Racism is a Public Health Crisis

A Statement from CAHOOTS

Written by Ebony Morgan
CAHOOTS Crisis Intervention
Communications Team

Cahoots has been operating as a mobile crisis intervention program in Eugene since 1989. We respond in teams of two with a medic and trained crisis worker, handling 20% of the 911 calls in our area last year. This is a responsibility we take extremely seriously, and we feel privileged to do this work.

Across the nation, communities are demanding that elected leaders defund police, reallocate resources, and re-evaluate current approaches to public safety. As the first program of our kind, we are in a unique position to share our experience and knowledge with other cities that are now considering alternatives to policing. We are humbled by this and have become acutely aware of our privileged position within a system designed to oppress.

At our roots, Cahoots is innovative, forward-thinking, and dedicated to serving marginalized populations. Despite this, we are not immune to the effects of systemic racism and if we are going to lead by example, we must first do the work internally. We take responsibility for our past silence, and we commit to being advocates for change. We are actively seeking out, evaluating, and eradicating the ways that white supremacy exists within our structure and we encourage other organizations to do the same.

Cahoots proudly stands with Black Lives Matter. We believe it is not enough simply to disapprove of racism. Rather, we assert that individuals, organizations, communities, and the nation as a whole have a responsibility to be anti-racist. We will speak up when we see power inequities. We will amplify oppressed voices. We will continue to educate ourselves. We will not shy away from any aforementioned commitments due to potential risks. We will reflect regularly and welcome feedback as we learn to use our privilege constructively.

We are appalled by the lynching of George Floyd, aware that he was not the first nor the last to die a preventable death due to the color of his skin. Police brutality is not an isolated issue. It is a symptom of the broader toxic culture of white supremacy that was woven into the fiber of this nation as we know it during its inception.

Racism is a public health crisis. For the sake of health equity, we have a responsibility to dismantle systems of oppression. This will take a lot of effort and we will have to be intentional about addressing racism’s effects on the social determinants of health. We must begin this work immediately.

LA Times looks to Northwest cities to reimagine law enforcement

By RICHARD READ

SEATTLE BUREAU CHIEF
Los Angeles Times

JUNE 12, 2020

“Across the nation, political leaders are struggling to strike a balance between righting injustices in ways that might mollify those protesting racism and brutality while at the same time maintaining public safety. Some of the more original experiments in reimagining policing are unfolding in the Pacific Northwest…teams in Eugene handled 18% of the 133,000 calls to 911 last year, requesting police backup only 150 times, said Chris Hecht, executive coordinator of White Bird Clinic, which runs the operation called Cahoots. The program, short for Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets, operated on a $2-million budget last year that he said saved the Eugene-Springfield, Ore., area about $14 million in costs of ambulance transport and emergency room care.

Hecht said that the teams, in place for three decades, can arrive at the scene of a homeless person experiencing a physical or mental health crisis, defuse the situation and prevent harm in ways that police officers are neither trained nor equipped to do.

“The folks we’re working with often have a history of really unfortunate interactions with police, hospitals or other institutions,” Hecht said. “When a couple of people step out of one of our vans wearing jeans and hoodies, just right there we have a leg up on our colleagues in public safety.”

Read more…

Cities Ask if It’s Time to Defund Police and ‘Reimagine’ Public Safety’

from the New York Times, June 5, 2020

“One model that members of the Minneapolis City Council cite is Cahoots, a nonprofit mobile crisis intervention program that has handled mental health calls in Eugene, OR since 1989.

CAHOOTS employees responded to more than 24,000 calls for service last year — about 20 percent of the area’s 911 calls — on a budget of about $2 million, probably far less than what it would cost the Police Department to do the work, said coordinator Tim Black.

“There’s a strong argument to be made from a fiscally conservative perspective,” Mr. Black said. “Public safety institutions generally have these massive budgets and there’s questions about what they are doing.”

Read more…

Community BIPOC Fundraiser

Fundraiser Ended

Sarah Knapp from Northwest Tattoo has set up a temporary storefront featuring goods and services from local tattooers, artists, and professionals in the Eugene/ Springfield area with 100% of the profits going directly to local Black, Indigenous, People Of Color (BIPOC) supporting organizations; White Bird’s CAHOOTS program, Community Alliance of Lane County, and the Eugene-Springfield chapter of NAACP.

The fundraiser begins June 25 at https://bipocfundraiser.com and will remain open through noon on July 9.

Also See:

White Bird Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

White Bird Clinic was founded 50 years ago as an alternative for those who were alienated and disenfranchised by the dominant culture. We are outraged that half a century later there is still a lack of equality, justice, and freedom across our country. We recognize our privilege and our responsibility to employ that privilege to dismantle the racist systems, policies, and attitudes that contributed to the brutal and tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others before them.

As a collective, we uphold the principle that the revolution against institutional racism and genocidal violence is not contingent on what is convenient for the white community. We will begin the fight by looking within to identify all policies and practices that are rooted in racism and excise them. We will insist that our work lives up to our values and be grounded in racial equity. We will battle the systematic oppression that subjugates people of color. White Bird Clinic stands with Black Lives Matter. We see you. We reject the institutions that oppress you. We honor your voices. We act with you.

COVID-19 Centro de Recursos

Ahora Abierto

Punto de registro de lugares temporarios de refugio, suministro para tiendas de campana, evaluación de COVID-19, ropa, agua potable, estaciones de para lavarse las manos, y baños. Abierto diariamente de 9am a 5pm

341 E 12th Ave, Eugene, OR
541-342-8255

Recursos de la comunidad


Ayude a proteger nuestra comunidad

Estas son algunas ideas para mantenerse seguro

Mantenga su lugar limpio

Limpie toda las superficies que sus manos hayan tocado, antes y después de ser usadas, con tallas desinfectantes, alcohol (de al menos 60%), o cloro (agua lavandina).

Si usted se enferma

Quédese en casa si usted puede y trate de minimizar el contacto cercano con otras personas. Controle su fiebre, y evite estar con otros mientras usted este enfermos. Si usted tienen que estar alrededor de otras personas, use un barbijo así de esta manera usted no tose en los demás y transmite el virus. Si los síntomas se transforman en severos, valla al servicio médico de urgencia o al departamento de emergencia.

Cuide de usted mismo

Si usted está en cuarentena, atienda su salud mental y asegúrese de tener todo lo indispensable y el mayor apoyo posible (apoyo emocional, alimentos, higiene, medicamentos, económico) White Bird Clinic tiene servicios de telesalud, consejería, tratamientos de salud mental y los beneficios de servicios de asistencia están disponibles para ayudar.


Servicios de Crisis: White Bird es el servicio primario de Lane County de servicio gratis de intervención de crisis. Por más de 50 años, nosotros hemos estado ofreciendo servicio inmediato, a corto plazo, por teléfono las 24 horas del día.

541-687-4000
1-800-422-7558

CAHOOTS: Asistencia de ayuda en caso de crisis en las calles CAHOOTS provee 24/7 inmediata estabilización en caso de urgencia médica o crisis psicológica, información y referidos, consejería, y asesoramiento en los pasos a seguir en terapia.

Eugene: (541) 682-5111
Springfield: (541) 726-3714

COVID-19 Resource Center

The shelter-in-place program with the City of Eugene has ended but we are still providing supports to unsheltered individuals at our main facility at 341 E 12th Avenue from 9:30am to 5pm daily.

Our dedicated, hard-working distribution center staff provide clothing, medical screenings, mail services, personal hygiene supplies, and more to the underserved and unhoused members of our community. Take care of each other ❤️.

White Bird Clinic Receives $675,000 as Part of CARES Act

More Funding Critical as Health Centers Face Financial Uncertainty Due to Pandemic

It was announced Tuesday that 30 Oregon Community Health Centers (CHCs) will receive more than $23 million in federal funds to help health centers detect, prevent, diagnose, and treat those dealing with COVID-19, as well as maintain or increase health capacity and staffing levels to address this public health emergency. Awards in Oregon range from about $522,000 to a little over $1.7 million per health center.

Health center funding is being made available immediately, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $1.3 billion to 1,387 health centers across the nation as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.

“Oregon’s CHCs are thankful for this supplemental funding during these unprecedented times,” said Joan Watson-Patko, OPCA’s Executive Director. “However, the fact remains that additional immediate emergency funding is essential in order to keep health centers open. Oregon’s health centers have stepped up to meet the needs of the communities they serve to care for patients in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and in doing so, face huge financial losses that could impact their ability to provide care. Recent analysis estimates the financial impact of COVID-19 to health centers in Oregon is over $57 million.”

White Bird Clinic, for example, has stood up additional services and programs at significant cost and strain to existing operations. “Additional emergency dollars have made it possible for health centers to innovate and respond to their communities,” said Chris Hecht, executive coordinator at White Bird Clinic in Eugene. “However, the investments made today do not support the long-term viability of community health centers. Our programs have reduced hours and services and we’re furloughing staff to support our response to the current crisis. When it’s over, many health centers may not have the resources to reopen closed programs.”

White Bird Clinic provides primary care and dental services, a drug and alcohol treatment program, crisis intervention, and homeless case management with priority to those who are unserved, underinsured, disabled and/or homeless. “Community health centers are uniquely positioned in the health care system to immediately respond to emerging community needs in a way that isn’t possible for our government or larger health system partners,” said Hecht.

Federal Community Health Center funding is set to expire on Nov. 30 without action by Congress. “Ensuring long-term stable funding for community Health Centers is critical so Oregon CHCs can continue to provide care now during this pandemic and in the future,” said Watson-Patko. “As part of the largest primary care network in the United States, our health centers remain committed to keeping their doors open and to providing care to people who may otherwise not have access to services and those hardest hit during economic downturns.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Supplemental Funding

$23,256,870 to support 30 health centers

HEALTH CENTER GRANTEE CITY STATE FUNDING AMOUNT
ADAPT ROSEBURG OR $567,350
ASHER COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER FOSSIL OR $522,530
BANDON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER BANDON OR $551,075
BENTON COUNTY CORVALLIS OR $711,800
CENTRAL CITY CONCERN PORTLAND OR $663,530
CLACKAMAS, COUNTY OF OREGON CITY OR $859,565
COLUMBIA RIVER COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES BOARDMAN OR $600,230
COUNTY OF LANE EUGENE OR $1,102,715
KLAMATH HEALTH PARTNERS INC KLAMATH FALLS OR $704,840
LA CLINICA DEL VALLE FAMILY HEALTH CARE CENTER INC MEDFORD OR $1,166,525
LAPINE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER LA PINE OR $637,175
LINCOLN, COUNTY OF NEWPORT OR $608,360
MOSAICMEDICAL PRINEVILLE OR $930,515
MULTNOMAH, COUNTY OF PORTLAND OR $1,763,780
NATIVE AMERICAN REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION INC PORTLAND OR $581,345
NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER PORTLAND OR $872,150
NORTHWEST HUMAN SERVICES, INC. SALEM OR $733,175
ONE COMMUNITY HEALTH HOOD RIVER OR $750,950
OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY PORTLAND OR $777,770
OUTSIDE IN PORTLAND OR $640,580
RINEHART MEDICAL CLINIC WHEELER OR $522,680
ROGUE COMMUNITY HEALTH MEDFORD OR $747,845
SISKIYOU COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC. GRANTS PASS OR $830,930
TILLAMOOK COUNTY TILLAMOOK OR $597,005
UMPQUA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC ROSEBURG OR $740,945
VIRGINIA GARCIA MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER ALOHA OR $1,578,245
WALLACE MEDICAL CONCERN, THE PORTLAND OR $653,195
WATERFALL CLINIC, INCORPORATED NORTH BEND OR $576,590
WHITE BIRD CLINIC EUGENE OR $675,860
WINDING WATERS MEDICAL CLINIC ENTERPRISE OR $587,615

About CHCs:

Oregon’s community health centers deliver integrated medical, dental and behavioral health services to many of the state’s most vulnerable communities through over 200 locations statewide. Over 430,000 Oregonians receive their care at a community health center, including one in four people on the Oregon Health Plan. Over 73% of patients live below the poverty line, and 94% live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Over 75% of community health centers have clinic sites serving rural communities, 30% of Oregon’s community health centers are federally recognized as Health Care for the Homeless locations, and 33% are designated as Migrant Health Centers.

Lifeline Mobile Phone Program Offering Unlimited Calling During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Lifeline program provides monthly discounts on phone and broadband service to qualifying low-income consumers (one per household). You qualify for Lifeline Based on Your Income and If You Use SNAP, Medicaid, or Other Programs.

Many fixed (landline) Lifeline carriers already offer unlimited local and toll-free calling to their subscribers, and mobile wireless Lifeline carriers that are temporarily offering unlimited calling to subscribers during the COVID-19 pandemic include the following:

For in-person assistance, stop by 323 E 12th Ave Monday through Thursday 9:30am to 1:00pm to get help completing your application from a real person or contact a carrier listed below.

Eugene/Springfield Lifeline Carriers

Mental Health Resources During COVID-19

Looking for our COVID-19 community resource page? We moved it over here.

As leaders on the frontlines of mental illness and substance abuse disorder treatment, we know how difficult it can be to cope with the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 amidst the loss of familiar resources. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. The White Bird Crisis line will continue to be accessible 24/7 by phone at (541) 687-4000. For an in-person response, CAHOOTS continues to operate 24/7 at this time, if you are in Eugene please call (541) 682-5111, for those in Springfield please call (541) 726-3714.

Telehealth

Telehealth appointments are available for both new and returning Counseling and Chrysalis clients. Intake forms for new clients are now available online.

Online Support Groups

AA   NA   GA

7 Cups: www.7cups.com Free online text chat with a trained listener for emotional support and counseling. Also offers fee for-service online therapy with a licensed mental health professional. Service/website also offered in Spanish.

Emotions Anonymous: www.emotionsanonymous.org An international fellowship of people who desire to have a better sense of emotional well-being. EA members have in person and online weekly meetings available in more than 30 countries with 600 active groups worldwide. The EA is nonprofessional resource and cannot be a replacement to therapy.

Support Group Central: www.supportgroupscentral.com Offers virtual support groups on numerous mental health conditions – free or low-cost. Website also offered in Spanish.

The Tribe Wellness Community: www.support.therapytribe.com Free, online peer support groups which is tailored to members who are facing mental health challenges and/or difficult family dynamics. Support groups include Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, HIV/AIDS, LGBT, Marriage/Family, OCD and Teens.

For Like Minds: www.forlikeminds.com Online mental health support network that allows for individuals to connect with others who are living with or supporting someone with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and stressful life events.

Guidebooks & Tip Sheets

The NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide may be helpful if you have questions or concerns.

SAMHSA’s Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation tip sheet describes feelings and thoughts you may have during and after social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. It also suggests ways to care for your behavioral health during these experiences and provides resources for more help.

Text/Chat

News about the coronavirus can increase feelings of anxiety. If you’re struggling, text Mental Heath First Aid to 741-741 to talk to a CrisisTextLine counselor.

New Billboard Promotes White Bird Dental Clinic

We have a new billboard to promote White Bird Dental Clinic​ up by the Crisis Services Center at 990 W. 7th Avenue. The campaign is part of our effort to spread the word that the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members have dental coverage that covers annual cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and other services that keep teeth healthy. Help spread the word!

Key messages

  • English: Oregon Health Plan members have dental coverage.
    Spanish: Los miembros del Plan de Salud de Oregon cuentan con cobertura dental.
  • English: The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) covers annual cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and other services that keep your teeth healthy.
    Spanish: El Plan de Salud de Oregon cubre limpiezas anuales, radiografías, y otros servicios de rutina que mantienen a tus dientes saludables.

Needle Exchange & Naloxone Finder

Needle Exchange

HIV Alliance has five locations and runs needle exchange sites 6 times a week in Lane County, including a new site at White Bird Medical on Wednesdays. The Needle Exchange program aims to protect public safety and community health by reducing the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C due to people sharing syringes. The program works to keep sterile syringes accessible so that those who inject drugs or hormones do not feel a need to share their syringes and risk becoming infected with HIV, HCV, or another blood-borne disease.

Eugene Office
1195 City View St., Eugene, OR 97402
Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm
Fridays from 1pm-5pm

ShelterCare
499 W. 4th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401
Mondays from 6-7:30pm

White Bird Medical Clinic
1400 Mill St, Eugene, OR 97401
Wednesdays from 6-7:30pm

Highway 99
456 Hwy. 99 (Lindholm Center Parking Lot), Eugene, OR 97402
Thursdays from 9:45am-12pm

Springfield
South 18th and A, Springfield, OR 97477
Thursdays from 6-7:30pm

HIV Alliance continues to do testing for HCV, HIV and other STIs four days a week at their office: Mondays from 3-7pm

  • Tuesdays from 5-7pm
  • Wednesdays NO TESTING
  • Thursdays from 5pm-8pm
  • Fridays from 1pm-5pm

Testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis: Call for times: 541-342-5088

Naxolone Finder

The Naloxone Finder is intended for people who use drugs to access naloxone in their community.

While many of the programs listed offer additional harm reduction supplies (e.g. syringes, safer smoking kits, drop-in centers), the Harm Reduction Coalition has vetted the programs for community-based naloxone that is free and intended for people who use drugs. They will update this map on a bi-monthly basis and have included space for programs to update their information regarding specific requirements or changes due to COVID-19.

Safe Respirator Use

Notes:

  • Cloth (wet or dry), paper masks and tissues will NOT filter out wildfire smoke.
  • Respirators are not designed to fit children.
  • Facial hair prevents proper fit and reduces effectiveness.
  • Use a respirator only after first trying more effective methods to avoid smoke.
  • That includes staying indoors and reducing activity.

Download PDF

Smoke and COVID-19 Fact Sheet

The Invisible Class

On Thursday, Feb. 6th at 6:30pm at the Broadway Metro Theater, Encircle Films will present “The Invisible Class,” a film that explores what it means to be homeless in America, challenging stereotypes and examining the systematic causes of mass homelessness in the wealthiest nation in the world. A panel discussion with Benjamin Brubaker, clinical co-coordinator at White Bird Clinic, will follow and White Bird staff will be available with copies of the new resource guide, “The Little Help Book,” a navigation book for people experiencing homelessness in Eugene.

Broadway Metro Theater
888 Willamette St.
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 686-2458

$9 ADULTS
$8 STUDENTS (WITH ID)
$6 SENIORS (62+)

SOLD OUT

Dental Office

White Bird Dental Clinic Grand Opening Celebration!

EUGENE, OREGON – The grand opening of White Bird’s expanded dental clinic will be January 23rd from 4pm to 6pm. The community is invited to tour the new facility at 1415 Pearl St. and celebrate with us.

Please join us to celebrate the opening of our state-of-the-art clinic. Take a tour, have a bite to eat, and meet our team.

Too many unhoused and low-income community members need dental care that they cannot access. White Bird Dental has responded by building a larger clinic that increases capacity by over seventy percent and accommodates twelve dental chairs. The new facility will make it easier for community members suffering from dental pain to get immediate, walk-in access to a dentist, and also allow White Bird to serve more elderly patients, children, and families.

White Bird has invested $2.5M to develop a state-of-the-art facility that provides acute and preventative oral health care to our community’s most vulnerable residents. The clinic’s design features the latest innovations in modern dentistry in a bright, airy space. The facility lets patients know that they are valued members of the community who deserve excellence in health care.

Support Us

White Bird Street Med

Help Us Kickstart the Street Med Program at White Bird

program on hold due to coronavirus social distancing requirements

Too many unhoused and low-income community members need medical care that they cannot access. In response, White Bird has developed a Street Medicine service, which will provide mobile health care in partnership with community nonprofits and government agencies. The service will reach vulnerable populations and deliver services directly to communities of need.

White Bird’s innovative service will help patients sustainably manage chronic diseases, promote preventative health, respond dynamically to evolving needs, and improve outcomes among communities disenfranchised from traditional healthcare.

The mobile clinic’s team will include a medical provider plus two clinic staff. Housed in a twenty-two-foot trailer, the clinic will provide a fully equipped exam room, capable of supporting acute and preventative care, on-site treatments, and office procedures.

As a link between clinical and community settings, the service will eliminate barriers to access for medically disenfranchised community members, who are disproportionately affected by many illnesses due to disparities in social determinants of health. These disparities represent a key area to target in order to better our community’s overall health and decrease healthcare spending. Mobile medical services have been shown to produce significant cost savings and represent a cost-effective care delivery model that improves health outcomes in underserved groups.

The Street Medicine program will also help patients navigate the larger healthcare system and connect them with medical and social resources in the community. Contact us for more information or click here to help us fundraise for this effort.

We are looking for a cargo van with a tow package to help us get this program off the ground! If you or someone you know has one they would like to put to immediate good use, please contact us at info@whitebirdclinic.org. Gifts to White Bird Clinic, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Please click here to support this program

The Dental Clinic Has Moved!

In response to the burgeoning community need, White Bird Dental Clinic has moved to an expanded facility at 1415 Pearl Street. The newly renovated building will allow us to serve nearly 75% more patients!

Poor oral health presents significant challenges for many unhoused community members. According to Trillium Community Health Plan, many of their patients don’t ever see a dentist. The last two Lane County Community Health Improvement Plans identified access to affordable dental care as a major priority. The dental clinic was founded in 1995 and has grown continuously since then. The twenty-three-year-old facility was the limiting factor in White Bird’s ability to meet the increased community need for oral health care.

White Bird Clinic has a history of identifying, assessing, and responding to community need by leveraging existing resources. The dental expansion project is a central component of White Bird’s mission of service to low income, under-served community members. After moving, the current clinic facility will be renovated to add a walk-in clinic to White Bird Medical. The new service will provide an alternative to hospital emergency room visits for low-income patients suffering an acute issue, offering compassionate and expert care and substantial cost savings for the community.

Download Updated Clinic Brochure

Cold Weather is Here

White Bird’s Stay Warm Drive Activates

download press release

EUGENE, OREGON – With the onset of cold weather, our most vulnerable community members who are living outdoors face freezing winter conditions. White Bird Clinic is sending out a call for any and all winter gear, particularly socks, warm gloves, blankets and sleeping bags.

For those who spend most of their time outdoors, winter in Eugene can be dangerous, as wet, cold weather makes it hard to stay healthy. Your donation of winter gear makes a difference for people who don’t have a warm and dry place to live. White Bird asks you to partner with us to support under-resourced community members and strengthen our shared culture of caring for one another.

Please bring donations to our main clinic building at 341 E 12th Ave. in Eugene:

  • Blankets
  • Sleeping bags
  • Coats/Jackets/Sweaters
  • Warm pants
  • Socks/Gloves/Scarves
  • Rain gear
  • Tarps

We’re happy to pick up larger donations. Please call 541-342-8255.

White Bird’s Front Room program offers a warm and dry space. We are open 7 days a week 9am-12:45pm – 1:30pm-5pm, and Weds close at 3:30pm.

and located at 341 E 12th St. in Eugene, we welcome the community to come get supplies to shield from the cold.


In 1969, a group of student activists and concerned practitioners came together to provide crisis services and free medical care for counter-culture youth in Eugene, OR. Having grown continuously since then, today White Bird Clinic has 10 programs, 220 staff members, and more than 400 volunteers each year.

To celebrate fifty years of service, White Bird is growing, demonstrating our commitment to serving low income, under-resourced community members. We’re expanding many different programs at once, so we’re turning to the community for support and partnership. Please call 541.342.8255 or visit www.whitebirdclinic.org to donate to the project of your choice.

CAHOOTS Mobile Mental Health Intervention Program In The News

White Bird’s CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) program continues to make headlines. CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell correspondent Omar Villafranca went on a ride-along with CAHOOTS to see them at work and learn why the program is being considered by cities across the country.

NBC News featured the team’s approach in their feature “Taking police officers out of mental health-related 911 rescues.”

Denver police officials said they are considering the model as an option to push beyond their existing co-responder program. New York City is looking to the program as “a model for non-police response to non-criminal emergencies.”

Salem nonprofits are looking at the model for mobile crisis response. “CAHOOTS gets 2 percent of the police budget, but with that 2 percent they handle 17 percent of public safety calls,” said Ashley Hamilton, who’s helping spearhead the idea.

Rogue Valley law enforcement, mental health professionals and advocates, elected officials and other concerned community members gathered at the Medford Police Department to hear Tim Black talk via Skype about the program in September. In November, city commissioners are expected to discuss how the program would work in Portland.

The power of White Bird’s CAHOOTS program lies in its community relationships and the ability of first responders to simply ask, ‘How can I support you today?’ White Bird Clinic is proud to be a part of spreading this type of response across Oregon and the rest of the United States.

Read our recent mentions in the news…

playing music

A Night for Sight Benefit Concert

Via a new arrangement with the Give Me Sight Foundation, Dr. John Haines with Oregon iLasik and Refractive will begin providing roughly three free cataract removal surgeries per week for White Bird Clinic patients. To generate funds to support their work, they are hosting a “Night For Sight” benefit concert event on November 22nd at The Shedd. The featured musical act will be The Good Time Travelers.

5:30pm Dinner – Enjoy the Newly renovated Main floor area of The Shedd

Social Hour with Open bar
Causal Buffet Style Dinner
Silent Auction and Quilts sponsored by Oregon Pacific Bank

7:30pm (Doors open at 7:00pm) -8:30pm Music with Friends

Video clips of Mission Work
Introductions and Recognition
John Haines, Music with Friends

8:30pm- 8:50pm Intermission and Silent Auction Closing

8:50pm – 9:50pm The Good Time Travelers

The Good Time Travelers are a multi-instrumental acoustic duo with vocal harmonies and a stage presence so big that they have been described as a “2-piece power-trio”. Pete Kartsounes and Michael Kirkpatrick have a sound that is rooted in bluegrass and folk music, but the sentiment is pure rock and roll. They’ve performed around the country at festivals such as Big Sky Big Grass (MT), Northwest String Summit (OR), Folk Alliance (MO), Winter Wondergrass (CA/CO), River City Roots Festival (MT), Beartrap Festival (WY), Mystic Hot Springs Music Festival (UT), and Salmonfest (AK). The Good Time Travelers have opened for Bluegrass greats such as Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, and Del McCoury & David Grisman.

9:50pm- 10:00pm Check out and an evening ends

Buy Tickets