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Have more questions? Contact the SHIFT team at SHIFT@careoregon.org

Advancing behavioral health in Oregon

CareOregon’s Strategic Healthcare Investment for Transformation (SHIFT) initiative is a new investment in transforming specialty behavioral health organizations across Oregon so that people with behavioral health needs are truly at the center of care delivery, and care teams can thrive. Through a collaborative process, SHIFT will build client-driven, outcomes-focused, team-based care models that eliminate health inequities, assure timely access to care, and prepare providers for advanced value-based payment models. FIT is the back bone of SHIFT as it ensures client-centered transformation through a culture of feedback.

Why now?

CareOregon is committed to a vision where members in each of its regions have access to a high-performing behavioral health home. Decades of systemic underinvestment in behavioral health at the local, state and federal levels has resulted in significant access challenges and health inequities. Today, we are entering a new phase of opportunity for transforming behavioral health. New and significant financial investments are being made to shore up specialty behavioral health services, and we must capitalize on this opportunity to reimagine and transform the practice of care delivery.

SHIFT components

The SHIFT initiative will support clinical, financial and operational transformation of outpatient behavioral health by:

Defining the principles and operational components (“Building Blocks”) of excellent behavioral health care, in collaboration with community stakeholders.
Engaging seven diverse behavioral health agencies and providing them with intensive technical and financial resources to implement the Building Blocks, learn what works, and accomplish the SHIFT first cohort goals.
Pending the success of earlier stages, refining the initiative and expanding its reach to additional behavioral health agencies across CareOregon’s networks.

Welcoming the first SHIFT cohort!

Eligible mental health and substance use treatment agencies across CareOregon’s networks, including Columbia Pacific CCO, Jackson Care Connect and Health Share of Oregon, were invited to apply for SHIFT to receive the initiative’s intensive technical and financial resources.

Six diverse behavioral health agencies have been selected to participate in this first SHIFT cohort, and we're excited to welcome the following agencies to the SHIFT community!

Cascadia

Clackamas County Health Centers

ColumbiaCare Services

Morrison Child and Family Services

New Narrative

VOA Oregon

Timeline for SHIFT

Phase	Timeline	Description
Cohort Selection	August – December 2023	CareOregon invited eligible agencies to indicate their interest and intent to apply for SHIFT by submitting a letter of intent. Agencies submitted written applications. CareOregon reviewed all written applications and invited select agencies to interview. CareOregon notified agencies selected to participate in the first SHIFT cohort.
Preparation and Planning	January - February 2024	CareOregon held a SHIFT Welcome Webinar for first cohort agencies. Agencies began working with Advisors from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing as well as their CareOregon FIT Advisor. Agencies received the first round of grant funding to support SHIFT planning activities. Metro providers updated FIT FRIFM, SOI Checklist, and existing FIT implementation plans as needed.
Assessment and Design	March – August 2024	SHIFT Cohort Launch Retreat was held on March 5-6. Agencies worked on current state assessments and developed their SHIFT business and implementation plans , including a plan to ensure platform element requirements are met. Each agency is unique and designed their own path forward ensuring the path leads to achievement of the SHIFT first cohort goals. CareOregon approved all six SHIFT agency business plans. Agencies received the second round of grant funding to support Phase 3- Platform Elements Implementation activities.
Platform Element Implementation	Starts September 2024	To be successful with SHIFT, agencies need to ensure a base level of readiness across areas like leadership capacity, data management infrastructure, and subject matter expertise. These are considered platform elements. Before launching into full implementation, agencies implement needed platform elements, based on assessment. Agencies continue FIT implementation efforts.
Begin Full SHIFT Implementation	After Platform Implementation through 2026	OnOnce platform element implementation is complete, agencies will work towards the end of 2026 goals defined in the business plan. FIT implementation continues. The remaining funding will be distributed in 3 payouts based on achievement of milestones defined in the business plan.
Sustainability and Continued Improvement	2026 and beyond	The full SHIFT and FIT transformation will not be complete in three years! Agencies will continue to build upon the initial work and focus on achieving long term SHIFT and FIT goals. Each agency will develop and implement a plan to ensure sustainability.

Instructions to access the Building Blocks Framework

The Building Blocks Framework document is available to all behavioral health providers serving CareOregon members through the Connect provider portal platforms. To access the document, follow these steps outlined below or email SHIFT@careoregon.org:

Navigate to the Connect login page and log into your account.
The Building Blocks Framework document is available to view and download from the “Resources” tab on the navigation bar located on the left side of your screen.

Frequently Asked Questions