Behavioral Health Funding
Governor Tina Kotek, the Association of Oregon Counties, and the Oregon Health Authority say all 36 Oregon counties have now signed updated behavioral health funding agreements. The move replaces a three-decade-old system with new standards focused on accountability, clearer expectations, and better response to local needs. State leaders say the agreements will provide a real-time statewide view of how behavioral health resources are used, helping identify service gaps and guide future funding. Since 2021, Oregon has invested more than $300 million in treatment capacity, crisis services, and workforce development. Officials say the agreements mark a starting point for improving access to mental health and addiction care statewide.
Oregon Aging Plan
After years of advocacy, supporters of older adults in Oregon are celebrating the state’s work to create a Multi-Sector Plan for Aging. The plan, known as an MPA, is a 10-year blueprint intended to restructure policies across health, housing, transportation and community engagement to make the state more age-friendly. Stephanie Hooper, president and CEO of AGE+, said the plan will bring together a range of interested parties to identify key strategies so people of all ages can thrive.
“This kind of planning isn’t just about our current older adults, it’s about our future old,” Hooper said. “It’s about how older adults can be in community, and how we support caregivers who are helping both ends of the spectrum.”
Oregon joins 14 other states that have already implemented MPAs. Hooper said Oregon’s plan will be developed over the next year, launched in fall 2027 and updated every couple of years. Like the rest of the country, Oregon is aging quickly. About a quarter of the state’s workforce is now older than 55. Hooper said programs that support older workers fuel local economies, especially in rural parts of the state.
“The work we do now will leverage the strengths and opportunities that older adults bring to our communities to help younger generations,” Hooper said.
Hooper invited Oregonians across the state to get involved to ensure as many voices as possible are represented in the plan. She said more information is available at sharedfutureoregon.org.
DMV Online Maintenance
The Oregon DMV is asking customers to plan ahead for a scheduled system upgrade that will take all online services offline from July 3 through July 5. That includes DMV2U and the DMV Express kiosks. All DMV offices will also be closed July 3 for the Fourth of July holiday. DMV Administrator Amy Joyce says the upgrade is necessary to maintain and improve service, but acknowledges the temporary disruption. The update affects the OLIVR system, first launched in 2019, which supports more than 30 online transactions. Customers are encouraged to complete any needed business before the outage begins.