Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 309 - OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, HEALTH SYSTEMS DIVISION: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
Oregon Administrative Rules – Chapter 309: Oregon Health Authority, Health Systems Division: Behavioral Health Services
Chapter 309 of the Oregon Administrative Rules governs the Behavioral Health Services under the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Health Systems Division. These rules set the standards, procedures, and policies for delivering mental health and substance use disorder services throughout Oregon.
Main Purpose of Chapter 309
The primary goal is to ensure that behavioral health services are accessible, safe, effective, and culturally appropriate for individuals and communities. It includes regulations for mental health treatment, addiction recovery, crisis response, licensing of facilities, and oversight of care providers.
Key Areas Covered in Chapter 309
1. Mental Health Services
Sets the standards for outpatient, residential, and inpatient mental health services.
Includes care for children, adolescents, and adults with mental health conditions.
Addresses requirements for treatment planning, client rights, and coordinated care.
Encourages person-centered and trauma-informed care.
2. Substance Use Disorder Services
Establishes rules for providing assessment, detoxification, treatment, and recovery support for people with substance use issues.
Includes both voluntary and court-mandated treatment programs.
Emphasizes harm reduction, relapse prevention, and community-based recovery support.
3. Licensing and Certification of Programs
All providers (hospitals, clinics, residential facilities, etc.) must meet licensing and operational standards under Chapter 309.
The rules cover:
Staff qualifications
Facility safety
Confidentiality and records
Emergency preparedness
Complaint procedures and inspections
4. Peer Support and Recovery Services
Recognizes the role of peer-delivered services—support offered by individuals with lived experience.
Includes certification processes for Peer Support Specialists, Recovery Mentors, and Family Support Specialists.
Encourages integration of peer support in all behavioral health programs.
5. Crisis and Emergency Services
Rules for mobile crisis teams, suicide prevention, 24/7 crisis response, and acute care coordination.
Also covers psychiatric security review procedures, relevant in legal or forensic mental health situations.
6. Children’s Behavioral Health Services
Special provisions for mental health and substance use services tailored to children and youth, including early intervention.
Emphasizes coordination with schools, juvenile justice systems, and child welfare agencies.
7. Community Mental Health Programs (CMHPs)
CMHPs are county-based agencies or contractors that deliver public behavioral health services.
Chapter 309 outlines how CMHPs must operate, including:
Service delivery standards
Data collection and reporting
Accountability and funding agreements
8. Integrated and Coordinated Care
Encourages integration of behavioral health with primary care, housing support, and other services.
Rules align with Oregon’s focus on Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) to provide holistic, team-based treatment.
Rights of Individuals Receiving Services
Chapter 309 includes protections for client rights, such as:
Informed consent
Confidentiality
Freedom from abuse
Participation in treatment planning
Access to grievance procedures
Oversight and Enforcement
The Oregon Health Authority is responsible for:
Monitoring compliance
Conducting audits and inspections
Enforcing disciplinary actions when providers violate rules
Goals of Chapter 309
Promote recovery-oriented systems of care
Ensure access to high-quality, equitable behavioral health services
Support local innovation while maintaining state standards
Protect the safety and dignity of individuals with behavioral health needs
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