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Extreme Risk Protection Order

EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER

Extreme Risk Protection Orders are meant to save lives by authorizing courts to temporarily prevent a person in crisis from accessing firearms. It allows law enforcement, or concerned family members and friends to intervene before the warning signs turn into tragedy. Its intent is that family members and others concerned that an individual who is suicidal or otherwise in crisis will use a firearm or other deadly weapon to seriously injure or kill himself or herself or another person.  Those that are subject to these orders are required to give all their deadly weapons and their concealed handgun license to a law enforcement agency, gun dealer, or someone else who can lawfully hold them within 24 hours. Respondents are then not allowed to possess the weapons until the order is cancelled (terminated or dismissed) by a judge or the order expires.

Any family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement can apply for an ERPO. It must be filed in the county where the Respondent lives and filed at the Circuit Court courthouse. There is no cost associated with filing an Extreme Risk Protection Order.

For full instructions and ERPO forms follow the link provided. https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Documents/ERPOPacket.pdf 

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RFP: Electronic Health Record System

Mid-Columbia Center for Living is excited to announce it is requesting proposals for an Electronic Health Record System. MCCFL (Mid-Columbia Center for Living) is the designated behavioral health agency for Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco counties. We provide services through a variety of programs funded by the State, local government, grants, and third-party resources. MCCFL has successfully operated for many years on its existing health record software. As modern requirements for quality, client care expand, it is time for MCCFL to enhance its ability to support its vision using modernized electronic systems.

Information Session
An information session will be held March 20th, 2023 at 1pm for vendors to ask questions about the released RFP with the intent for Mid-Columbia Center for Living to provide clarification on details existing in the RFP. Meeting details will be provided upon request by submitting your interest using the websites contact form below.

RFP Timeline
The RFP is available March 1 and all submissions must be received by April 3, 2023, 4:00pm Pacific Standard Time. Proposal decisions will be made in mid-April 2023. Submissions will be made through electronic mail in electronic form. You can request contact details by submitting your interest using the contact form below.

RFP & Details
Detailed information about the RFP is available in the RFP document and can be downloaded from MCCFL-EHR-RFP-032023v2-Published

Question & Answers
Version 1: Aggregate of Questions & Answers – EMR-RFP_Vendor_Questions-Answers_published_v1
Version 2: Aggregate of Questions & Answers – EMR-RFP_Vendor_Questions-Answers-v2
Version 3: Aggregate of Questions & Answers – EMR-RFP_Vendor_Questions-Answers-v3

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Press Release: Al Barton selected as New Executive Director for Mid-Columbia Center for Living

The Tri-County Mental Health Board proudly welcomes Al Barton as its new Executive Director. Mr. Barton has deep expertise with the services offered at Mid-Columbia Center for Living (MCCFL), having previously served as the Deputy Director at MCCFL. Mr. Barton’s extensive experience, combined with a deep passion for improving mental health across our community, will help to further advance the mission of the organization.

Mr. Barton received a Master of Science with a focus on Agency Counseling from The University of Arkansas and is an Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor and Counselor Supervisor as well as a certified Mental Health Examiner, Investigator and Protective Service Investigator. He began his career at MCCFL in 2008 as a Clinical Supervisor before moving to a Clinical Services Manager with MCCFL in 2009. Prior to accepting the Executive Director position, Mr. Barton served as the agency’s Deputy Director for five years and has been acting as the Interim Executive Director since July 2021.

Mr. Barton has spent most of his adult life providing mental health services to his community. Before joining MCCFL, Mr. Barton held the Executive Director position and Director of Needs Assessment and Outpatient Services at Piney Ridge Center, a psychiatric residential health facility in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He has worked in correctional, developmental disabilities and residential settings.

Mr. Barton lives in the Hood River with his wife as an “empty nester” with 3 grown children living in Oregon. He enjoys all the outdoor activities available in the Gorge including Nordic, backcountry and alpine skiing in winter, and hiking, camping and biking in all seasons. Weekends usually find him volunteering as a Mt. Hood Ski Patroller in winter and Bike Patroller in summer.
He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and continued commitment to MCCFL as he embarks on this new journey leading the agency.

“MCCFL has been through so many challenges over the last two years – a pandemic, serious financial risks, leadership departures and huge staffing needs. Behavioral health is a critical need in our community and this agency provides so many unique safety net services. I’m honored the MCCFL Board and our staff encouraged me to support them as a leader. We have stabilized with crucial support from community partners and Wasco County, the Oregon Health Authority and our two Coordinated Care Organizations (PacificSource and Eastern OR). With the help of the amazing professionals who remain we are re-building a great place to work that helps keep our community well. Here we go! ”

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How to Help those with Mental Illness or Substance Abuse

by Al Barton, Licensed Professional Counselor at MCCFL

Do you care about someone with a mental illness or substance abuse problem? You are not alone. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that one out of five Americans have a mental health condition. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) estimates almost one in 10 Americans have a substance use disorder. Many loved ones may have both a substance use problem and a mental health concern at the same time. It can be frustrating when you see the loved one’s problems clearly while they do not. There are treatments and supports in our community to help. Continue reading “How to Help those with Mental Illness or Substance Abuse”