Dear Friends,  Our community has a crying need for advances in research and treatment of children’s behavioral and mental health.  Our children have experienced unrelenting disruption to their education and home-life routines over the past several school years. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has been extraordinarily challenging for all of us, our children and their families, caregivers, and teachers warrant particular attention.  That is why I am thrilled that the University of Oregon announced plans to repurpose the former Concordia University campus into the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health, a remarkable effort to advance research, training, and clinical breakthroughs in children’s behavioral health. This effort will help train a new generation of behavioral health providers equipped with the skills to help alleviate this crucial burden in our community.  This critical development is also a much needed vote of confidence for Portland and our state at this challenging time. Repurposing the Concordia University campus and energizing the innovative program at Faubion school is a perfect fit.I am also incredibly encouraged to see the University of Oregon in conversation with other educational institutions in our region, including Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), Portland State University (PSU), Portland Community College (PCC), and Mt. Hood Community College. The collaboration of these institutions will magnify the impact of this much-needed development in our community.  I am greatly looking forward to supporting this project as it develops. My mind has been racing thinking of the new possibilities to support our children and community.