90BB738DF561C7B3872587C100598927 Hearing Summary

Jacob Bornstein, Wellstone Strategies, distributed a handout that summarized behavioral health related recommendations for Task Force consideration, including ones that required funding and ones that were policy-oriented.

The handout can be found here:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/lcs/bh_draft_recommendations_01_05_22.pdf

The funding recommendations are organized in letter format on pages 1-2. 

Mr. Bornstein explained the review and voting process and answered questions. 

Mr. Bornstein began by reviewing Recommendation A:  Southern Ute Behavioral Health Facility. The committee agreed to go forward with the recommendation.  

Mr. Bornstein proceeded to Recommendations B.1. Youth and Family Residential Care; B.2. Children, Youth, and Families Community Services; and, B.3 School and Pediatric Care BH Integrations.  Task Force members asked questions about expanding facilities to different parts of the state, on-going costs, and overlap with public safety proposals. 

Mr. Bornstein clarified the voting process.  Committee members agreed to move forward with Recommendations B.1,  B.2., and B.3. 

Mr. Bornstein continued to Recommendation C: Adult Residential Care.  Committee discussion ensued about bed numbers and types of facilities. 

The committee had no objections to Recommendation C and agreed to include it in the final report. 

Mr. Bornstein reviewed Recommendation D. Primary Care BH Integrations (formerly SIM).  Task Force members discussed training, cost-benefits, and subpanel priorities.  Clarifying language was recommended, but otherwise the Task Force had no objections to this recommendation and agreed to make it part of the final report. 

Mr. Bornstein next discussed Recommendation  E.1. Community BH Continuum of Care Gap Grants.  Task Force members discussed overlap with other behavioral health services, regional needs, and competency. 

The committee had no objections to Recommendation E.1 and agreed to include it in the final report. 

Mr. Bornstein explained Recommendation E.2. Criminal Justice Grants: Diversion, CJ Early Intervention Program, Intervention, and Competency. 

Task Force and subpanel members suggested clarifying language regarding jail-based competency treatment.  Further discussion ensued about and pre and post arrest language concerning diversion programs.  Task Force members agreed to include Recommendation E.2. in the final report. 

Task Force members discussed the funding allocation.  It was suggested to move funds from the upcoming workforce recommendation (F) and add more into the criminal justice ones (E.1, E.2, and E.3).  Committee members discussed this suggestion and expressed concerns about making cuts to workforce.  The facilitators pointed out that the criminal justice recommendations also addressed workforce issues. 

Mr. Bornstein reviewed Recommendation F. Workforce.  Task Force members discussed scholarships and loan forgiveness.  They also discussed workforce expansion and providers.  Further questions were raised about expanding the provider network and increasing capacity to ensure there is a safety net for individuals in crisis.  Additional comments were made about adding workforce for competency restoration services. 

The Task Force further discussed the funding allocation and agreed to change the workforce and criminal justice funding ranges.  The criminal justice increased to $65 million (low range) to $70 million (high range).  The workforce range changed to $80.3 million (low range) to $82 million (high range).  The Task Force agreed on the new ranges and also decided to move forward with  Recommendation F. Workforce. 

Mr. Bornstein moved to Recommendation G. BH System Investments in Care Navigation & Coordination and Immediate Pandemic Relief.  Committee members noted that parts of this recommendation would better fit in policy, not funding, recommendations.  Otherwise, the Task Force concurred about this recommendation. 

Task Force members discussed contingencies for on-going costs and leveraging funds.  The conversation turned to policy components included in Recommendation G.

Mr. Bornstein discussed the final report and its contents, including but not limited to legislative guidance, parameters of the American Rescue Plan Act funds, process, subpanel meetings, and the working groups.