March 2021

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Board of Commissioners Updated
On February 9, Kristin Burke from the County’s Behavioral Health Division provided a project update to the Washington County Board of Commissioners. The focus of the update was on the process used to develop the concept and the strong partnerships involved in the planning work. To date, more than 180 staff, community members, providers and stakeholders have contributed to the CATT project. This has truly been a community effort!

Feedback from the Board was positive, and we are excited to have Chair Kathryn Harrington join our project as the board liaison. On May 11, staff will return to the Board to provide details about the program design and services. If the Board agrees, the project will move into the next phase where significant activity will begin. This will include presenting land purchase options to the Board, selecting service providers and developing an architectural design for the CATT campus.
CATT Services:
What Does That Really Mean?
Assessment and triage are at the center of the CATT concept, along with five core treatment services that will be available to residents of Washington County: sobering, withdrawal management, crisis stabilization, residential, and outpatient stabilization. With the exception of a few residential beds, these publicly funded services are currently not available in Washington County. The feasibility study incorporates all mentioned core services into Phase 1 of the build. In the future we hope to expand these core services to include many additional recovery supports.

Sobering: A specially designed program to support an individual who is acutely intoxicated while they are processing the substance from their body. Services would include monitoring of vital signs, providing fluids and nutrients, and offering a safe and supportive environment until the individual is ready to transition to a different level of care. Length of stay is typically very short, generally ranging from 4-12 hours.

Withdrawal Management (also known as detoxification): A program that provides monitoring and support to individuals who have developed a physiological dependence on alcohol or opiates. This is typically a short-term service, often with transition to residential services upon discharge. Average length of stay is 3-5 days.

Crisis Stabilization: A flexible, short-term residential program that provides a safe environment to support individuals while they are waiting to access other services. This program may also be used to engage and connect people to services at CATT while waiting for an opening in the right level of care. Average length of stay data for crisis stabilization units is not currently available.

Residential: A facility-based treatment program where the individual lives in a supportive environment and learns skills to avoid relapse. The average length of stay in residential services is commonly 45-90 days.
This model is conceptual and for
illustration purposes only.

While in the feasibility study phase, we asked LRS Architects to develop a conceptual rendering of the CATT, Phase 1, which is shown above. The model has four of the core services housed in the intensive services building (shown in yellow), with the remaining core service of residential programming distinctly housed in two buildings (shown in dark green), one for men and the other for women. In this model, the intensive services building is 17,650 square feet and the residential treatment buildings are 8,950 square feet each. The dark gray areas are for parking. There is plenty of green space for residents and staff to enjoy, as well as for future expansion on the campus.
Outpatient Stabilization: A short-term, rapid access program heavily centered on medication-supported recovery (also known as Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT) and connection to peer support. This program helps individuals needing rapid connection to treatment, but for whom residential-based services are not desired or indicated. It is intended to be short-term with transition to outpatient services as indicated.

These five core services are integral to a comprehensive substance use treatment facility. Throughout all these programs, peers will provide support alongside other staff. Services will also focus on integrating mental health and family supports wherever possible.
Equity Tool Adopted
Washington County acknowledges how long-standing inequities have negatively impacted our community. Addressing these inequities is a top priority. On February 25, 2020, the Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution on diversity, equity and inclusion. This resolution acknowledges that communities of color are underrepresented and experience disparities that hinder diversity, equity and inclusion. The CATT Leadership Team has embraced this resolution and is making deliberate efforts to center on race and address disparities that may discourage someone from seeking treatment. The goal is to create a treatment facility where all people will feel welcome.

The CATT project’s Program Development Work Group developed an equity tool that will be used in all future phases of development and service delivery. This will ensure an equity lens is used as we address barriers to substance use treatment in our community. We appreciate all the input work group members provided in developing the tool.

We invite you to review the CATT Equity Tool and the Washington County resolution on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Measure 110:
How Does It Intersect with the CATT?
Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, was passed by Oregonians in November 2020 and went into effect February 1, 2021. This measure does two things:

  • Decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of illegal substances.
  • Redirects marijuana tax dollars to be used for treatment, with the emphasis on rapid access and support for long-term substance use recovery.

The measure calls for the creation of regional Addiction Recovery Centers (ARCs). ARCs would provide rapid health screenings and connection to treatment services using peer recovery mentors. Peer recovery mentors are individuals with lived experience with substance use. They provide recovery support to individuals who are going through similar experiences. They have at least two years in recovery and have received training on substance use disorders and services.

The underlying values and goals of the CATT include improved access to substance use disorder screenings and integrating peer recovery mentors throughout services, both of which are consistent with Measure 110.

It is unclear at this point whether Measure 110 will provide funding for program development or how the funds for services will be distributed. The Oregon Health Authority is developing an implementation plan and has appointed an Oversight and Accountability Council.
CATT Feasibility Study in Final Stages
The feasibility study is nearly finished! The final version will be provided to the Board of Commissioners in April so they have time to review for the May 11 presentation by Behavioral Health staff. Visit the CATT project documents webpage in mid-April to see the entire study.

Note: In the previous issue of the "CATT Connection" we stated that the presentation to the Board would be in April 2021. That date was postponed to May to give the Board
additional time to review the feasibility study.
Visit our website for more information.

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