PPS facing mental health service cuts under proposed county budget

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Mental health services at several Portland Public Schools are on the chopping block under Multnomah County’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year — a decision that has school leaders deeply concerned.

The cuts come as the county works to address a projected $77 million budget shortfall, with Chair Jessica Vega Pederson recommending significant reductions to the county’s long-standing school-based mental health program.

While the program won’t be eliminated entirely, the team of therapists who serve students across the county will be significantly reduced.

Under the proposal, four therapist positions will be cut at PPS, impacting George Middle School, Benson High School, Cleveland High School and Franklin High School.

Additionally, two therapist positions would be eliminated in the Centennial School District.

In total, the cuts would save the county approximately $661,000.

Though McDaniel High School is not directly impacted by the proposed cuts, Principal Adam Skyles says his campus could still lose therapists, as staff may be reassigned to other schools.

“We already don’t have enough spots as it is,” Skyles said. “We won’t be able to serve students at the level we are currently at — which isn’t even a level that is adequate to the need.”

The demand for mental health services at McDaniel is high. Students often face long waitlists to see a therapist, and Skyles says the county-funded staff are crucial for students without access to care through insurance.

“There are people who can access resources through insurance,” Skyles said. “But with the county’s provided resources, we are at least able to triage situations.”

Chair Jessica Vega Pederson’s office acknowledged the importance of the program but cited a $1 million loss in external funding as part of the reason for the scale-back.

“I knew that our work to support youth, children and families was too critical to lose in its entirety,” Vega Pederson said. “At the same time, this program was also facing a loss of external funding of $1 million, and it became clear that changes would be needed… My proposed budget recommends an allocation that aligns with program revisions designed to create a more sustainable program.”

Principal Skyles is urging county leaders to reconsider and find other areas to make cuts.

“Students are learning it’s appropriate to ask for support,” he said. “But when they ask, we as a community should be able to provide some level of support.”

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the final budget in June. If passed, the changes will take effect July 1, at the start of the next fiscal year.