Mayor Wheeler released a Request for Information for a polysubstance stabilization center within the Behavioral Health Emergency Coordination Network on Friday, October 14, 2022. The RFI is a result of years-long discussions among over 200 stakeholders and experts on the subject.
The RFI can be found here and includes details about the proposed polysubstance stabilization center.
A Project Report detailing work done by the Project Management Consultant on the Behavioral Health Emergency Coordination Network was also made public and can be viewed here:
The Project Report outlines the project's work since BHECN's establishment.
In early 2022, the City of Portland partnered with Multnomah County to bring the stabilization center to fruition. BHECN is a cross-sector collaboration between local government agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare and behavioral health service providers, public safety, and others. Together, these community members are focused on filling critical gaps in Portland’s crisis response system that prevent people experiencing mental health or substance use crises from getting the help they need, when they need it, in the safest and most supportive environment possible.
The City of Portland was recently awarded a grant from the 2022 BJA FY22 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program for transportation funding for BHECN.