The Oregon Health Authority released the first portion of a $517 million mental health workforce fund, the Portland Business Journal reported May 27.
The agency is dispensing workforce stability grants to 159 behavioral health organizations, with a median award of $334,000, the report said.
A $42.5 million portion was allocated in 2021 to increasing provider payment rates, the report said. If approved, intensive children's psychiatric care would see a 37 percent rate increase, and substance use residential treatment programs would see a 32 percent increase.
"These resources are intended to provide immediate support to behavioral health workers and give programs a sustainable base of funding they can count on to make behavioral health treatment more accessible and equitable in Oregon," OHA Behavioral Health Director Steve Allen said in a statement, according to the Portland Business Journal.