In 2019 Healthcare and Education leaders in the Portland metropolitan area got together to explore collaborative, innovative approaches to meeting the needs of the children and families they collectively serve.

Initially designed as a table where the relationship between schools, payors, providers, and the Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO) could be aligned, there were early successes in working to improve dental care for children, aligning education priorities to CCO quality metrics, and a successful public campaign to support and recognize the work of educators during the pandemic.

However, COVID-19 altered the immediate focus as the pandemic significantly increased the level of stress on families, many of which were already struggling. One outcome was a collective recognition of the gaps in the behavioral healthcare system to serve Oregon’s children and their families.

With a renewed focus on these issues at all levels of Government, the group pivoted its work to design a long-term solution.