In the News

Ron and Chris Sauer's lifetime of opening their home to kids in need has led to a leadership gift supporting the Ballmer Institute's new Child Behavioral Health Building on the UO Portland campus.

The two-story, 54,000-square-foot facility will consolidate the Ballmer Institute and Prevention Science Institute under one roof by spring 2029.

Oregon News reports that Oregon has created an official license for bachelor's-level behavioral health specialists—a direct result of the workforce pipeline built by the Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health. Graduates can now enter the field with a recognized credential, insurance reimbursement eligibility, and the skills to address Oregon's children's mental health shortage.

The Ballmer Institute's Executive Director has been recognized among 250 distinguished leaders in academia and beyond for her groundbreaking work in children's behavioral health.

Portland's KGW News covered Governor Kotek's signing of new Oregon behavioral health legislation at the Ballmer Institute, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health services to adolescents.

Industry publication Becker's Behavioral Health covered Governor Kotek's signing of five new Oregon behavioral health laws, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health services to adolescents.

Southern Oregon's NewsWatch 12 covered the signing of five new Oregon behavioral health laws, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health and addiction services to children and adolescents.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed five behavioral health bills at the Ballmer Institute, including Senate Bill 1547, which creates a new credential for Ballmer Institute graduates trained to provide mental health services to children and adolescents.

As reported by the Daily Emerald, the approved Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health and Prevention Science building marks a major milestone in the University of Oregon’s expansion and its investment in children’s behavioral health and prevention science.

According to The Register‑Guard, the University of Oregon’s planned expansion of the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health represents a major investment in education, training, and innovation, positioning Oregon as a national leader in addressing children’s mental and behavioral health needs.

Grants Pass Tribune highlights how legislation moving through the Oregon Senate would establish a new license to expand the behavioral health workforce, with the Ballmer Institute serving as a key training pipeline for future practitioners.

The Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health’s annual report shares milestones, research, partnerships, and progress toward building a stronger behavioral health workforce and improving outcomes for children and families.

In Newsweek, McLaughlin responds to new national survey findings highlighting overwhelming stress and social isolation among young adults.

In a Willamette Week analysis, Ballmer Institute Executive Director Katie McLaughlin discusses why mental illness rates in Oregon remain high despite significant state investment.

Assistant clinical professor Cody Gion and students discuss how the University of Oregon’s new child behavioral health undergraduate program is helping address Oregon’s children’s mental health workforce shortage.