Chair Vega Pederson proposes ‘critical’ budget amendment to fund school-based mental health care

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County leaders are making changes to the proposed $4 billion budget to prioritize mental health in schools.

Initially, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson’s budget eliminated money that would pay for four, full-time mental health consultants at local schools.
 
Now, she’s co-sponsoring an amendment by Commissioner Julia-Brim Edwards to save those positions by restoring nearly $700,000 in funding.

“I appreciate the collaboration between our offices to honor all the community voices that have spoken out about the importance of this critical work to support our youth and families,” Vega Pederson said.

According to the amendment, that funding would come from the $250,000 in revenue generated by the county’s school-based mental health program.
 
The remaining balance would be offset by reducing one new position and contracted services in the health department’s proposed budget.

“While we seek support from our board to fund these services, we must continue our conversations with our partners in this work and use this next year to uncover ways to increase business rigor so that this program is more self-sustaining in times of financial uncertainty while also keeping services available to as many children as possible,” Vega Pederson said.