Measure 110 expands community outreach for substance use treatment provider in Central Oregon
BestCare Treatment Services, the largest substance use disorder (SUD) treatment provider in Central Oregon, has used Measure 110 funding to expand its work in several ways, including expanding outreach capabilities, improving coordinated care with other providers and growing its transitional housing capacity.
Passed by Oregon voters in 2020, Measure 110 connects people who use drugs with community resources such as housing support and recovery treatment, as opposed to jail time. A critical component of the measure is to direct 70% of cannabis tax revenue to SUD treatment and recovery services such as BestCare.
BestCare opened its doors in 1997 as a drug rehabilitation center, and now, nearly 30 years later, the group offers residential and outpatient services in five Central Oregon communities (Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville and Klamath Falls).
Recognizing a need to become an embedded, trusted community presence, the organization used Measure 110 funding to purchase a mobile outreach van and create a new resource center in Bend.
BestCare uses the van for routine visits to locations and events focused on reaching people experiencing housing insecurity and SUD. Program Manager Barrett Hamilton says they are “building trust and reducing barriers for people in the community” by consistently visiting the same locations, such as a weekly needle exchange program.
During these visits, staff provide basic items such as groceries and hygiene supplies, in addition to helping people with more complex tasks such as getting a cellphone and service plan, expunging criminal records, getting a birth certificate or form of identification, and applying for SNAP benefits or Medicaid. Although they do not push SUD treatment, by providing basic resources to people, BestCare is establishing trusting relationships and can “reach people who wouldn’t necessarily be interested in treatment, with the hope that one day they will ask for it,” Hamilton said.
Building on the van’s outreach work, BestCare opened their new resource center—the Taylor Center in Bend—in September 2023. Hamilton joked about his office still not having a door because the BestCare team was so excited to get the resource center up and running that they opened before construction was complete. Street art-style paintings are visible in the background—pieces Hamilton hopes will put people at ease.
“Not like they are at another counseling center, or a probation office, but that they’re in a welcoming, low-barrier environment,” Hamilton said.
The Taylor Center will have space for BestCare SUD peer mentors to meet with clients, host periodic events to build community, provide two computers for clients to use, and offer basic amenities such as showers, laundry machines and food.
Since BestCare began using Measure 110 funding, the organization has had outreach encounters with more than 1,900 people; connected 104 people with SUD treatment and 174 people with case management; referred 45 people to housing assistance; provided 110 people new forms of identification; and given three or more clients a cellphone each day.
What’s really encouraging, Hamilton said, is that the 104 people beginning their SUD recovery journey are new clients—people who have never used BestCare’s services before.
“It shows how important being able to conduct this proactive community outreach really is,” Hamilton said.
BestCare and its clients also benefit from the implementation of Measure 110’s Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRN). Before the BHRNs were established, the organization could refer someone to a primary care provider or a mental health counselor elsewhere in the county, but connecting a client with alternative SUD care was difficult.
“[It required] jumping through several hoops,” said Kristina Van Alstine, housing coordinator and BHRN partner coordinator. “Now, it’s as simple as a phone call, and we’re able to provide more connected and streamlined care, which has created an environment where there is ‘no wrong door’ for clients.”
Van Alstine coordinates the Deschutes BHRN, which includes BestCare, Rimrock Trails, Ideal Option, Boulder Care, Healing Reins, and the county’s behavioral health services department. The groups communicate in order to better understand what each offers and how they can best work together. For example, BestCare is planning a mock equine therapy session for staff at Healing Reins so they learn how the service might help their clients.
Measure 110 funding also enabled BestCare to boost its transitional housing capacity. One new property is a six-bed sober living facility which serves mothers before and after giving birth. During such a critical time for the mom and child, BestCare provides shelter and support such as SUD and mental health services, along with parenting classes.
Another new Measure 110-funded property is an eight-bed facility that serves men and women with SUD going through medication-assisted recovery. Van Alstine said despite data showing its effectiveness, there is still a significant amount of stigma against people who use medication such as suboxone to assist in recovery. Clients can stay at the facility for 12 months, for free, to establish a solid foundation before taking their next step.
For other information on the impact of Measure 110 funding, check out OHA’s blog and the Measure 110 dashboard.
If you or someone you love is looking for help with substance use, check out this link or call the Alcohol and Drug Help Line at 1-800-923-4357. You can also contact your local community mental health program for help.