This is a quote from a statewide summit that was held this past spring. We started a conversation among People With Lived Experience to help us design a care coordination system that works for people who want to use it. I emphasized started because we have to continue hosting these discussions if we want to reduce disparities—something that is top of mind given that we are celebrating BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month.

I would encourage you to read the report generated from that work. One of the outcomes of which I am most proud is that—through partnerships with foundations and community-based organizations—we were able to reach people who don’t usually participate in these conversations. They were not the community representatives who typically wear nine hats and attend every meeting in town. They were everyday people who hadn’t been invited to this kind of conversation in the past, and they were thrilled to be part of it. They understood that what they shared with us—and what they will continue to share with us—will help us design a system that works for all Coloradans.

Let’s keep up that spirit of inclusion as we continue the hard work to reform Colorado’s behavioral health system.

Onward, 
Summer Gathercole
Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation

From your perspective, how does equity show up in behavioral health reform?

Although the timeline for any announcement is not known at this time, we will provide as much information as we can, as soon as we can. The time invested in getting to the right solution ensures careful consideration of the robust state agency and stakeholder feedback collected. 

In addition to the BHA model decision-making process, the Behavioral Health Reform Executive Committee continues to work on many other elements of behavioral health reform, including the 19 priorities identified by the Behavioral Health Task Force that will ultimately connect to the BHA as part of the implementation process. 

Stay Engaged
HMA will reach out to state agency staff as appropriate to support implementation planning and will continue to share opportunities to engage and new information via the change management webpage. Please continue to share your thoughts, questions and ideas via the feedback form on the webpage, as well as check out the FAQs in English and Spanish that are updated weekly. 

Pagosa Daily Post: Colorado Celebrates BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

CBS 4: Colorado State Legislature Makes Historic Investment In Behavioral Health Care

Colorado Springs Gazette: Polis signs bills on mental and behavioral health and substance abuse

Arvada Press: Forward Together a state tool for parents, youths

Colorado Community Media: Mental health crisis lingers from pandemic

Colorado Newsline: Report: Veteran suicides far outstrip combat deaths in post-9/11 wars

5280: Alternatives to Calling the Denver Police Department

Take a Free E-Learning Program in CLAS Standards

The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) and partners offer a free and accredited OMH e-learning program, Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals. This program is part of OMH’s Think Cultural Health E-learning courses, which aims to assist health professionals in building and sustaining culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Register for Summer Health Cabinet Summit 

There are many ways to support this work:

• Keep an eye on our webpage for upcoming meetings.

• Encourage friends and colleagues to subscribe to this newsletter.

• Send an idea or suggestion to cdhs_bhtf@state.co.us.