Oregon Lawmakers Urge Multnomah County to Restore $240,000 for YouthLine as June 4 Vote Nears
Updated
Updated · Portland Mercury · May 12
Oregon Lawmakers Urge Multnomah County to Restore $240,000 for YouthLine as June 4 Vote Nears
1 articles · Updated · Portland Mercury · May 12
$240,000 in proposed Multnomah County cuts to YouthLine drew an April 28 letter from Oregon’s congressional delegation urging leaders to keep annual funding for the youth crisis, outreach and engagement program.
County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson’s office said the reduction follows 2025 Oregon Health Authority guidance that reordered spending priorities, pushing the county to protect services with fewer alternative funding sources.
YouthLine, run by Lines for Life, would not shut down if county money disappears, but leaders said it could scale back outreach, education and volunteer training for people up to age 24.
2023 county data cited in the debate showed 640 youths ages 5 to 24 were admitted to emergency departments for suicidal ideation, attempts or self-harm, and 21 in that age group died by suicide.
The funding fight lands in a tough budget cycle and carries political risk because YouthLine serves a population with acute mental-health disparities; the county is scheduled to adopt its final budget on June 4.
With county revenue doubling over a decade, why are vital youth crisis services now on the chopping block?
Does state health guidance mandate this cut, or does it mask a deeper flaw in the county's budget?