Mission

The primary purpose of ColumbiaCare Services is “to promote the mental health and welfare of individuals and communities by developing progressive, regional systems of behavioral health care facilities and affiliated service programs in collaboration with public and private providers of social, judicial, and health care services”.

History and Experience

ColumbiaCare has extensive history and experience in designing, developing, and operating residential treatment facilities in Oregon and Idaho, and has a proven track record of providing quality services that produce positive outcomes for residents, safety for residents and community members, and positive professional relationships with partnering agencies and communities.

The current principals of ColumbiaCare collectively have over 50 years of combined experience, and prior to forming ColumbiaCare, operated a comprehensive community mental health program with over 200 employees. Since forming ColumbiaCare Services in 2003, the company has designed, developed and is now operating 14 licensed treatment facilities providing 24-hour residential services to adults with a primary diagnosis of mental illness, 9 supportive housing apartment buildings, and has 4 more facilities under construction or development. For more information and photographs of our facilities and programs, please visit our website at www.columbiacare.org

Credentials & Certifications

• ColumbiaCare was chosen as one of Oregon Business 100 Best Companies in 2010 and 2011.
• ColumbiaCare is licensed to operate Residential Treatment Homes and Facilities for Adults with Mental Illnesses in 6 Oregon counties (Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Morrow, Multnomah, Wasco)-State of Oregon Addictions and Mental Health Division.
• ColumbiaCare has a Certificate of Approval to provide Adult Mental Health Outpatient Services in 5 Oregon counties (Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Wasco, Multnomah)-State of Oregon Addictions and Mental Health Division.
• ColumbiaCare has developed and is operating the first Supportive Housing program and respite bed for the State of Idaho Mental Health Services, Region V.
• ColumbiaCare is an approved Community Rehabilitation Provider of high Fidelity Supported Employment Services statewide- State of Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State of Oregon Addictions and Mental Health Division.
• ColumbiaCare is licensed to provide Secure Transportation Services-State of Oregon.
• ColumbiaCare has developed a Center for Suicide Prevention which offers consultation, training and curricula development services with the goal of creating suicide-safer communities. ColumbiaCare sponsors ASIST and RESPONSE programs.
• ColumbiaCare has under its employ 2 certified Oregon Intervention Services Trainers-Oregon Intervention System
• ColumbiaCare has expanded our residential and affiliated behavioral health services programs to meet the specific needs of Veterans. ColumbiaCare is working in coordination with the Veterans Health Administration, other non-profits, local government agencies, and private therapists to provide Veterans Suicide Prevention, Veterans Crisis Intervention and Stabilization, and Veterans Supported Housing & Case Management Services in Oregon and Washington.

• ColumbiaCare is a founding member of the Oregon Residential Provider Association, working in partnership with other residential treatment providers to ensure that community-based treatment stays an integral part of the Oregon Mental Health System of Care and that these services are delivered with quality and promote recovery and independence for each individual under our care.  For more information, please visit www.oregonrpa.org
• ColumbiaCare is a proud member and sponsor of NAMI in every community we provide services. Sheryl Peterson, ColumbiaCare Health Services Director serves on the Oregon NAMI Board, and ColumbiaCare employees participate in NAMI fundraising activities whenever possible.  For more information about NAMI, please visit www.nami.org
• ColumbiaCare is a one third partner (along with ACCESS and Addictions Recovery Center) in the newly formed Blue Sky LLC.  The Blue Sky partnership was formed to bring together a continuum of care that would be available specifically to Veterans and includes short-term mental health crisis resolution/respite with on- site alcohol and drug detoxification for adults, short stay residential substance abuse treatment, transitional housing and permanent affordable housing for persons with disabilities and seniors.

Staff and Training

In addition to the experienced executive and administrative staff mentioned above, ColumbiaCare recruits, hires and retains skilled, qualified and professional employees to work in residential facilities. Individuals under our employ include medical and mental health professionals such as Psychiatrists, Qualified Mental Health Professionals (Master’s Level therapists), Nurses, and Qualified Mental Health Associates (Bachelor’s Level or combined education and experience in psychology or related field). We also employ/contract with individuals with specific skills that benefit a particular resident population and the community; such as former law enforcement professionals. Staffing levels are based on the type of facility and the resident population, and typically exceed state requirements. ColumbiaCare currently has more than 200 staff.

ColumbiaCare provides ongoing training for employees as it directly relates to the quality of the staff and the quality of skills they bring to their work. It’s in everyone’s best interest that our staff be knowledgeable, confident, and competent in their job performance and provide excellent care of our residents. The ColumbiaCare training program meets, and often exceeds, state requirements. Training includes both pre-service and in-service training.

Track Record

As already stated, ColumbiaCare staff has been involved in providing residential services for many years. To date, ColumbiaCare has not had an instance whereby a resident has committed a crime against a citizen. Robert Beckett, ColumbiaCare’s Executive Director, originally developed one of the longest running Secure Residential Treatment Facilities in the state (14 years).

Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson stated, “A search of our records from 1995 indicate that there have been no incidents in Josephine County relating to residents of a secure residential facility harming citizens. As many Jails throughout Oregon have seen an increase in offenders with mental illnesses, the Hugo Hills Facility has proven to be an asset to this community.”

This is an example of the success, not only ColumbiaCare has, but that other providers have experienced as they provide similar, high-quality services. (Hugo Hills Secure Residential Facility in Josephine County is currently being managed by Options for Southern Oregon)