The Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT) is a comprehensive substance use treatment center being developed by Washington County.

The CATT Connection

AUGUST 2022

A Message From Holst Architecture

Holst Architecture is honored to be selected as the architect of the new Washington County Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT). This project represents a significant investment in the future of treatment and recovery in our region, and we are proud to be a part of it. At Holst, we firmly believe that everyone deserves good design, and we strive to make a

social impact with every space we create. We are inspired by Washington County’s mission to develop a comprehensive substance use treatment center where adults struggling with problem substance use can get the support and services they need to live a healthier life, and we are dedicated to making this project a success.

Holst has devoted the last 30 years to bringing innovative design solutions that provide dignity, improved health outcomes, and better quality of life to members of our community. As Oregon’s largest women-owned architecture firm, we value a truly collaborative design process as well as the richness of perspectives that come from both within our organization and the broader

communities we serve. We value and respect the myriad voices that must be involved to make CATT an inspiring, welcoming and socially just place in our community.

Having recently completed the award-winning residential treatment center at Fora Health, we bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge as well as perspectives shared by their staff and residents. Using trauma-informed principles in the building’s design was essential to making Fora Health an environment of calm and respite. We are excited to apply what we have learned to the CATT project.

We are incredibly excited to work on this project with you, the residents of Washington County, to create a welcoming space for healing and recovery in our region.

CODA, Inc., was selected as our service provider for the intensive services portion of the CATT. Their leadership is being onboarded now. Stay tuned for an introduction from CODA in our next newsletter!

This is an image of a pie chart showing the funding sources for the CATT

CATT Capital Funding Close to Goal

Earlier this year, the CATT Leadership Team completed an in-depth financial analysis. The analysis concluded that we would need approximately $41.3 million to cover the capital costs of purchasing and renovating two buildings. We have been fortunate to receive two large grants, one from CareOregon and one from Measure 110 funding via the Oregon Health Authority. These two grants bring us within $2.6 million of having the capital costs fully funded.

There are many different funding sources contributing to this project. The pie chart above shows the main funds being used to build the CATT. We are grateful for the support we have received from Measure 110 and CareOregon and look forward to partnering with other organizations to fill the remaining gap.

This image is of a blue banner that says "What's New"

Project is Restructured for Next Phase

It’s an exciting time for the CATT project! With an intensive services provider and architect joining the project, we have moved from planning to more operational work. With this change in focus, we reevaluated our existing work group structure and timeline. The updated work group structure can be viewed on the CATT website.

In addition to bringing new representatives onto the leadership team, we are thrilled to be receiving valuable input from our local public safety partners through our Public Safety Work Group. We highlighted this work group in our June newsletter.

Soon we will launch the Service Delivery Advisory Committee. This committee will provide input on how to ensure the services we provide are culturally responsive, client centered and based in best practices. Recruitment for this work group will happen over the coming months.

Timeline Adjusted

Finally, we have come to realize that the design work and renovation of the two buildings will take longer than originally anticipated. While we had hoped that we could open in 2024, a more realistic timeline for a project with this large of a scope is early 2025. We will be sure to update the timeline as the project progresses.

CATT Champion Spotlight

Our work on the CATT is grounded in the knowledge that substance use touches all of us in different ways. As we’ve worked on the CATT project, many people have stepped forward and shared very personal stories with us about how they or their loved ones, have been impacted by substance use. These stories have inspired us and emphasized the need to improve access to substance use care and treatment. We will be sharing stories from community members we call “CATT Champions.” Every CATT Champion has volunteered to have their story published in their own words. We hope these stories help to highlight the reason we are working hard to bring a substance use triage and treatment center to our community.

This photograph is of Steven, our featured CATT Champion.

CATT Champion Steven

My substance use began recreationally when a friend introduced me to methamphetamines. Immediately, I felt better than I had ever felt before. I grew up enduring many instances of sexual abuse and felt lost, not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, only that I wanted to feel like I belonged somewhere.

I used meth for many years, mostly on weekends while holding a job and functioning normally. Then I began using meth daily, selling it to pay for my own supply. I eventually got caught in possession of a controlled substance and was sent to prison for 26 months.

While in prison I was diagnosed with ADHD and received medication that made me feel normal. The problem was that when I got out of prison, I would not have access to medications, so I always ended up returning to street meth, which led me back to prison − rinse and repeat. I stayed in this perpetual state of chaos for years until I was offered Washington County Drug Court in lieu of returning to prison. While in drug court I was treated for my ADHD and PTSD. I learned that I could live a normal life without the use of illicit substances.

I am so excited to be participating in the planning of the CATT. This is a much-needed resource for those who struggle with any substance use issues. When someone wants treatment, the window of opportunity is so small that they need to be able to walk in and receive those services the same day. If there had been a CATT back when I was released from prison in 2004, I would have been able to get treatment and spare myself many years of self-destruction and misery.

We need the CATT sooner rather than later; too many lives have been lost for no reason. I can think of at least three people I have known in the last 18 months who are no longer with us because they could not find treatment and lost their lives. I am grateful to Washington County for helping me get my life together and I am committed to helping others find a way to live a normal life. As a treatment housing services manager for people in recovery from substance use disorders, I know that I will utilize the CATT often, helping others find what I found.

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