Columbia Pacific Behavioral Health Director receives national award for rural impact
People in rural Columbia County, in northwestern Oregon, face many barriers to getting care for mental health and substance use disorder. Challenges include provider shortages, long travel distances, transportation limitations and financial hardship. That’s why it’s key for local organizations to work together to provide these services, together known as behavioral health care.
Columbia Pacific CCO’s Director of Behavioral Health, Rachel Paczkowski, has been recognized for her contribution to an initiative aimed at improving such crucial access. Led by Oregon State University Extension Service, the initiative focuses on closer collaboration among local organizations.
“In rural communities like the Columbia Pacific CCO region, our greatest challenges are too complex for any one organization to solve alone,” Paczkowski said. “When health care, behavioral health, social services, schools, housing and community partners come together with creativity and a shared purpose, we can turn limited resources into innovative solutions that remove barriers, expand access and improve lives.”
Paczkowski is among more than a dozen local leaders who participated in Community Conversations about Behavioral Health. This fall, the program earned third place in the Western Region for the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences’ Community Partnership Award.
Diverse perspectives drive change
Over two sessions in the summer of 2023, the program brought together Columbia County professionals from diverse sectors — ranging from public health to law enforcement — to identify strengths and challenges in local behavioral health systems, come up with solutions to pressing issues and create action plans.
Paczkowski was part of the Columbia County planning team. CareOregon Senior Medical Director Safina Koreishi and former Columbia Pacific Executive Director Mimi Haley also participated, with Columbia Pacific providing financial support.
Putting planning into action
Since Community Conversations met three years ago, community partners have worked to implement action plans. For instance, in Tillamook County, local agencies worked together to raise $3 million in grant funding for projects such as a new emergency shelter and additional peer-support programs.
In Columbia County, the cross-sector collaboration strengthened through Community Conversations has continued through a monthly meeting where partners from social services, health care, behavioral health and crisis services, justice services and education work together to identify barriers and share solutions.
As that collaboration continues, the county is also addressing gaps in its system of care, including additional housing and the planned re-opening of its only withdrawal management program in 2027.
"Collaboration isn't just how we do better work. It's how we create opportunities for every member to thrive, regardless of where they live."
- Rachel Paczkowski, Columbia Pacific Director of Behavioral Health
Learn more
Explore the Community Conversations program to learn how leaders in Columbia, Tillamook and other rural counties are working together on mental health and substance use challenges.
