I_ECR_BH_2021A 11/01/2021 12:35:09 PM Committee Summary

Senator Pettersen made opening remarks. The agenda was distributed:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bh_task_force_-_agenda_nov_1.pdf

Senator Pettersen reviewed the committee schedule, found at this link:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/upcoming_task_force_and_subpanel_dates.pdf

Vincent Atchity, Subpanel Chair, President and CEO, Mental Health Colorado, provided an overview of subpanel and work group progress.

Lesley Brooks, M.D., Subpanel Vice-Chair, Chief of Addiction Medicine, SummitStone Health Partners, added to the discussion about subpanel and work group progress. 

Henry Sobenet, Chief Financial Officer, Colorado State University System, discussed his work as a subpanel member of the Task Force on Economic Recovery and Relief Cash Fund.  He shared the Economic Recovery and Relief Task Force suggested evaluation criteria, found here:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/err_task_force_possible_framework_for_evaluating_recomendations_11-1-10.pdf.

Committee members asked questions about the evaluation criteria. 

Jacob Bornstein, Wellstone Strategies, shared how the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force is prioritizing strategies.  He distributed the following documents to the committee:

• Feedback on Behavioral Health Workforce Preliminary Draft Recommendations (http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bhtf_draft_workforce_recomendations_chelckist_11-1-24.pdf)
• Subpanel Preliminary Draft Recommenations Workforce Pillar (http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bhtf_subpanel_workforce_recomendations_handout_11-1-21.pdf)
• Review of Guidance from Task Force (http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bhttf_lenses_and_guidance.pdf)

Roger Low, CEO and Founder, Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiatives, discussed his organization's purpose and mission.  He presented a slide deck about workforce issues, accessed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/11.1.2021_ceemi_presentation.pdf.

He answered questions from the committee.  Committee discussion followed about psychiatric nurses. 

Elizabeth Arenales, Senior Policy Advisor, Governor Jared Polis, presented a slide deck about policy priorities for behavioral health American Rescue Plan Act funds:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/11_01_21_-_bh_full_task_force_briefing.pdf.

Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director, Office of Behavioral Health, Colorado Department of Human Services, discussed community investment grants, statewide frameworks, and assessments.

Cristen Bates, Population Health Division Director, Health Programs Office, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, added information about care integration and payment reform. 

Committee discussion ensued about incentive structure for payors and evidence-based practices.  Questions were also raised about work force.

Furrther discussion followed about bi-directional models, interoperability platforms, and youth with complex needs. 

Ms. Arenales continued the presentation and pivoted to workforce and loan forgivenes programs.  Dr. Werthwein discussed an adult bed analysis.

José Esquibel, Director, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, presented preliminary draft recommendations from the workforce working group.  The recommendations can be viewed here:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bhttf_subpanel_workforce_pillar_preliminary_draft_recommendations_11-1-21.pdf.

The following other individuals contributed to the presentation about the workforce recommendations:

• Summer Gathercole, Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation, Colorado Department of Human Services
• Steve Holloway, Health Access Branch Director, Prevention Services Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Byron Pelton, Logan County Commissioner
• Casey Wolfington, PsyD, Senior Director of Community Behavioral Health, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health
• Matt Vogle, Executive Director, National Behavioral Health Innovation Center

Committee members asked questions about the workforce recommendations. 

Senator Pettersen noted that the guidance and lenses portion of the agenda will be rescheduled to the following week.

Elizabeth Newman, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, discussed the link between behavioral health and sexual and domestic violence. 

Jennifer Stith, representing the WINGS Foundation, testified about behavioral health needs of adult survivors of sexual abuse. She distributed a handout (Attachment A).

Ms. Maricela Dennis, representing Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified about victims and behavioral health needs. 

Ms. Jennifer Roberts, representing Colorado Cross Disability Coalition/ Behavioral Health Policy Advocate, testified about representation for the disability community.