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In an effort to connect service providers with each other and create supportive networking opportunities, staff from Samaritan Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) in Lebanon, Oregon hosted a ‘Mid-Willamette Behavioral Health Meet & Greet’ on April 3, 2026. The event gave nonprofits, not-for-profits, emergency service providers and community partners involved in behavioral health treatment a chance to network and learn about each other’s services.
Why it matters
Strengthening connections between behavioral health providers in the Mid-Willamette Valley region can help streamline care and ensure residents have access to the full range of addiction recovery, mental health, and community support services available. The event reflects a growing emphasis on collaboration and coordination among local organizations working to address the complex challenges of behavioral health.
The details
The meet-and-greet allowed multiple agencies to share information about the different levels of care and services they provide, from residential addiction treatment to outpatient therapy and community support programs. Peer support staff from STARS organized the event to help build awareness of available resources and identify potential partnership opportunities among the participating organizations.
The ‘Mid-Willamette Behavioral Health Meet & Greet’ was held on Friday, April 3, 2026.STARS opened its first location in Lebanon in 2020 and expanded to Newport in 2025.
The players
Samaritan Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS)
A provider of addiction recovery services in the Mid-Willamette Valley, offering residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs.
Zoe Costa
Peer support specialist at STARS who helped organize the networking event.
Shea Darnell
Peer support specialist at STARS who emphasized the importance of collaboration among behavioral health providers.
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What they’re saying
“The purpose of the event is networking for these different organizations within our county to be able to connect, and then also to inform.”
— Zoe Costa, Peer support specialist, STARS
“The more people we can get collaborating and on the same page, aware of what’s happening in other organizations, where the funding’s coming from, who can help in the best way, the more streamlined our care is for people.”
— Shea Darnell, Peer support specialist, STARS
What’s next
STARS plans to host similar networking events in the future to continue building connections between behavioral health providers in the region.
The takeaway
By facilitating collaboration and information-sharing among local organizations, the ‘Mid-Willamette Behavioral Health Meet & Greet’ demonstrates a proactive approach to strengthening the continuum of care for individuals seeking addiction recovery and mental health support in the Mid-Willamette Valley.