A2424C40EF0546B48725845500604279 Hearing Summary

Camille Harding, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS), updated the committee on House Bill 19-1287.  She discussed the bed capacity tracker, the rural grants, and incorporation in the Crisis Hotline Contract. Ms. Harding responded to questions.

Ms. Harding discussed the Population in Need Study required under federal block grant funding.  She discussed the funding related to providing a continuum of treatment services.  Ms. Harding provided information on the federal grants received by OBH.  She explained the Managed Service Organization (MSO) system in OBH to provide treatment.

Frank Cornelia, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, discussed recommendations related to substance use disorders (SUD) treatment. He described a recommendation to align state statutes regarding civil commitments for persons with SUD and mental health disorders. Mr. Cornelia discussed other changes to statutory requirements and language regarding persons with SUD. Mr. Cornelia responded to questions. Ms. Harding responded to questions.

Daniel Darting, Signal Behavioral Health, presented on the partnership between OBH and MSOs to provide a statewide safety net for the treatment of SUD.  He spoke about the expanded treatment that his organization has been able to provide as the result of recent state legislation.  He explained that the MSO system advocates for strategies focused on the entire continuum of care for SUD. Mr. Darting discussed some recommendations for the committee to consider, including expanding funding for more family services, intensive outpatient programs, transitional residential treatment, and employment supports. He also recommended that the involuntary commitment process be improved and suggested providing expanded funding for technology and telehealth.

Brad Sjostrom, Colorado Providers Association (COPA), discussed the priorities of COPA, including coordination across the continuum of care, funding expansion areas, statute modernization, and support for education around medical responsibility for SUD clients.