Every young person in Oregon deserves the chance to thrive. When youth have the support they need, whether that’s mental healthcare, school services or help for disabilities, they are safer, more confident, and better able to reach their goals.
And when our youth succeed, our entire state becomes stronger, healthier, and more connected.
That belief is at the heart of the Oregon System of Care Advisory Council (SOCAC)’s 2026–2029 strategic plan. The plan focuses on making sure youth with complex behavioral health needs or intellectual developmental disabilities get the right services at the right time, close to home.
SOCAC’s goals for the next three years include:
- Ensure more youth can access care and services at home or in their own communities.
- Increase high school graduation rates for youth involved in the system.
- Reduce suicide attempts among young people.
- Lower youth substance use across the state.
“We are determined to ensure Oregon’s youth can thrive despite many challenges,” said SOCAC Executive Director Anna K. Williams. “To help make that happen, the System of Care Advisory Council is putting its new strategic plan into action statewide.”
To make this happen, SOCAC is focusing on practical changes. This includes making short-term respite more accessible to caregivers, improving school-based services for students with disabilities, and strengthening local systems of care across the state. The council is also working to improve access to higher-level treatment for youth with multiple diagnoses.
SOCAC was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2019 to bring together agencies, service providers, families, and youth to better support young people with complex needs. The new strategic plan was shaped with direct input from youth and families. The plan outlines small, but meaningful steps for the next three years, while focusing on four broad priorities:
- Improve access to coordinated, integrated and community-based care.
- Support youth and families by co-creating fair and equitable policies.
- Create sustainable systems that the community can trust.
- Transform the systems that serve children, youth and families.
How you can help strengthen Oregon’s future
Oregon’s youth are the future of our state. Community voices play an important role in helping SOCAC understand what’s working, what’s not, and where change is needed. Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, service provider, youth advocate or simply someone who cares about our youth, your involvement matters.
If you’re interested in supporting this work, sharing your experiences, or staying informed, send an email to statewide.soc@oha.oregon.gov to learn how you can get involved.
Together, we can make Oregon a place where every young person has the support they need to succeed.