Physician-Lawmaker Maxine Dexter Celebrates $125 Million Investment in University of Oregon to Expand Children’s Mental Health Workforce

PORTLAND, OR. - Today, U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), celebrated a $125 million private investment to expand the University of Oregon's Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health, the nation's first undergraduate program focused on child behavioral health. After graduating its first cohort of 17 students in June 2026, the institute will use the gift to expand its innovative program to three additional universities and train more behavioral health professionals to serve young people nationwide.

The $125 million grant from Ballmer Group, a private philanthropic organization co-founded by Connie and Steve Ballmer, will build on the Ballmer Institute's work in Oregon's 3rd Congressional District. The initiative aims to launch 18 programs nationwide over the next 10 years, training the next generation of behavioral health professionals and expanding access to early, evidence-based mental health support for children.

"Too many children are facing mental health challenges without the support they need, and as a mother, I understand how deeply that impacts families," Rep. Dexter said. "I was proud to support the University of Oregon's mission when I served in the state legislature, and now I'm proud to continue that support in Congress as they work to bolster our behavioral health workforce and expand critical support for children across the country."

The institute's model is designed to create a new pipeline of behavioral health professionals trained in prevention and early intervention, while connecting more children with support before they reach a crisis point.

"The University of Oregon is leading an innovative approach to growing the youth behavioral health workforce through the nation's first undergraduate program in child behavioral health. The launch of the Catalyst Center will support expansion of that model to other states, accelerating the growth of a workforce to ensure that all children have access to the support they need to thrive," said Katie McLaughlin, executive director of the Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health and the Catalyst Center. "We are grateful to Ballmer Group for this investment and to Congresswoman Dexter and Oregon's congressional delegation for their leadership and support of the Ballmer Institute's work in Congress."

The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health is based at the University of Oregon's Portland campus and is developing a national model for expanding the youth behavioral health workforce.

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