PENDLETON â A growing consensus among local officials that mental health services in the Umatilla County are in need of change sparked a recent meeting with Sen. Ron Wyden.
âAs you listened to the speakers, you heard in their voices this tremendous compassion and desire to mobilize a fresh strategy,â Wyden said. âAnd the big challenge is there havenât been the dollars.â
The group that met with Wyden at the Umatilla County Courthouse Saturday, May 29, in Pendleton included county, city, law enforcement, education, mental health and tribal officials. They discussed student counseling, establishing a team of professionals to support law enforcementâs response to mental health-related calls, helping American Indian and Hispanic residents, finding housing for those experiencing homelessness and the countyâs meager supply of mental health and addiction treatment facilities.
PENDLETON — A bill introduced in the Oregon Legislature is seeking to end police contracts with schools, but the Pendleton School Board is taking action to preserve its relationship with