After announcing earlier this week it would suspend operations, Columbia River Mental Health Services has found a way to continue providing select behavioral health programs, including methadone distribution at its NorthStar Clinic — at least for now.

The nonprofit’s announcement Monday about the suspension of services left thousands who depend on it for counseling and psychiatric care with few answers. Initially, the organization said adult, child and family mental health counseling, as well as psychiatric medication management, would be impacted.

However, Columbia River Mental Health Services will continue offering five services to the community: NorthStar Clinic opioid treatment services, the Program of Assertive Community Treatment , mobile health team, Forensic Housing and Recovery Peer Services, and Trueblood housing support, Chief Operating Officer Kelly Ferguson said.

“We value our patients and employees and are still fighting to find funding. We realize this news was a shock to the community,” Ferguson said in an email Friday.

CONTINUE READING
RELATED ARTICLES