4E842EB681ECA58287258A04005654FE Hearing Summary

A panel of Jamie FitzSimons, Summit County Sheriff, and Tyler Brown, Arapahoe County Sheriff, presented to the committee. They spoke on the success of the Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) program in reducing recidivism rates for users. While the program is successful, it is harder to staff these facilities in smaller, rural counties. Being able to reintroduce patients into the community is also an important part of the program. The stigma of MAT programs was an important barrier to overcome. The program did have tangible improvements in inmates with decreased overdoses and violence.

The committee asked about diversion methods in arrests. The panel stated that diversionary tactics are successful.

The committee asked about the continuity of care for reintroduction in to society and any relationships with sober living or other facilities. The panel stated that having a staff members specifically to help individuals with reintroduction was key to successful efforts. The panel also stated that they work with facilities and community based resources.

A panel of Danielle Culp, Interim Director of Criminal Justice Services in the Behavioral Health Administration, and Cristen Bates, Deputy Medicaid Director in the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, spoke on financing efforts for those incarcerated. The panel went over Jail Based Behavioral Health Services (JBBS) and assist in funding substance use disorder services, mental health services, pre-sentencing coordination services, and medication assisted treatment. The majority of the state uses JBBS programs.

The committee asked about receiving data early for a report. The panel stated they would try to see what they could share.

The committee asked about the goal of reducing recidivism and how to measure that. The panel stated that their primary focus is based on the health benefits.

The committee asked about diversion programs. The panel went over the success of diversion programs and what parts of the programs would be covered.

The committee asked about ARPA funding use. The panel said the funding was through technical assistance in the jails.

The committee asked about the effect of the federal waiver for medicaid in jails. The panel explained how there would be a goal of having equitable statewide access ot the medicaid funding.

The committee asked about care inside of jail facilities. The panel stated that the health information exchange established medical consistency in treatment.

The committee asked about inpatient care for recently incarcerated individuals. The panel went over the changes to the standards for inpatient care, and how providers are recognizing involuntary abstinence for support.