News

(SEASIDE, Oregon) January 9, 2025 – Columbia Pacific CCO has announced two sets of grants to be awarded to local organizations that are making a difference in the social safety net, health care and community resources.

As the coordinated care organization (CCO) for Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties, Columbia Pacific CCO exists to support community members in accessing care and the providers who respond to community needs. These funding awards are designed to enhance programs that comprise the social safety net, and to improve access to care.

“This year marks the final year of our 2020-2024 Regional Health Improvement Plan. We are incredibly grateful for the local partners who have helped us advance the plan’s priority areas, and we look forward to working on our next five-year plan to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Executive Director Mimi Haley.

Board-approved grants

Columbia Pacific’s Board of Directors has awarded five large grants designed to improve access to care in Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook counties. Aligned with the priorities of the 2020-2024 Regional Health Improvement Plan, these grants reflect long-term efforts to address care gaps.

One of the largest awards will help Tillamook County Community Health Centers add a clinical pharmacist to its team. The two-year grant will help cover the cost of hiring and funding the position until it becomes financially self-sustaining.

“Columbia Pacific’s support helps us address the critical need in our area for more clinical pharmacists,” said Marlene Putman, administrator of Tillamook County Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center.

“Clinical pharmacists,” she added, “work directly with patients and other health care professionals to improve outcomes and patient experience. By helping to care for patients with chronic conditions, they also lighten the workload of physicians and nurse practitioners, resulting in better access to care and reduced appointment wait times for everyone.”

Additional awardees include a program for mobile shower units for community members experiencing houselessness, support for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library book gifting program, and supportive programming for neurodivergent teens.

A complete list of organizations receiving large grants is below.

Community advisory council-approved Community Wellness Investment Fund grants

The second round of grants, from the Community Wellness Investment Fund (CWIF), provide vital funding to local nonprofits addressing critical needs such as foster care advocacy and food insecurity among high school students and their families.

These grants are reviewed and approved by Columbia Pacific’s three Community Advisory Councils, one representing each county served. Over half the members of each council are Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members or have a family member covered by OHP. Their input ensures grant decisions reflect community voices and align with the Regional Health Improvement Plan.

“These small grants have an outsized impact in our communities,” said Holly Pennock, chair of Columbia Pacific’s Community Advisory Council for Columbia County. “They provide access to healthy activities and opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable in rural communities, strengthening our social fabric.”

CWIF grant awardees include community resilience services, such as the Tillamook Early Learning Center, which now offers scholarships to families in need, and organizations like Hope of Rainier and Turning Point Community Center, which provide healthy food for school-aged children and their families during weekends and holiday breaks.

A complete list of CWIF grant recipients is below.

About Columbia Pacific CCO

Columbia Pacific CCO, part of the CareOregon family of companies, is proud to serve more than 35,000 Oregon Health Plan members living in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. As a nonprofit coordinated care organization (CCO), we provide physical, dental and mental health care through a growing network of health care providers. Our priorities are guided by our local board of directors, community advisory councils and clinical advisory panel, and are informed by extensive community engagement. Columbia Pacific is committed to promoting the health of all those in our region. We focus on increasing access to language services, offering treatment for those experiencing substance use disorders, providing affordable housing, and fostering connections that promote social health.

List of grant awardees

Board-approved grant recipients (grouped by priority area):

Chronic disease prevention

Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy in Wheeler – $250,000

Supporting the opening of a new 16,000-square-foot health center and pharmacy. The one-time grant provides the remaining funds needed to open the new facility, which will be twice the size of the existing clinic. The larger space will allow the Federally Qualified Health Center to better serve north Tillamook County’s widely dispersed population.

Access to care (behavioral health)

Dual Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon – $190,474

Supporting in-person and online meetings, community education and engagement events. Online meetings will help improve access in a rural region where many residents face transportation barriers. Grant funding will also help the organization continue to offer peer-run support services for people who are in recovery and have mental health challenges.

Access to social safety net

Clatsop Community Action – $158,550

Supporting a program to bring mobile shower units (along with soap and other personal-hygiene items) directly to community members experiencing houselessness in Clatsop County. The county has the highest per-capita rate of houselessness in the state. Providing a safe, clean place to shower can improve the self-esteem, sense of dignity and overall health of people experiencing houselessness.

First Steps Center for Autism + Developmental Disabilities in Warrenton – $50,000

Supporting the expansion of a nurturing environment for neurodivergent teens (ages 13 to 19) in Clatsop County. The space will provide neurodivergent teens with a safe place for activities, support groups and workshops, helping them to create a supportive community and engage with peers and ultimately reducing social isolation.

Family resilience

Northwest Regional Education Service District – $36,472

Supports the Dolly Parton Imagination Library book-gifting program for young children in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. Columbia Pacific has partnered with the Northwest Early Learning Hub, part of the Northwest Regional Education Service District, to administer the program locally since early 2018.

Community Wellness Investment Fund grant recipients (grouped by priority area):

Community resilience and trauma informed care

CASA for Children – $25,000

Supporting the recruitment, training and supervision of court-appointed special advocates who will serve all children in foster care in Columbia and Tillamook counties. Grant funding will also support an expanded teen program to better meet the needs of youth aging out of foster care.

Tillamook Early Learning Center – $25,000

Funding scholarships for up to three special needs children at the center. Provides each with a 50% scholarship on full-time enrollment or a full scholarship for two- or three-day attendance.

Wildflower Play Collective – $25,000

Funding memberships for Oregon Health Plan families, improving access to enriching play opportunities for young children and parenting resources.

The Playground Indoor Skatepark – $15,000

Supporting staff efforts to build business relationships and secure resources for The Playground in St. Helens.  Further development of partnerships will enhance programming and capacity in other areas, including youth mentorship and skills training.

Access to the social safety net

Oregon Family Support Network – $25,000

Supporting services to families with children experiencing complex mental, behavioral and other health challenges. The aim is to reduce community barriers to services, as well as early identification of developmental or emotional delays in infants and children.

Sande School of Horsemanship – $23,496

Funding the recruiting, hiring, training and supervision of mental health and other staff to add equine-assisted psychotherapy to youth-leadership classes. Equine-assisted psychotherapy refers to activities with horses under the supervision of trained professionals that promote mental health and well-being.

United Way of Columbia County – $19,250

Funding the continued growth of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program for Columbia County. The program helps support the health of volunteers through social connections, access to services and physical and mental activity. In turn, volunteers help improve the health of communities by working to improve access to food resources, information and more.

Hope of Rainer – $10,000

Funding a partnership with the Rainer School District to fill backpacks with healthy food to support the nutritional needs of students and family members during weekends.

Turning Point Community Center – $10,000

Funding a partnership with the Clatskanie School District to fill backpacks with healthy food to support the nutritional needs of students and family members during weekends.

Columbia Health Services – $6,500

Supporting transportation vouchers for Dial-a-Ride services. Based on a successful pilot program, the vouchers will increase access to care and social safety net services for low-income clients.

Access to behavioral health

Baby Blues Connection – $24,160

Supporting efforts to improve perinatal mental health (mental health during pregnancy and up to two years after giving birth) in Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties by increasing access to behavioral health resources. Includes direct support to parents and education for perinatal professionals, in addition to efforts to reduce the stigma related to mental health in communities.