|
When the job market was booming in the early 2000’s, I was part of an effort to facilitate relationships between big-name companies (e.g., Hilton, Bank of America, Kaiser Permanente, etc.) that had entry-level job positions with organizations that had readily available and trained job candidates. We met monthly and discussed ideas and shared possible solutions.
|
|
|
|
One day when I was asked for my opinion, I outlined how we could move forward quickly and the immediate steps we could take. From that point forward, we moved to full implementation and years later, we could boast that hundreds of people got a job because of our efforts.
I reflected on this work as we prepare to launch another round of stakeholder engagement to discuss the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). I cannot stress enough how seriously we listen to and consider your input. As the concept of the BHA continues to evolve so that it meets the needs of Coloradans, it is often because of the ideas and strategies that you share. Whether it is a comment in a meeting or note sent via the form on our Change Management page, all of it is rigorously considered. We’ve made it this far together, and we have to keep going. Please be sure to review the opportunities below and share your input as we continue to plan for the BHA.
Onward,
Summer Gathercole
Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation
|
|
|
What topic would you like to discuss in the upcoming open forum?
|
|
|
Report Out
Last month, we asked, What is the most pressing behavioral health issue in your community currently?
|
|
|
- 36% said barriers to behavioral health services
- 20% said high levels of anxiety and depression
- 8% said ongoing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic
- 8% said lack of culturally-responsive services
- 8% said funding
- 6% said substance use disorder services and overdoses
- 4% said dual mental health and substance use diagnoses
- 4% said suicide
- 4% said impacts on children and youth
- 2% said criminal justice services
|
|
|
Upcoming Open Forum and Stakeholder Sessions on BHA Framework
Thanks to the invaluable input from state agency staff, stakeholders and consumers over the year, the State of Colorado and Health Management Associates (HMA) are excited to share an update on the proposed direction of Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). The State and HMA will host a virtual community open forum next month to provide an overview of the proposed plan of how the BHA could work, who could make up the BHA, what the BHA could offer that is new, a timeline for implementation, and next steps.
|
|
|
We would love your help in promoting this open forum within your communities! Click here for resources to make it easy for you to share.
In addition to the community open forum, HMA met with providers and criminal justice stakeholders and will hold additional sessions with counties, advocacy groups, insurance carriers and individuals with lived experience over the next two weeks. For more information on those meetings, please email BHA-Questions@healthmanagement.com.
The State is committed to ensuring stakeholders are kept informed and involved in the implementation process. Please continue to visit the BHA webpage for up-to-date information about the project.
What's Next?
Your input will inform our final recommendation and report to the Colorado legislature, due November 1, 2021.
|
|
|
National Search for BHA Commissioner to Begin Shortly
A national search for the BHA commissioner will begin in the coming weeks. The Commissioner is expected to serve on Governor Polis’s Cabinet and will ensure that our behavioral health system advances toward comprehensive, equitable, accessible and affordable behavioral health services for all Coloradans. We are looking for a bold thinker and collaborative leader—someone who is skilled at bringing different groups together and committed to achieving positive outcomes for Coloradans. Watch for the position description coming soon, as we will need your help to disseminate it broadly!
|
|
|
Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force Holds Additional Hearings
The Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force met on September 17, 23 and 24 to learn about gaps in Colorado's behavioral health system, crisis services, criminal justices service and other behavioral health topics, including insurance and Medicaid coverage. Access the meeting documents and recordings. The Legislature created this Task Force to issue a report to the General Assembly and Governor Polis that outlines recommendations to transform behavioral health using $450 million from the federal Coronavirus state fiscal recovery fund.
|
|
|
Behavioral Health In the News
|
|
|
Events, Webinars, Opportunities and More
|
|
|
September is Recovery Month in Colorado
|
|
|
Recovery Cards Project Releases New Cards
The Recovery Cards Project, part of the Lift The Label anti-stigma campaign, provides free greeting cards that celebrate Coloradans taking steps to overcome addiction and the loved ones supporting them. The Project recently unveiled a new lineup of greeting cards written by and for people in recovery and their loved ones. Order cards and download digital versions here.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Suicide First-Aid Training
On Oct. 27-28, Partners for Children’s Mental Health will host Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, a two-day workshop in suicide first-aid in Aurora. Participants learn how to recognize signs of suicide risk, effectively intervene, and develop a safety plan to keep someone alive. Learn more and register on PCMH's website.
|
|
|
OBH has retooled its signature marketing and outreach campaign that encourages people to seek care for opioid use disorder. Lift The Label, which strives to remove the stigma of SUD and connect Coloradans to treatment, features a new group of campaign spokespeople from diverse backgrounds and updated website information on cost of treatment and how to support loved ones. Please share this Facebook post to help spread the word!
|
|
|
|
There are many ways to support this work:
|
|
|
Behavioral health reform is underway! Keep track with our project timeline:
|
|
|
|
|
