I_ECR_BH_2021A 08/17/2021 09:10:32 AM Committee Summary

Senator Pettersen, Task Force Chair, gave opening remarks. An agenda was distibuted to members (http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bh_task_force_-_agenda_august_meeting.pdf). 

Task Force members introduced themselves and provided information about who they represent, specific areas of interest, and why they want to be on the Task Force. 

Senator Pettersen gave an overview of the committee charge, including the available funding to distribute and restrictions on use.

Kristen Forrestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, summarized Senate Bill 21-137, the Behavioral Health Recovery Act.   She noted the bill created the Task Force and corresponding subpanel to make recommendations on how to distribute the federal funds for behavioral health. She further summarized deadlines, and also provided a document on allowable uses for the federal funds (http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/behavioral_health_task_force_2021.pdf).  

Jacob Bornstein and Marisol Rodriguez, facilitators from Wellstone Collaborative Strategies, introduced themselves. Mr. Bornstein discussed the subpanel and timelines.  Ms. Rodriguez set the ground rules and referenced power dynamics, relationships, participation, first-person langauge, and the conversation process.  The facilitator presentation can be found here:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/08-17-21_bhtf_facilitator_presentation.pdf

Task Force members asked questions about public input and stakeholder feedback. 

Further questions were raised about the subpanels and the public engagement process.  The Task Force members agreed to the ground rules. 

The following individuals gave a presentation about Colorado’s behavioral health needs, including an overview of the behavioral health system, progress to date, and remaining systemic gaps in care:

• Kim Bimestefer, executive director the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
• Summer Gathercole, Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation, Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS)
• Robert Werthwein, Director, Office of Behavioral Health, CDHS

The presentation can be viewed here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/behavioral_health_in_colorado_-_putting_people_first.pdf

Task Force members asked questions about evidence-based practices, co-responder programs, and residential child care facilities.

Further questions were asked about payer sources, best practices, and cost benefits.   Discussion followed about the need for additional local, state and federal investiments in mental health, the overuse of emergency rooms for persons with a mental health disorder, and the need for more step-down facilities. 

Mr. Bornstein returned to the table to discuss the subpanel's role in the process.  Vincent Atchity, executive director of Mental Health Colorado and subpanel chair, made introductory remarks and discussed the subpanel composition.

The facilitators instructed the Task Force members to participate in an exercise about transformational change.   Mr. Bornstein idenitified themes found from the exercise, including prevention, filling gaps, access, integration, transitions, timeliness, workforce, funding, affordability, and incentives.  

Mr. Bornstein identified the following behavioral health strategic pillars: 1) health promotion and recovery; 2) entry and access to the system; 3) accountability and transparency; 4) workforce; and 5) affordability. 

Members discussed the strategic pillars and made suggestions to add affordability, quality and equity, and infrastructure. 

Members continued the discussion about the identified strategic pillars.  Members brought up the criminal justice system, workforce quality, affordability, insurance and Medicaid, services in rural parts of the state, and streamlining the behavioral healthcare system. 

Mr. Bornstein reported that he would share Task Force priorities with the subpanel. 

The Chair made closing comments and noted the upcoming subpanel meeting. 

The committee meeting schedule was discussed as part of the facilitator introductory comments earlier in the hearing.  The proposed meeting schedule can be found on page 4 of this document: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/08-17-21_bhtf_facilitator_presentation.pdf