Powering Communities Through Caring Connections

We’re kicking off National Health Center Week (NHCW)! This year’s theme, ‘Powering Communities Through Caring Connections’ couldn’t be more symbolic of CCC’s work over the last year. President and CEO Dr. Andy Mendenhall highlights a few of CCC’s recent health-related accomplishments.

There’s so much to celebrate; it’s so impressive what our teams have accomplished over the last year!

1. We began implementation of OCHIN Epic so that we can improve client service benefits, create connections with other health care providers and improve quality outcomes. CCC client records are now connected to every major health system in our region; this is an enormous accomplishment. And while I know it hasn’t been without significant challenges, our teams have gone above and beyond to make this transition happen and we acknowledge there are ongoing improvements that are needed. Thanks for your support and engagement as we modernize to a needed, regional standard for connection and data-sharing.

2. We launched a new Mobile Health program to move the front door of health care. CCC now offers a range of expanded primary care which includes behavioral health care, improving access to services and housing resources. Our two large, custom-made vans allow our teams to directly provide wound care, physical exams, infectious disease screening, vaccinations, and medications in a mobile setting. Our teams are also on the street during extreme weather events, providing services and support to our homeless neighbors.

3. CCC has seen a growing need for increased residential treatment capacity in the community to support people exiting Hooper, those who need an extended period of residential treatment before they can be successful in recovery-supportive housing and substance use disorder (SUD) intensive outpatient placement.

We partnered with the State, County, City and CareOregon to purchase a building located in SE Portland. It was a momentous collaboration to grow our system of care in a very compressed timeline, a sign of the urgency and need for this investment. Planning for a 74-bed residential treatment center is underway. Set to open in Spring 2025, the new 16 x Burnside Recovery Center will fill a direct gap in needed treatment options in the central city.

4. We completed a major relocation of our Recuperative Care Program (RCP) to our new Evergreen Crossing building and increased the number of beds from 51 to 84. RCP provides medical recuperation services for low-income and homeless individuals who have received medical care through a hospital system, providing essential continuing and proactive support for effective recovery. We also opened the new Evergreen Crossing Primary Care Clinic to treat clients in RCP.

5. We completed renovations on River Haven, our 70-unit transitional recovery housing building (recall, it was an old hotel!). We filled in the pool and built out administrative spaces while adding clinical space as well as a community kitchen.

6. We launched the Behavioral Health Training Academy (BHTA), a training program for CCC employees focused on behavioral health career paths, helping to fill a critical gap in our state for: 

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC 1)  

• Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHA 1)  

• Peer Support Specialist trainings and certifications: Certified Recovery Mentors (CRM) and Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS)

Underlying all of these projects are the daily, ongoing services our staff provides at Old Town Clinic/Old Town Recovery Clinic and Blackburn, ranging from primary care to SUDS to acupuncture and pharmacy. Our clinics are the “backbone” of our health services, treating thousands of individuals every year.

At CCC, we know recovery, whether it is from substance use, trauma or unwellness, is possible. We are reminded of this every day by the successful journeys we see in our work. While I know the work can be hard and sometimes overwhelming, every day, we see hope in the lives transformed through the successful journeys of the thousands served by CCC.

As we celebrate NHCW, I thank each of CCC’s employees for their individual commitment and for collaborating with each other and our partners to serve our community every day. Thank you for your support and helping build a community where everyone can thrive.

In gratitude, 

Andy