This Oregon rule establishes a grant program administered by the Oregon Health Authority to provide sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, and housing stipends to credentialed behavioral health care workers employed at qualifying practice sites. The program aims to diversify the behavioral health workforce by improving recruitment and retention of culturally responsive, culturally specific, and linguistically specific workers serving underserved communities. Qualifying practice sites include county mental health programs, private nonprofit and for-profit behavioral health organizations, Tribal Behavioral Health Programs, Urban Indian Health Programs, CCBHCs, and community mental health programs. This rule governs workforce incentive grant administration, not facility licensing or operating standards.
View official sourceOregon Health Authority Health Systems Division: Behavioral Health Services - Chapter 309 Division 83 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE BONUS AND HOUSING STIPEND INCENTIVE PROGRAM 309-083-0000 Purpose and Scope This division establishes the Behavioral Health Care Bonus and Housing Stipend Incentive Program within the Oregon Health Authority (Authority). The program offers grants to organizations that employ credentialed behavioral health care workers with the aim of diversifying the behavioral health workforce by improving recruitment efforts of culturally responsive, culturally specific, and linguistically specific behavioral health care workers. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 & 413.042 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 675.655 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023 309-083-0010 Definitions The following definitions apply to OAR 309-083-0000 to OAR 309-083-0600: (1) “Authority” means the Oregon Health Authority. (2) “Behavioral health care worker” has the meaning given the term in OAR 309-081-0020. (3) “Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor” means a behavioral health professional that practices substance use disorder counseling pursuant to OAR 309-019-0125(9). (4) “Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Candidate or CADC-R” is a behavioral health care worker that has registered with the Division recognized credentialing body within 30 days of hire and intends to obtain professional substance use disorder treatment certification within two years from the date of first hire. (5) “Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor” means a behavioral health professional who practices gambling addiction counseling pursuant to OAR 309-019-0125(10)(e). (6) “Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor” is a behavioral health worker certified by the Division credentialing body to provide gambling mentor services. (7) “Certified Prevention Specialist” is a behavioral health worker certified by the Division credentialing body to provide prevention specialist services. (8) “Certified Recovery Mentor” is a behavioral health care worker that has completed an approved addiction peer training program and is certified by the Division credentialing body to provide recovery mentor services. (9) “Clinical Social Worker Associate” means an individual certified to practice clinical social work under required clinical supervision pursuant to ORS 675.537. (10) “Clinical Nurse Specialist” means a licensed registered nurse who has been licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing as qualified to practice the expanded clinical specialty nursing role pursuant to ORS 678.010 to 678.410. (11) “Communities of color” means members of the following racial or ethnic communities, but not limited to: (a) American Indian; (b) Alaska Native; (c) Hispanic or Latino/a/x; (d) Asian; (e) Native Hawaiian; (f) Pacific Islander; (g) African American; (h) Middle Eastern; (i) African; (j) Mixed race; or (k) Other racial or ethnic groups. (12) “Communities who are underserved” include, but are not limited to, communities of color, Tribal members, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, refugees, immigrants, veterans, persons with disabilities, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals incarcerated or incapacitated as a result of contact with the criminal legal system, and rural residents. (13) “Direct behavioral health care services” has the meaning given that term in OAR 309-081-0010. (14) “Division” means the Health Systems Division of the Oregon Health Authority, or its designee. (15) “Full time equivalent (FTE)” employment means the total number of regular straight-time hours worked (i.e., not including overtime or holiday hours worked) by employees divided by the number of compensable hours applicable to each fiscal year. Annual leave, sick leave, compensatory time off and other approved leave categories are considered "hours worked" for purposes of defining full-time equivalent employment. (16) “Licensed Art Therapist” means an individual licensed to practice art therapy pursuant to ORS 681.740-758. (17) “Licensed Certified Art Therapist” means an individual licensed to practice art therapy pursuant to ORS 681.740-758. (18) “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” means an individual licensed to practice clinical social work pursuant to ORS 675.530. (19) “Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist” has the meaning given that term in ORS 675.715. (20) “Licensed Professional Counselor” has the meaning given that term in ORS 675.715. (21) “Licensed Psychologist” means an individual licensed to practice psychology pursuant to ORS 675.010-675.090. (22) “Marriage and Family Associate” is an individual registered to practice counseling under clinical supervision pursuant to ORS 675.720. (23) “Nurse Practitioner” means a registered nurse who has been licensed by the board as qualified to practice in an expanded specialty role within the practice of nursing pursuant to ORS 678.010 to 678.410. (24) “Permanent employment position” means an employment relationship where an individual receives payment directly from an employer and the arrangement does not include a set end date. (25) “Professional Counselor Associate” is an individual registered to practice counseling under clinical supervision pursuant to ORS 675.720. (26) “Psychiatrist” means a physician licensed as provided pursuant to ORS 677.010 to 677.450 by the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Oregon and who has completed an approved residency training program in psychiatry. (27) “Psychologist Resident Associate” means an individual licensed to practice psychology under residency supervision pursuant to ORS 675.030, 675.040 - 675.050, 675.065 & 675.110. (28) Qualified Mental Health Associate or QMHA” has the meaning given that term in OAR 309-019-0125(11). (29) “Qualified Mental Health Professional or QMHP” has the meaning given that term in OAR 309-019-0125(12) (30) "Qualifying Practice Site" means a behavioral health site operated by: (a) A county mental health program; (b) A private non-profit behavioral health organization; or (c) A private for-profit behavioral health organization. (d) Tribal Behavioral Health Program; or (e) Urban Indian Health Program; or (f) Other organizations that employ credentialed employees who provide Direct behavioral health care services. (31) “Registered Mental Health Associate (QMHA-R)” means an individual who is registered with the Division recognized credentialing body, is completing supervised experience, and testing to become certified as a Qualified Mental Health Associate. (32) “Rural” means any geographic area in Oregon ten or more miles from the center of a population center of 40,000 people or more. (33) “Telehealth” means the provision of health services from a distance using electronic communications. (34) “Traditional Health Worker (THW)” has the meaning given that term in ORS 414.665 and OAR 410-180-0310. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 414.665, 675.010-675.110, 675.530, 675.537, 675.655, 675.715, 675.720, 677.010-677.450, 678.740-681.758 & OAR 410-180-0310 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023 309-083-0020 Behavioral Health Care Worker Bonus and Housing Stipend Program Fund Distribution (1) Qualified practice sites may apply for grants up to an amount determined by the authority. (2) Types of bonuses that may be provided by grant awardees include: (a) Sign-on bonuses to behavioral health care workers filling vacant and permanent employment positions that the applicant intends to maintain. (b) Retention bonuses to behavioral health care workers currently occupying permanent employment positions. (3) Workers receiving a bonus must provide Direct behavioral health care services to Communities who are underserved, and are licensees, certificate holders, registrants, or associates credentialed in Oregon as one of the following: (a) Licensed Clinical Social Worker; (b) Licensed Psychologist; (c) Licensed Professional Counselor; (d) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; (e) Clinical Social Worker Associate; (f) Psychologist Resident Associate; (g) Professional Counselor Associate; (h) Marriage and Family Associate; (i) Qualified Mental Health Professional; (j) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor; (k) Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor; (l) Qualified Mental Health Associate; (m) Certified Recovery Mentor; (n) Traditional Health Worker; (o) Certified Prevention Specialist; (p) Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor; (q) Registered Mental Health Associate (QMHA-R); (r) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Candidate (CADC-R); (s) Licensed Certified Art Therapist; (t) Licensed Art Therapist; (u) Psychiatrist; (v) Nurse Practitioner; (w) Clinical Nurse Specialists; (x) Other credentialed providers whose credentials are not listed, but also provide direct behavioral health care services using their credentials (4) Grant awardees may provide housing stipends to behavioral health care workers currently occupying permanent employment positions. (5) Workers receiving a housing stipend will provide direct behavioral health services to communities who are underserved, and are licensees, certificate holders, registrants, or associates credentialed in Oregon as one of the following: (a) Licensed Clinical Social Worker; (b) Licensed Psychologist; (c) Licensed Professional Counselor; (d) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; (e) Clinical Social Worker Associate; (f) Psychologist Resident Associate; (g) Professional Counselor Associate; (h) Marriage and Family Associate; (i) Qualified Mental Health Professional; (j) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor; (k) Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor; (l) Qualified Mental Health Associate; (m) Certified Recovery Mentor; (n) Traditional Health Worker; (o) Certified Prevention Specialist; (p) Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor; (q) Registered Mental Health Associate (QMHA-R); (r) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Candidate (CADC-R); (s) Licensed Certified Art Therapist; (t) Licensed Art Therapist; (u) Psychiatrist; (v) Nurse Practitioner; (w) Clinical Nurse Specialist; (x) Other credentialed providers whose credentials are not listed, but also provide direct behavioral health care services using their credentials. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 675.655 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023 309-083-0030 Eligibility Criteria specific to the Behavioral Health Care Worker Bonus and Housing Stipend Program (1) The Authority may determine the eligibility of qualified practice sites for sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, and housing stipends for Behavioral Health Care Workers by: (a) Determining that a qualifying practice site employs or contracts with behavioral health care workers with associate, bachelor, master, doctoral degrees or other state registered credentials, and that provide direct behavioral health care to Communities who are Underserved. (b) Practice site location and their: (A) Ability to recruit and retain behavioral health care worker positions; (B) Plan or intention to use funds for bonuses and/or stipends. (c) Quantity of full time equivalent behavioral health care workers; (d) Other eligibility criteria as determined by the Authority. (2) All retention bonuses under this rule shall be paid only to existing employees filling permanent behavioral health care worker employment positions. (3) All sign-on and housing stipends under this rule shall be paid only to credentialed employees filling vacant and permanent behavioral health care worker employment positions. (4) No bonus or housing stipend under this rule shall be provided to workers who fill temporary or seasonal employment positions. (5) A practice site shall not suspend or terminate current employment positions for the purpose of using bonuses to recruit employees to fill those positions. (6) Behavioral health care workers relocating from another state and completing the reciprocation process of a behavioral health care license or certification from a Division recognized credentialing body are eligible for housing stipends. When reciprocity is achieved the license or certification shall have been issued by one of the following governing bodies: (a) Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers; (b) Oregon Board of Psychology; (c) Oregon Health Licensing Office's Art Therapy Program; (d) Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO); (e) Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists; (f) Oregon Medical Board; (g) Oregon State Board of Nursing; (h) Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; (i) Oregon Traditional Health Worker Registry; (j) Other credentialing bodies recognized by the Authority. (7) Applicant organizations designated as rural may provide housing stipends to behavioral health worker employees. (8) Applicant organizations that are not designated as rural may provide housing stipends to direct behavioral health care workers with the following credentials: (a) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor; (b) Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor; (c) Qualified Mental Health Associate; (d) Certified Recovery Mentor; (e) Traditional Health Worker; (f) Certified Prevention specialist; (g) Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor; (h) Registered Mental Health Associate; (i) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Candidate; (j) Other credentialed providers whose credentials are not listed, but also provide similar direct behavioral health care services using their credentials as compared to what is listed above (a)-(i). (9) Telehealth behavioral health care worker positions are eligible for sign-on bonuses and retention bonuses. (10) Telehealth behavioral health care worker positions are eligible for housing stipends if they meet other eligibility criteria to receive housing stipends above. (11) The Authority may prioritize funding for applicants that include but are not limited to: (a) Qualified practice sites that employ less than 25 full time equivalent direct behavioral health care workers; (b) Qualified practice sites that have vacant and culturally specific and culturally responsive direct behavioral health care worker positions; (c) Tribal Behavioral Health Programs; (d) Urban Indian Programs; (e) Qualified Practice Sites located in rural areas; (f) Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics; (g) Community Mental Health Programs. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 & 413.042 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 675.655 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023 309-083-0040 Application and Review Process specific to the Behavioral Healthcare Worker Bonus and Housing Stipend Program (1) The Authority may offer its application processes online. (2) The Authority shall review those applications that meet all requirements established in the solicitations issued. (a) The Authority shall return incomplete applications, and upon resubmittal, they shall be processed as of the new date of receipt when they are determined complete; (b) The Authority shall notify applicants of the status of their completed applications as determined by the Authority. (3) The Authority may consider the following factors in determining whether to award a grant to an eligible site for participation in the program which include the: (a) Impact of the project on advancing health equity; (b) Impact of the project on expanding access to culturally responsive, linguistically specific, and culturally specific care; (c) Opportunity for expanding access to linguistically appropriate services; (d) Ability of the organization to leverage existing community resources and partnerships; (e) Opportunity of the project to increase the recruitment and retention of behavioral health workers who are from Communities who are Underserved. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 & 413.042 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 675.655 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023 309-083-0050 Program Integrity (1) Awarded programs shall collect data that it will report to the Authority. (2) The Authority shall analyze and monitor the operation of the program, and audit and verify the accuracy and appropriateness of all payments made under the terms of this program. To promote the integrity of the program, the Authority may require participants and any other parties to develop and maintain adequate financial and other documentation as determined by the Authority to be necessary. The Authority may communicate with and coordinate any program integrity actions with the federal and state oversight authorities. (3) Any overpayment made to an individual or carrier is subject to recovery. The Authority shall take appropriate action and may redress payment errors or false claims for payment under the program. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 & 413.042 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 675.655 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023 309-083-0060 Data Sharing (1) The Authority may not share data about program participants, other than for purposes of planning, program evaluation or analysis. (2) Data may only be shared with: (a) Agencies, offices, or contractors of the Authority; (b) The Oregon Employment Department; and (c) Non-governmental entities, not noted above, only with written approval from the Director of the Authority. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 675.655 & 413.042 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 675.655 History: BHS 6-2023, adopt filed 01/31/2023, effective 02/01/2023