0MHmcutQRHGvlCO-JZxl1TT7Vw-KUFNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Multnomah County Youth and Family Services (YFS) division told commissioners that reductions to state funding and the FY26 rebalance will substantially shrink emergency rent assistance and related prevention services.

\"The rebalance today and, just as a reminder, emergency rent assistance protects tenants who have an eviction notice and are at imminent risk of losing their housing,\" YFS Director Lori Stegman told the board. YFS said emergency rent assistance funding fell from roughly $20.3 million in FY25 to an adopted FY26 level of $12.3 million; the rebalance under discussion would remove $7.1 million from the program. The division said staffing associated with the program would drop from 20.5 FTE in FY25 to 6.0 FTE after the rebalance, and estimated the cuts would result in roughly 883 fewer households served.

Stegman told commissioners the state reductions were driven by a cut to the statewide diversion and prevention (BRIDaL/SHS) allocation; the governor’s adopted budget was substantially lower than the governor’s recommended level and the loss of held‑aside contingency funds further removed a safety net. She warned commissioners that eviction filings and family shelter wait lists are growing, and said fewer prevention dollars at a time of rising need risk increased homelessness.

YFS leaders also reported two competitive grants from the Oregon Department of Education were not awarded: a $110,000 award that had supported youth stabilization and homelessness prevention and a $100,000 award for a school‑based youth advocacy program. Stegman said the county served more youth than the prior projection in FY25, but the loss of these awards would reduce the number of youth served in FY26.

Stegman also described weatherization funding changes: a $919,000 grant award the county expected was canceled, but the county received a 30 percent increase ($728,000) from Oregon Housing & Community Services for an energy conservation program and an increased rebate from Northwest Natural of $1 million based on FY25 spending patterns. The county said it will continue to target about 250 households for weatherization but plans to provide deeper retrofits per household with additional rebate funding. Stegman noted some program eligibility limitations — for example, the Northwest Natural rebate requires gas heat in the home.

Commissioners asked for demographic detail on households served and the planned coordination with city and state programs; Stegman said the division will follow up with the board on those questions and noted family shelter wait lists exceed six months in some cases.

YFS staff said they will continue to assess partner impacts and return with follow‑up information requested by commissioners, and flagged ongoing work on interagency agreements related to the SUN community schools program.","Youth and Family Services told the board that a $7.1 million rebalance reduction to emergency rent assistance and related state cuts will cut staffing and drop the number of households served substantially; several youth program grants were also not awarded and a weatherization award was cancelled.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461284,"State to centralize IDD licensing; Multnomah adds case managers while reporting large underfunding gap",545,2757000,3302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3&start=2757&end=3302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824568-b444e58e4892cf350d76917263c51bd3/thumbnail_2757000.jpg","/articles/6461284/Multnomah-County/Oregon/State-to-centralize-IDD-licensing-Multnomah-adds-case-managers-while-reporting-large-underfunding-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461284-9a812b6ab5f104fd4be55ca8f6aec74b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506008&Signature=Iqb7nvfqF1EB7VzTRQX2hU87TWxHANgGjafsI4AFz3-m6dmf8XUa8XbAiD8Ct7Iurvjk-0tgfQkHCuGq-8~tr1PRS9RoYMoMK0xhRKZBPrbgXgAEEap2cPELcaETOBmOrAvECJY-xM2haaawU~XTXIGrsSWzY785e19MTzJ8F6Pv1lbga1zg-NeDic84fDyl4j05iiCybXmZUliU-9vH~L4uR5z00gAnhHvKV4K~Bl20PcRb-H5eYP0qAcplp-uVMCakKkQ96a7UCk3LEezmSDs2j81tWh1wEfRYvUPfJ-UrCaucCc~3tCSxwLh8sfsqArDLVtYgY7Qqh6b17M7ElQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county’s Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) told commissioners that statewide centralization of licensing will shift licensing oversight to the Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services and remove related funding from county budgets, and that the division has both staffing losses and program growth to manage.

\"Alexis Alberty, division director for intellectual and developmental disabilities,\" told the board the state is centralizing licensing and the county will lose five FTE in licensing funds as licensing moves to the state’s model. She said three adult care home licenser positions are vacant and two children’s certifier positions are filled; the removal of licensing funding from the county workload model prevents a local carve‑out. \"The 3 adult care home program licenser positions are vacant,\" she said.

Alexis Alberty also described an increase of $4.1 million in case management funding that will create nine new county FTE (case manager 1 and 2 roles, assessors and administrative staff) to respond to steady growth in eligible individuals. Nevertheless, the division said it remains underfunded in multiple workload categories: roughly $400,000 underfunded in licensing and eligibility (about 3.7 positions), about $5.5 million underfunded in case management (roughly 45 positions), and about $700,000 underfunded in protective services — a roughly $6.7 million aggregate shortfall compared with the state workload model.

Alberty briefed the board on program scale: Multnomah County covers 166 licensed adult care home settings serving about 435 adults and 100 children’s residential settings for youth. She said county administrative rules exceed state minimum standards and that county leaders are working with the state to ensure providers continue to receive the supports currently offered by county licensing staff.

Commissioners pressed staff on the staffing and training implications, with some expressing concern about whether centralized state licensing will preserve the county’s higher oversight and provider supports. IDD leaders said they will continue to press the state and explore transfer options for the two filled licenser positions and to support providers during the transition.

The division asked the board to note that growth in eligible participants has outpaced the workload model forecasting: Alberty said the county is already at about 95 percent of the forecast for the biennium less than a full quarter into the cycle, signaling continued enrollment pressure.

Division staff said they will provide further follow‑up on transfer discussions, provider training continuity and the operational details of the new case management FTE.","Multnomah County's intellectual and developmental disabilities division told commissioners the state will centralize licensing (removing funding from the county), the county will add nine case management positions, but the division still reports an $6.7 million underfunding gap under the state workload model.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Multnomah County human services department outlines cuts, program shifts as FY26 rebalance begins

Multnomah County forms federal impacts work group and joins litigation as HR 1 threatens Medicaid, SNAP funding

Youth and Family Services warns FY26 emergency rent assistance cuts will reduce households served by hundreds

State to centralize IDD licensing; Multnomah adds case managers while reporting large underfunding gap