Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate Black excellence, resilience, and contributions to our communities.

The Behavioral Health Talent Council has released our final report, informed by leaders, people with lived experience, and frontline voices in the behavioral health field.

Congratulations to Portland Author Renée Watson, who won the Newbery Medal - one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature - for "All the Blues in the Sky. www.orartswatch.org/portlands-re...

Behavioral health workers have made it clear - they’re drowning in paperwork. House Bill 4083, Cutting Red Tape for Behavioral Health Workers is an important step to fixing that.

Thank you to the council members, staff and partners that have testified on House Bill 4083, Cutting Red Tape for Behavioral Health Workers. We’re making a difference, together.

HB 4083: Streamlined credentialing so qualified workers can start serving patients sooner, reduced administrative burden so providers can spend more time focused on clients, and expanded access to clinical supervision so providers can succeed and stay in their careers.

Recent efforts in Oregon have helped improve access AND Oregonians are still waiting too long for care. The Talent Council spent 8 months developing plans to address the workforce crisis so Oregonians can get the care they deserve.

The Talent Council centered providers, educators, students, and people with lived experience - because policy works when it’s built with the people it’s meant to serve.

The Ballmer Institute is developing innovative solutions to expand the behavioral health workforce for Oregon’s youth.

House Bill 4083, Cutting Red Tape for Behavioral Health Workers, comes from the work of the Behavioral Health Talent Council, which I am honored to chair. And it addresses what providers need in the field now.

These YouthLine volunteers are making an impact while exploring the field. We must strengthen the profession for the next generation of workers. @linesforlife.bsky.social

Happy Multicultural Children's Book Day! Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Oregon offers bilingual English/Spanish books to help support the next generation of bilingual readers.

I was honored to meet with representatives from the federally recognized Tribes in Oregon to discuss the Talent Council's work and learn from the Tribes' successful workforce strategies.

The Talent Council has heard from frontline providers and created action plans to address workers' needs so they can stay in the field.

As Chair of the Behavioral Health Talent Council, I'm committed to centering the voices of frontline workers. Their experiences and insights are essential to developing workforce recommendations that will actually work for providers and the Oregonians they serve.

Merry Christmas Eve to all celebrating today!

Farming and ranching can come with unique stresses. Oregon's AgriStress Helpline offers confidential support specifically for agricultural producers and their families. Learn more at extension.oregonstate.edu/agristress-h....

I visited with behavioral health professionals in Lane County to hear how the workforce crisis affects them. Their incredible work on workforce development and retention changes the trajectory of behavioral healthcare in the county and their success can be a model for the entire state.

During The Governor’s trade mission to Japan, I had the opportunity to convene a roundtable with suicide prevention providers. We exchanged best practices on reducing stigma, leveraging technology and peer support, and addressing the specific needs of young women, children, and LGBTQ+ communities.

We recognize the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing healthcare and the dedicated providers serving them. The Talent Council is developing action plans to support behavioral health professionals in rural Oregon - so that providers and patients receive the support they deserve.

An inspiring day celebrating Trillium's new Youth Psychiatric Residential facility! This project shows the power of partnership in addressing Oregon's youth mental health needs. When we invest in Oregon’s kids' wellbeing, we invest in our state's future.

Today is Election Day! Local elections might not get the same attention as state-wide and national races, but they shape our communities in profound ways. Get your ballot in by 8pm—your community is counting on you!

Happy Girl Scouts Founders Day! Growing up as a Girl Scout taught me about leadership, teamwork, and community service—lessons that stay with you for life. From cookie sales to community service projects, Girl Scouts are learning to lead and change the world.

LGBTQ History Month honors the trailblazers who fought for equality, visibility, and the right to live authentically. Their courage paved the way for future generations to see themselves reflected and know they belong.

Want less bats flying into your house? Give them their own pad! Installing a bat box is a simple and effective way to help bats. It gives these amazing animals a safe place to roost and care for their young. Check out ODFW’s guide on creating a bat-friendly home: myodfw.com/articles/hel...

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! Teddy was adopted, and he's brought so much joy to our lives. If you're considering adding a pup to your home, visit a local shelter and see who’s waiting for you.

Oregon is our home, not a military target. To every Oregonian who is showing up peacefully, advocating for our right to govern ourselves: Thank you.

As a social worker, I learned that trauma doesn't define a person. And that access to compassionate, informed care can transform their trajectory. On World Trauma Day, let's commit to building systems that recognize the impact of trauma and support healing for those who need it.

I loved visiting the Lower Columbia Q Center in Astoria—an LGBTQ+ support organization. In collaboration with Clatsop Behavioral Health, they host behavioral health support groups, including Queer Recovery, ensuring our community gets culturally affirming care.

Sunday reminded me why I'm proud to be an Oregonian. Our communities come together quickly, peacefully, and powerfully to protect our values and our right to govern ourselves. We face real challenges—let's focus on solving them together, not a manufactured crisis.

“You are loved”—a beautiful message to find in @forahealth's art therapy room that reminds us that everyone is worthy of love. Art has such an incredible power to heal and help us cope when times are tough.

Proof that when you invest in your workforce, everyone wins. While many face staffing shortages, Clatsop Behavioral Health's competitive pay and a shortened 36-hour, four-day work week allow providers to provide the best care to their clients and their own lives.

The Pendleton Round-Up is a celebration of western heritage brings together rodeo competition, authentic Tribal participation, and incredible community spirit. We celebrated 115 years of this tradition, reminding us of what makes Oregon so special.

Serving as an honorary judge at the Junior American Indian Beauty Pageant was a privilege! Guided by Native American elders, I learned about the deep significance behind each beautiful dress and story shared by these girls.

Thanks to state support, Oregon's Imagination Library will continue to be there for kids across the state. Reading 'The Rabbit Listened' at the Eugene Public Library was a perfect reminder of why early literacy funding matters.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we remember that connection saves lives. Whether it's checking in on a friend, listening without judgment, or seeking help for yourself—every action matters. Crisis support is just three numbers away: 988. #SuicidePreventionDay #988Lifeline

Today we celebrate Women's Equality Day, commemorating the adoption of the 19th Amendment and the courageous women who fought for the right to vote. Their legacy reminds us that progress requires action—and there's still work to be done to ensure equality for all women. #WomensEqualityDay

Happy National Dog Day from Teddy, Oregon's First Dog! Who's the special dog you're celebrating today?

YouthLine at Lines for Life is an incredible example of the kind of innovative solutions it will take to solve the Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage and build the prepared and empathetic behavioral health workforce of tomorrow. @linesforlife.bsky.social

Portland, we love your pride!

The Oregon 250 Commission is working hard to make sure Oregon’s celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary next year tells a complete story. Our mission is clear: inspire civic engagement, strengthen history education, and celebrate the remarkable landscapes and cultures that define Oregon.

We can often see when a person struggling with mental illness is about to take a fall. The job of practitioners is to do what we can to catch people before they fall, rather than waiting. The legislature passed HB 2005 during the legislative session, making better care possible and saving lives.

The Behavioral Health Talent Council is working to create sustainable careers that support providers’ well-being and the communities they serve. The council will develop recommendations to address worker shortages, reduce turnover, build career pathways, and improve access to care across Oregon.

Tina and I were happy to host a Pride reception at Mahonia Hall to close out Pride Month! In Oregon, we celebrate the contributions, courage and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we’re committed to building a future where everyone belongs.

The Behavioral Health Talent Council, led by @firstaimee.bsky.social, is getting to work. Members are on the ground listening to rural and culturally specific providers to ensure their voices and experiences inform solutions for our state’s behavioral health workforce crisis.

The Behavioral Health Talent Council is tackling the state's behavioral health workforce crisis head-on, bringing together 22 experts to develop actionable solutions by January 2026. We’re excited for this work that is going to make a real difference in the lives of Oregonians.

At YouthLine, 200 volunteers, ages 15 to 24, receive 65 hours of training to staff the peer-to-peer crisis line, providing critical, even life-saving support to 25,000 youth across the country every year. They are helping people in crisis today and building the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow.

Every child deserves access to quality books and shared reading experiences. It was wonderful to join the Wilsonville community celebrating Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This program shows how we can work together to ensure every Oregon child has the foundation they need to succeed.