2022 Community Needs Assessment of Klamath County Residential Services and Housing Needs

The PSU Regional Research Institute for Human Services (RRI) was asked by Klamath Basin Behavioral Health (KBBH) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to conduct a community-wide needs assessment focusing on residential services and housing needs for populations that:

  • Have behavioral health needs, and
  • Identify with a community experiencing inequities in access to health care resources.

The assessment was conducted in collaboration with KBBH and other community partners. Data sources included key informant interviews, written surveys of individuals impacted by mental health challenges and/or housing needs, and focus groups with representatives from underserved communities in Klamath County, Oregon. Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the Oregon Health Authority as part of a larger OHA effort to eliminate behavioral health inequities by 2030.

2022 Community Needs Assessment of Klamath County Residential Services and Housing Needs Final Report

Klamath County Community Needs Assessment Report Cover

Research Methods

  1. Literature Review: Existing documents and relevant academic was identified and reviewed.
  2. Key Informant Interviews: PSU RRI contacted more than 50 community stakeholders to
    understand existing health inequities and service gaps. Service providers were also asked for
    their ideas on how to best serve their community.
  3. Focus Groups: PSU RRI facilitated eleven focus groups with community members to understand
    service gaps.
  4. Community Survey (web and paper): KBBH and other partners distributed a brief written survey
    developed by PSU to the people they serve. Surveys were used to understand health inequities
    and service gaps.
  5. Analysis of secondary data: KBBH data specialists contributed aggregate consumer data to
    identify health inequities and service gaps for underserved populations.

Proposed Populations of Focus: People who identify as:

  • Experiencing homelessness
  • Living with a behavioral health
    condition
  • Living with a substance use disorder
  • Involved with law enforcement
  • Living in outlying or rural areas
  • A climate disaster refugee
  • An older adult
  • An adolescent
  • LGBTQIA2S+

 

  • Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific
    Islander
  • An immigrant
  • A veteran or member of the military
  • Living with a disability
  • A tribal member

A final report of findings from this needs assessment, including recommendations from community members, was submitted to OHA on June 30th, 2022.