November 6, 2016

The Honorable Kate Brown, Governor

State of Oregon
900 Court Street NE, 160
Salem, OR 97301

Ms. Lynne Saxton, Director

Oregon Health Authority
500 Summer St. NE
Salem, OR 97301

Dear Governor Brown and Ms. Saxton,

The Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board (OSHAB) exists because the Legislature
passed SB 25 and Governor Kulongoski signed the bill into law in 2009. SB 25 is now
codified as ORS 179.560, 179.570 and 179.580. Advisory board members take their
role of oversight seriously and volunteer dozens of hours each year to insure we fulfil
our duties according to the statute.
As the OSHAB Interim Chair, I am writing to express extreme concern about the hiring
process for the new superintendent for the Oregon State Hospital. Superintendent Greg
Roberts notified the board and the Oregon Health Authority in October 2015 he would
retire in December of 2016 - fourteen months advance notice.
In anticipation of the transition, OSHAB invited Ms. Saxton to attend multiple board
meetings since her appointment as Director. Unfortunately, Ms. Saxton has been
unable to attend any OSHAB meetings.
OSHAB sent a letter to Ms. Saxton dated May 20, 2016, expressing concern about the
hiring process and OSHABs interest in participating in the hiring process. Members of
the OSHAB were assured by Ms. Saxton and Mr. Vandehey, Health Policy Advisor for
Governor Brown, that we would be involved in the process. Given the statutory role of
OSHAB in providing essential community oversight and input into the Oregon State
Hospital, we believe our involvement in the selection process for a new superintendent
is critical.
Despite assurances that OSHAB members would be included in the hiring process, it
was only through a phone conversation with Superintendent Roberts in mid-October
that I learned interviews for the Superintendent position would take place on November
9-10. While OSHAB had planned a retreat for Nov. 10th, we canceled the meeting so
advisory board members would be available to participate on the candidate interview
panels. However, I had received no invitation to participate and no information regarding
the candidates Concerned, I called Mr. Vandeheys office on Nov. 2nd to inform him that
I had not received an invitation to participate in the interview process. I was told to
expect a call from Mr. Vandehey later that day. Not hearing from him, I called Mr.
Vandeheys office again on Nov. 3rd, 2016. At that point, Mr. Vandeheys assistant
informed me the interviews had been canceled and that I would receive an invitation to
the interviews when they are rescheduled. .

Beckie Child
Letter to Governor Brown and Ms. Saxton
Involvement of OSHAB in superintendent hiring process
November 6, 2016
Page 2
I received an email on November 4, 2016 from BethAnne Darby apologizing for the lack
of an invitation. While I appreciate the apology, I remain deeply concerned that the
hiring process appears to be ill-coordinated, not inclusive of the OSHAB members, and
lacking the attention and leadership of senior officials. Filling this position with a highly
qualified and experienced individual with a commitment to recovery is essential to
maintaining the significant gains that have been made at Oregon State Hospital under
the leadership of Superintendent Roberts.
On behalf of OSHAB, I respectfully request that senior leadership make the OSH
Superintendent hiring process a top priority. I further ask that, consistent with its
statutory mandate to provide invaluable oversight and insights into the Oregon State
Hospital, all members of the OSHAB be invited to interview the candidates. Finally, I
would ask that a communications liaison be appointed to ensure that OSHAB,
leadership and key stakeholders receive timely and proactive communications about the
hiring process. The role of Superintendent of OSH plays an essential role in shaping our
state psychiatric hospital. The hiring process necessarily will impact the lives of
hundreds of people with mental health conditions who reside in our states institution.
The State of Oregon should treat the hiring process with a level of rigor and high
expectations befitting the high stakes involved.
Sincerely,

Beckie Child, MSW, ABD, PhDc

Interim Board Chair
Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board
Cc: Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board Members
Senate President Peter Courtney
Representative Mitch Greenlick
Speaker Tina Kotek
Chris Bouneff, NAMI Oregon
Bob Joondeph, Disability Rights Oregon
Donita Diamata, Mental Health Association of Oregon
Kevin Fitts, Oregon Mental Health Consumers Association