Provider Conference
Spring 2026 Provider Conference
Conference Tracks
Organizing Conference Sessions
This Spring’s Provider Conference still intends to oorganize sessions into tracks. Recently, conferences have organized sessions into these four tracks:
- Frontline Strategies and Best Practices
- The Power of Lived Experience
- Leadership in Challenging Times
- Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Attendees can join any session they wish to attend.
Conference Sessions
Session Schedule and Descriptions
Session Schedule and Description
Session Title: Cross Sector Case Conferencing
Presenter(s): Jenny Greenberg (they/she) – Homeless Services Department, Adam Peterson (he/him) – HealthShare, Yoni Kahn – Northwest Pilot Project
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: Multnomah County’s Cross Sector Case Conferencing is a case management tool for Homeless Service Providers to receive support with identifying resources for participants with unmet health care needs. This table facilitates the ability for service providers to case conference with healthcare and social service systems at one table in an effort to enable real time health navigation and care coordination.
This resource is available to the homeless services continuum within Multnomah County including Youth, Family and Adult systems, Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, Shelter, Outreach, CoC Programs, RLRA etc.
During this session, we will present general information about Cross Sector Case Conferencing, review evaluation and outcomes over the past year of operation, discuss updates on the project including creating a new formalized space to convene providers and stakeholders to provide feedback, and take questions from the audience.
Conference Track(s): Frontline Strategies and Best Practices, Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Beyond the Numbers: The Essentials of Fiscal Contract Compliance
Presenter(s): Cora Bell (she/her) & Luke Donaldson – Multnomah County
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: Join the County Fiscal Compliance Team for a look at what we do and how we can support your program’s success. We will share best practices for building a program budget, what we look for when reviewing submitted invoices, and explain how a cost allocation plan is different than an indirect rate. Our goal is to demystify what happens during a monitoring review so you know exactly what we look for and how to keep your records ready. You’ll walk away with a clear roadmap for managing your funds and the confidence to handle any fiscal requirement.
Conference Track(s): Frontline Strategies and Best Practices, Leadership in Challenging Times
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Behavioral Health Support & Care Navigation: Practical Tools for Frontline Providers
Presenter(s): Lisa Rose Gagnon (she/her) – Homeless Services Department; Jackie T – Cascadia Healthcare; Ryan H – The Peer Company; Brett S. & Laurel W – Multnomah County
Presentation Format: Panel Discussion
Abstract: This panel will support frontline providers and their supervisors by providing a better understanding of the behavioral health continuum of care across Multnomah County and effective engagement strategies. Instead of focusing on a single program, the session will showcase how different resources fit together, and share best practices and expertise from behavioral health professionals on engagement strategies for individuals with mental health and substance use conditions.
The goal is to help providers understand who does what, when to reach out, what kinds of support may be available and how best to engage with clients with these conditions. Attendees can expect a practical, provider-centered discussion focused on engagement and care navigation. This session responds directly to provider survey feedback asking for clearer pathways to mental health, aging, and disability services.
Conference Track(s): Frontline Strategies and Best Practices, Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Presentation Slides: There were no slides with this session
Recording: link
Notes: link
Additional Resources:
- Residential Care Choice One-Pager
- The Peer Company Peer Company Referral Form
- Cascadia Crisis Services Adult Mental Health Treatment Substance Use Treatment
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Eviction Defense
Presenter(s): Stephanie Back (she/her) & Adrienne Del Monte Hoxha (she/her) – Metropolitan Public Defender
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: We will give an overview of the services Metropolitan Public Defender’s Community Law division can provide, and go into specifics about eviction defense.
Conference Track(s): Frontline Strategies and Best Practices
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Results from the Pathways Study
Presenter(s): Kathleen Conte (she/her) – Portland State University, Lisa Larson (she/her), CB Bone (they/them) and other members of the TREES committee
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: We will report the findings from the quantitative survey. TREES committee members will attend to speak to key findings and learnings. Participants should expect to learn what is working across the HSD service system, and where unmet needs remain.
Conference Track(s): Leadership in Challenging Times, Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: This session was not recorded
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Homeless Response System Key Performance Indicators
Presenter(s): Robyn Johnson (she/her/Robyn), Maggie Williams (she/her), Jillian Schoene (she/they) & TJ Noddings – Homeless Response System
Presentation Format: Panel Discussion
Abstract: Staff from the Homeless Response System will provide an overview of the Homeless Response Action Plan (HRAP) system-wide key performance indicators. Looking at those KPIs, HRS staff will will review how the system is currently doing, as well as address the direction of the system performance under pending budget impacts
Conference Track(s): Leadership in Challenging Times, Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Building Resiliency in our Staff: Introduction to a debriefing model for addressing moral injury
Presenter(s): Drew Grabham (he/him) – Central City Concern
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: This interactive session will 1) Discuss the importance of addressing staff moral injury, 2). introduction to the STAR-T model, 3) begin/continue your organizations plan for supporting staff when they have deep impacts from their outreach work
Conference Track(s): Leadership in Challenging Times, Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Setting Providers Up For Success
Presenter(s): Tonya Jones – HSD Equity Advisory Committee, Yemaya Benton – Black Community of Portland, Raquel Barajas – Homeless Services Department
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: Members of the Homeless Service Department’s Equity Advisory Committee have worked on the challenges small Culturally Specific, new, and emerging providers face while navigating government contracts. Come learn about their findings and experiences navigating contracts within government.
Conference Track(s): Leadership in Challenging Times, Emerging Needs and Opportunities
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Building Organizations That Sustain Their People: A Three-Tiered Approach to Preventing Burnout in Homeless Services Work
Presenter(s): Katricia Stewart (she/her) – Community Wellbeing REC
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: Homeless services work is meaningful, demanding, and deeply human — and the people who do it deserve organizations that are built to sustain them. This session introduces a three-tiered framework (structural, relational, and personal) for understanding and preventing burnout, with a brief look at empathy fatigue as a specific pathway relevant to direct service work. Rather than focusing on what’s going wrong, we explore what it looks like when organizations get this right — and how to build toward that. Participants will spend parts of the session in facilitated small-group conversation, identifying strengths already present in their organizations and collaborating on concrete, realistic steps they can take at each tier to protect and support their workforce. Attendees can expect a grounded, research-informed framework, honest peer conversation, and a practical starting point to bring back to their teams.
Conference Track(s): Frontline Strategies and Best Practices
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Session Title: Best Practices in Rapid Rehousing Programs
Presenter(s): Claudia Sharygin (she/her) – Homeless Services Department, Hana Gossett & Mandy Gawf (she/her) – Focus Strategies
Presentation Format: Collaborative presentation with discussion
Abstract: Rapid Rehousing is a core element of HSD’s homelessness services strategy. The Multnomah County Chair’s proposed budget has prioritized this programming, proposing $10 million in new funding for housing placement out of shelter. This interactive session, led by staff from HSD and Focus Strategies, will provide an evidence-based overview of best practices in Rapid Rehousing programs. The goals of this session are to present research and evidence from communities across the country on proven strategies that improve housing outcomes, explore how these practices align with our current work in Multnomah County, and identify areas where additional guidance or support would be helpful. The session will include a café-style workshop where attendees will collaboratively brainstorm solutions to common challenges in Rapid Rehousing programs.
Conference Track(s): Frontline Strategies and Best Practices
Presentation Slides: link
Recording: link
Notes: link
Evaluation: link
Conference Tabling
Check our these Tabling Offerings!
Details Soon!
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