5022085802584A7087258759006FD0A2 Hearing Summary

Dr. Kevin Carney, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Children's Hospital Colorado discussed mental health services at Children's Hospital. He discussed inpatient psychiatric care, emergency room wait times, and continuum of care.

Committee members asked questions about staffing and bed capacity. Discussion continued about crisis care and lack of alternatives to inpatient beds.

Ashley Coram, School-Based Health Centers Program Manager, Every Child Pediatrics, discussed mental health needs at schools. She noted substance abuse, obesity, and other mental health issues. She also discussed workforce, telehealth, and prevention.

Christy Boland, Colorado Community Health Network, discussed challenges across the state and a related survey.

Michele Craig, Complex and Supportive Services Section Manager, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, gave a presentation titled "Considerations for High Impact Changes for Children & Youth with Complex & Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Needs."  The accompanying slides can be viewed here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/considerations_for_high_impact_changes_for_children_and_youth_with_complex_and_co-occuring_needs.pdf

 Committee members asked questions about children with disabilities and mental health needs.

Jamie Ulrich, Director, Weld County Department of Human Services, shared examples of high-risk youth and available county services. She made suggestions about keeping kids in-state and workforce retention.  

Dave Long, Director, Logan County Department of Human Services, discussed the difficulty of finding placements for high-risk youth in rural areas and noted workforce issues. He further discussed therapeutic foster homes, criteria, and other related issues.

Becky Updike, representing the Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies, discussed the need for continuum of care. She also touched upon residential facilities and workforce. She noted a model program in Ohio that has been successful in attracting and keeping workers. She discussed incentives, professional development, and interoperability platforms. Committee members asked questions about residential placements, including treatment facilities.