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Governor Kulongoski's recommended budget eliminated 84.5% of treatment funding, which would have included all residential beds in Oregon. Fortunately, this drastic measure has been averted. Willamette Family staff, the Board of Directors, and clients wrote letters to all state representatives, attended and participated in town hall meetings, and a Ways and Means Budget Committee meeting. Along with thousands of other voices throughout the state, the message was heard and the legislative proposed budget had NO cuts to addiction treatment.
However, the budget does include cuts to prevention and we are still hopeful that some form of the beer tax will pass which will allow for expansion of addictions treatment, full funding for prevention efforts, and the ability to roll out Measure 57, which the voters passed in 2008. The tax is still "on the table," and we should know more in a few weeks.
Needless to say, it is encouraging that our initial fears did not materialize and we are most grateful to be able to continue our mission of providing comprehensive residential and outpatient treatment to those in need.