Small population counties in Eastern and Coastal Oregon have lower salaries and benefits than those in the Willamette Valley. As part of the closure of Fairview, caregivers for the developmental disabilities population were given a raise. Mental health caregivers are not quite at parity with DD workers. The turnover rate of caregivers is in the range of 110-115 percent per year. Persons convicted of serious crimes will not be hired.
Every caregiver is fingerprinted.
Abuse and neglect in institutions by caregivers has been a greater problem than criminal history. County mental health departments receive help from the state to evaluate accusations of abuse, and every death is carefully investigated. Language continues to be a problem. Corrections and Law Enforcement Transportation of persons in mental crisis from a community setting to a state facility is usually provided by local law enforcement agencies - a time consuming responsibility. There are still many law enforcement personnel who do not understand mental illness.