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A Longtime Oregon Drug Treatment Center Is Shuttering as Similar Programs for Moms Face Trouble
The closure follows funding pressures and staffing strains as Oregon loses about 20% of its residential treatment beds for pregnant and parenting people, officials said.
- At the end of October, the Letty Owings Center in Portland closes permanently, eliminating 29 residential treatment beds for pregnant and parenting women after 37 years of service.
- Central City Concern, the nonprofit operating the center, faced financial pressures including a projected $1 million deficit in 2027 and mounting Medicaid funding cuts affecting its 2025 revenues exceeding $200 million.
- Rising operational costs strained the facility as clients required supervision of a dozen or more medications daily, while Ashley Amorim, a former resident, said the center "saved my life."
- Oregon has lost around 20% of its residential treatment beds this year, and Dr. Andy Mendenhall, chief executive officer of Central City Concern, said no other provider has the capacity to absorb displaced clients, citing systemic strain.
- Fewer beds will lead to more families separated through foster care and increased health risks, according to Diana Louise Smith, clinical lead for Project Nurture, who warned: "We're probably going to see people die as a result of Letty closing.
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A longtime Oregon drug treatment center is shuttering as similar programs for moms face trouble – WTOP News
Room 219 at the Letty Owings Center in northeast Portland doesn’t look like much more than a cramped dorm room, but it’s where Ashley Amorim spent her first nig
·Chevy Chase, United States
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The Toronto Star+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
A longtime Oregon drug treatment center is shuttering as similar programs for moms face trouble
Room 219 at the Letty Owings Center in northeast Portland doesn’t look like much more than a cramped dorm room, but it’s where Ashley Amorim spent her first night with Jeremiah, the smiley, blue-eyed baby who she said gave her…
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left9Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 33%
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