Latest news with #Brim-Edwards
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
13 new sobering stations at MultCo defelction center provide ‘path to recovery'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County's Southeast Portland deflection center is set to gain 13 new sobering stations on April 28. On Wednesday, county officials announced that 24-hour beds would come online as part of a phased plan to eventually open a separate Sobering & Crisis Stabilization Center at 1901 SE Grand Ave. While the permanent sobering center, with up to 50 withdrawal management stations is slated to open in the Fall of 2027, county leaders said the current expansion will help increase access to recovery services for people suffering from substance abuse disorder. Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who led the sobering center plan, said the expansion would offer law enforcement more opportunities to refer people caught with illegal drugs to treatment instead of jail, including those experiencing acute intoxication. 'The community and first responders have been clear about the need for sobering as an alternative to emergency departments, jail, or leaving people on the streets,' said Brim-Edwards. 'By offering a safe and supportive environment, we can help individuals begin their journey to recovery, while improving community safety and reducing the burdens on our emergency medical and justice systems.' The announcement comes after the Coordinated Care Pathway Center switched to a 24-hour model on April 14. Previously, law enforcement could only refer qualifying drug offenders to the Coordinated Care Pathway Center for deflection on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 'These 13 sobering beds expand our capacity to provide a safe, stable place to go for people needing care and respite on their path to recovery,' said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. 'This new 24/7 resource fills a critical gap in crisis services that will benefit law enforcement partners, first responders, and our broader community. It's an important addition to our larger continuum of care.' The Portland Metro region has seen a gap in low-barrier drop-off locations since 2019, when the city closed its sobering center. Following construction delays, the Coordinated Care Pathway Center opened on October 14, 2024, shortly after the implementation of House Bill 4002. The law re-introduced criminal penalties for people possessing small amounts of hard drugs in Oregon and granted counties the ability to build deflection programs to help people with addiction. According to county data, between September 1, 2024, when Multnomah County kicked off its deflection program and February 28, 2025, law enforcement referred 267 people to participate in deflection. The county claims the center's service provider Tuerk House will prioritize referrals for sobering stations from law enforcement deflection before offering availability to outreach workers, first responders, and other service groups. 'We are committed to providing patient-centered, trauma-informed care,' said Bernard Gyebi-Foster, Chief Executive Officer of Tuerk House. 'Our services are designed to offer a pathway to treatment and support, addressing the complex needs of each individual. With the opening of 24/7 sobering services, we are now able to provide immediate treatment around the clock to those in need, and we have a longer time to make a more meaningful connection with them. While they are with us, our goal will be to get to know each person as best as we can and help them make informed decisions about the best next step in their recovery.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Multnomah County Board members unveil plan to put county in ‘driver's seat' of economy
PORTLAND, Ore. () – Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards are introducing a proposal to 'kick-start' the county's economy. The Multnomah County Board members unveiled their plan on Friday, which requests $100,000 to create an Economic Development Landscape Analysis and Report to help the county develop an economic strategy. The proposal for an economic report comes as the board members say Multnomah County has played a 'limited' role in boosting the economy for decades. City of Portland managers to make full-time return to workplace 'The health of our economy deeply impacts our families and everyone's ability to live, rise, and thrive. This report will give us the knowledge to do sound policy and planning,' said Vega Pederson. 'It will support our ability to help grow our economy, empower local businesses, and drive our community's economic future.' According to Vega Pederson and Brim-Edwards, it is 'imperative' for the county to have an active role in promoting economic growth as cities and other community partners in Portland's Downtown Core and Central City have created their own initiatives to spur economic activity. In a draft budget request for the proposal, Vega Pederson's office notes that the proposal should leverage efforts underway and work with organizations, including, the Port of Portland — which 'significantly contributes' to local economic development with freight and passenger service and offers a mentorship program — along with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, Travel Portland, along with local colleges and universities. Troutdale's Sugarpine Drive-In brings new dish to Portland sandwich shop The report will help the county develop county-specific strategies to support existing businesses, industries and employers, while recruiting new businesses, the board members said, noting the county's ability to provide services from addressing the homelessness crisis to preschool access, is 'inextricably linked' to the vitality of the area's economy. 'Let's not kid ourselves: We need to change the trajectory of our economy and reverse recent trends,' Commissioner Brim-Edwards said. 'The County needs to be in the driver's seat of our own economic future, and we can start by creating a countywide economic development and empowerment strategy to improve family incomes and the economic future for Multnomah County residents.' The proposal will be introduced to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on April 17. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Vega Pederson and Brim-Edwards' plan comes after a Portland Metro Chamber report released in February painted a grim picture of the city's economy — showing Portland has had a slower post-pandemic recovery than most major cities. The Portland Metro Chamber report referred to Portland's economy as an 'urban doom loop,' a vicious cycle in which businesses close, people leave and tax revenues decline. 'It is on all of us to make sure that we continue to address the key issues like live-ability, homelessness, substance abuse,' Portland Metro Chamber President and CEO previously said. 'But now we have to get real about the economy and start competing for business and investment, or we have some serious consequences that we will have to grapple with in the future.' The report ends with a call to action for city leaders, to fix our economy or face the consequences. 'Our region's leaders must turn their attention to make our economy competitive or face the daunting realities that other regions have faced before – an urban doom loop.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
