Sarah Rogriguez’s life turned upside down after a divorce in 2013, leaving her homeless and separated from her family and children. By 2018, she found herself living unsheltered in Salem, sleeping on cardboard or in any alcove that felt remotely safe.
After a roller coaster journey that took her to Texas and California, she found herself back in Oregon, couchsurfing and becoming “depressed, disappointed, and devastated” as her life seemed to be getting worse and worse.
In February 2023, she found herself in Portland, where she found out about the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC). There, she got to know the staff and started engaging in services. Since then, her life has changed for the better. For the first time in years, she has her own private room and she’s employed.
“I have been blessed to share my story to hopefully let others know they are not alone, and there is always some hope when you feel like you are in a constant state of chaos, confusion or disappointment,” she told the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, June 27. “The journey has definitely not been easy, but I know that if I share it maybe someone can relate to just one thing or one way.”
Rodriguez was an invited guest as Multnomah County Health Department leaders briefed the Board on the first seven months of operations since the Behavioral Health Resource Center opened its doors in December 2022.
The BHRC is Multnomah County’s peer-focused day-use resource center run by the Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO). The organization provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive services through the center’s three interconnected programs: a drop-in day center, a 33-bed shelter and a 19-bed housing program.
BHRC’s model also brings resources directly to participants on site. Together, community-based partners such as Urban League, Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, and Hearing Voices offer services like Oregon Health Plan and housing enrollment, employment assistance, and support groups, as well as connections to other services.
“The more we’re able to build trust and get to know the person, the more they’re willing to open up,” said Janie Gullickson, the executive director of MHAAO.
Since the opening of the BHRC, the day center has served more than 23,000 non-unique participants. As of May 31, 2023, the center has also provided at least 6,924 showers, 3,562 loads of laundry, 368 behavioral health referrals, and 1,036 referrals to housing or shelter.
“Behind each statistic is a person, a story, and a unique journey,” said Alexandra Appleton, the program manager for the BHRC. “It is about empowering individuals to reclaim agency in their lives, fostering resilience, and nurturing hope.”
This spring, the program briefly paused services for more in-depth training, reorganization of some operations and a new strategy for attracting participants. Since then, program leaders say, they have made improvements to ease congestion in the day center and enhance services.
Improvements included increasing on-site staffing, reducing capacity to 25 participants at a time and 100 unique participants daily, and strengthening procedures for entry. As a result of the changes, the staff-to-participant ratio has improved from 1-to-15 to 1-to-5. The number of daily incident reports has nearly halved.
Commissioner Julia-Brim Edwards wondered whether the BHRC could be expected to continue with the current model, asking program leaders, “Now that you put it in place and you’re seeing more effective engagement, is that the ongoing practice expected to stick with and not go back to sort of unlimited access?”
“I think we will evolve with the community need,” Appleton said. “The process is collaborative and we’re able to assess and pivot, course correct as needed.”
Day center provides on-ramp for shelter and housing
In March 2023, Do Good Multnomah, a contracted provider, began operating a short-term shelter on the third floor of the center. The 33-bed behavioral health shelter provides 24-hour beds and tailored behavioral health support to people who need ongoing services. The goal is to help shelter residents into transitional or permanent housing within 30 days. Referrals are made from the BHRC’s day center.
There are currently 26 participants living in the shelter, which is expected to reach full capacity this week. Since opening three months ago, eight participants have moved on to long-term shelter and one has moved into permanent housing.
On July 1, Do Good Multnomah is expected to open a 19-bed bridge housing program on the BHRC’s fourth floor. The program will serve people actively working on a plan to obtain and sustain permanent housing within 90 days. Participants will receive life skills training, peer and recovery support, and connection to treatment, and other services.
“We are excited by the progress and look forward to continuing to work toward our outcomes,” said Daniel Hovanas, the chief executive officer of Do Good Multnomah.
Over the next 60 days, BHRC leaders also hope to have a completed Good Neighbor Agreement with nearby downtown businesses and neighbors. The ongoing work to establish the agreement reflects the County’s commitment to working collaboratively with downtown stakeholders and considering the needs of those living and working around the site.
“The process is what allows everybody to kind of flesh out issues and have an open conversation,” Commissioner Susheela Jayapal said. “The process is important.”
With the City of Portland’s daytime camping ban expected to go into effect July 1, program leaders are also preparing for a potential influx of participants. Christa Jones, the Community Mental Health Program manager, said the County is having conversations with law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office and community partners about how to best serve those impacted by the ban.
“We don’t want to have another situation where this goes into effect … and there is no system to respond,” Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said. “Having a plan and figuring out what resources and additional supports are needed — that’s the work happening right now."