7E378A0A17E986F28725867E0077F491 Hearing Summary

Emily Hanson, Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS), introduced the presentation (Attachment C) and the DHS staff present.

Kevin Niemond, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, DHS, gave an overview of the department including the five offices that operate within DHS.

Mr. Neimond spoke about the strategic plan called Better Together. He pointed to a map in the presentation to show how the staff is split across the state and the facilities that are located in each part of the state. He highlighted the department's upcoming legislative agenda and the handful of bills they are working on with legislators.

Yolanda Webb, Director, Office of Adult, Aging, and Disability Services, gave an overview of the office and its areas of oversight. She spoke about the different centers located across Colorado and the services these locations provide.

Ms. Webb discussed the veterans community living centers (VCLCs) located across Colorado. She talked about the behavioral health programs in the VCLCs and about the entire system of care.

Mary Alice Cohen, Director, Office of Early Childhood, gave an overview of the office and how they increase access to services to help families and children. She discussed the challenges that their childcare centers have been facing.

Ms. Cohen outlined the different legislative priorities they are working on to address these challenges, including those that have arisen from COVID-19.

Minna Castillo Cohen, Director, Office of Children Youth and Families, gave an overview of the office, including the programs that the office oversees. She spoke about the legislative priorities.

Ki'i Powell, Director, Office of Economic Security, gave an overview of the four different divisions of the office and the populations these divisions serve. She spoke about the rates of poverty and hunger within Colorado despite the supports that have been put in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director, Office of Behavioral Health, gave an overview of the responsibilities of the office, including providing substance abuse treatment and mental health services not covered under Medicaid. He spoke about the characteristics of patients that their hospital locations serve. He discussed the lawsuit that the office is currently under which has left them unable to perform some of their services.

Dr. Werthwein continued to speak about the lawsuit.

Dr. Werthwein spoke about their participation in the Behavioral Health Task Force. He pointed to the phases outlined in the presentation.

Michelle Barnes, Executive Director, DHS, thanked the committee for their interest in the work done by the department.

Dr. Werthwein answered questions about the bed availability and how it has been impacted by COVID-19.

Ms. Powell and Dr. Werthwein answered questions from the committee.

Committee members made comments about rural access to mental health services.