Experts

Dolores Jimerson

Dolores Jimerson

Program Director

Dolores Jimerson (Seneca, bear clan) is a distinguished leader in behavioral health with over 36 years of experience across diverse settings. As the Behavioral Health Education Director at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, she spearheads initiatives empowering federally recognized tribes to develop their own behavioral health workforce. Her career includes leadership roles as Director of Behavioral Health and CEO at federally qualified health centers, directing technical assistance provision at NICWA, teaching at the University of Wyoming, and 20+ years working directly with tribes. Dolores pioneered auricular acupuncture programs and serves on the faculty for Indian Country ECHO, demonstrating her commitment to culturally resonant, innovative, community-driven healthcare solutions. She is clinically licensed and provides clinical supervision consultation. She’s implemented integrated care programs in both Wyoming and Oregon as well as crisis response protocols. This breadth of experience contributes to her seat on the Portland Area CHAP Certification Board and the Northwest ATTC. Dolores has contributed to the Boarding School Healing Toolkit and has presented internationally on the importance of ceremony in healing from boarding school trauma. She was a Senior BH Leadership Fellow with the 7 Generations Center of Excellence completing a capstone focused on supporting leaders experiencing compassion fatigue.  Dolores was one of the community advisors who helped guide the creation of CHAP for the Portland Area.