After years of stakeholder meetings, gathering hundreds of testimonies and input, system review, launching a new state department and auditing the behavioral health system, Colorado has released the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Implementation Plan.
Children and youth have unique needs, experience unique challenges and require specific supports and interventions. Mental health and substance-use disorder services for children and youth cannot mirror adult services.
That’s why the state of Colorado is setting up services and supports for all children and youth. The state is setting expectations for collaboration across state agencies and payers and providers to build a comprehensive, equitable, effective continuum of mental health and substance-use disorder services.
We take a whole-system,, whole-person approach – Kelly Causey
“Colorado is committed to improving behavioral health outcomes for our kids today and for generations to come. This plan was promised and delivered by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, and the work of the Behavioral Health Task Force was foundational to the success of this systemic effort,” said Lt. Gov. Diane Primavera.
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, the Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families; the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing; the Division of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies; the Department of Early Childhood; the Department of Education; and the Department of Public Health and Environment collaborated to formulate the plan.
“The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration is proud to lead the statewide, systemic improvements and changes for the behavioral health system kids experience in Colorado,” said Kelly Causey, BHA deputy commissioner.
“We take a whole-system, whole-person approach to our work, and this plan specifically addresses the access and quality of services for all children and youth.”
The vision for Colorado’s children and youth behavioral health system is to be a comprehensive, equitable, effective continuum of behavioral health services that meets the needs of children and youth in the right place, at the right time, to achieve whole-person health and wellbeing.
This means Colorado’s children and youth receive the services they need to thrive in their community, making long-lasting, positive impacts on their lives.
To achieve this vision, state agencies will work in unison and support efforts to:
• Promote the well-being of children and youth;
• Establish a comprehensive continuum of behavioral health services;
• Create the foundation for a system of care framework unique to Colorado;
• Reduce barriers to access and affordability of care;
• Support a competent and adequate workforce; and
• Have accountability and oversight to ensure a quality behavioral health system.
The summary with immediate priorities and action items can be found at tinyurl.com/ColoBehavioralHealthSummary
The full implementation plan is available here: tinyurl.com/ColoBehavioralHealthPlan.
Information: bha.colorado.gov.
