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January 14, 2021
Conversation Corner

"I love that you are so optimistic about the future of mental health here in Colorado…[There is] lots to do and I'm so glad that the momentum of the BHTF remains strong! Let's do this!"

This quote is from an email I received at the end of last month from a Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF) member. 

She and I had been discussing the ongoing behavioral health reform work and pointing out just how much work there is to be done. It can be daunting. However, we have momentum and political will and a desire from Coloradans across the State to ensure that people who need behavioral health services have timely access to them. 

Many of you have heard me say it before, and I will not stop saying it: Behavioral Health Reform is happening in Colorado! More than 100 people worked tirelessly for over a year to develop recommendations to transform our system. We presented the Blueprint for Behavioral Health Reform to Governor Polis in September 2020, and he immediately endorsed it. Implementation is well underway—and that is why I am so optimistic about the future of our behavioral health system in Colorado.

Onward, 
Summer Gathercole
Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation
Phase 1 Implementation Update

Announcing Our Partnership with HMA: We have engaged Health Management Associates (HMA) to support us on three key Phase 1 projects: Creating a Behavioral Health Administration, conducting a statutory review and identifying new funding sources. HMA is a leading independent research and consulting firm that recently partnered with the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health on their 2020 Needs Assessment. 
Create a Behavioral Health Administration (BHA): HMA will analyze the 75+ behavioral health programs currently housed in various state agencies to understand their overall activities; outcomes; funding sources and requirements tied to those funding sources; data and IT needs; budgets; and staffing structure. This will help us to determine which programs and funding streams will move under the BHA. HMA will also study how Medicaid and private insurance will align with or be integrated into the BHA. By June 30, 2021, HMA will deliver a detailed plan to create a BHA between July 2021 and June 2022. The BHA is expected to be operational in July 2022.

When the legislative session reconvenes in mid-February 2021, a bill will be introduced to support the analysis and planning that needs to be completed to establish the BHA. We will circulate a bill draft later this month and provide opportunities for you to share your feedback. The bill will be sponsored by Rep. Mary Young.

Conduct Statutory Review and Identify New Funding Sources: HMA will analyze and identify required statutory changes resulting from creating the BHA and implementing other Task Force recommendations. HMA will also explore how Colorado can better leverage federal Medicaid dollars and additional federal funds to support BHTF priorities, such as addressing the workforce shortage. This will be completed by June 30, 2021.

Develop a Proposal to Expand the Safety Net System: Per SB 19-222, CDHS must work with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive proposal that identifies needed community behavioral health services in each region of the state and a viable funding model for an expanded safety net system. This proposal must be submitted by July 1, 2021. 
Services for Co-Occurring Disability & Behavioral Health: A new workgroup will identify actionable recommendations to improve access to behavioral health care for people with co-occurring disabilities and behavioral health conditions. The full workgroup is expected to meet between January and April, with final recommendations expected no later than May 2021. The next meeting is Friday, January 29 from 12:30-2 p.m. Meeting dates can be found on our webpage.

Engage Stakeholders: To ensure reform works for the people we serve, we are seeking feedback from all stakeholders and working with a firm, Intentional Inquiry, to meet with historically marginalized populations. 
And there's more!

  • We heard from consumers and stakeholders that, for the most part, tele-behavioral health is a good thing, and they want more of it. Expanding tele-behavioral health is included in the Governor's FY 2022 budget request.

  • Addressing the workforce shortage will be a significant lift. A work group will begin to identify both short-term and long-term solutions in 2021. 

  • The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing will be bringing all payers together to review rates of reimbursement.
Get Involved! 

There are many ways to support this work:
Behavioral Health In the News

Colorado News Collaborative: On Edge: Colorado’s behavioral health chief talks about stigma, his own depression struggle

Denver 7: Colorado's Crisis Service System sees big jump in calls for help, many pandemic-related

Colorado News Collaborative: On Edge: Coloradans struggle with mental health in a state ill-prepared to help them

KUNC: Colorado Medicaid Expands Addiction Treatment Services Starting Jan. 1
Events & Webinars

Supporting Behavioral Health in Colorado with AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps provides people power to nonprofit and governmental organizations that address community needs throughout Colorado. Join Serve Colorado's Danny Fisher on Tuesday, February 2 at 1 p.m. MST to learn how AmeriCorps members can support your work in behavioral health. Danny will provide an overview of AmeriCorps, the grant process and ways to get involved. 
Where We're Headed
Behavioral health reform is underway! Keep track with our project timeline: 
Stay in touch! Sign up for our email list and follow us on social media: 
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