Colorado Behavioral Health

The meeting commenced with the establishment of quorum and a review of the agenda. Key updates from the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Commissioner Smith focused on preparations for the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) hearing, including four decision items. Significant progress on the Colorado LIFTS (formerly BHASO model) implementation was noted, which serves clients through three tiers of support. BHA is also enhancing its Client Search Platform to show real-time bed availability across BHA and CDHS facilities (totaling 2,559 beds) and collaborating on competency support strategies. Four major goals for 2025-2026 were outlined: ensuring statewide access to behavioral health, developing a robust crisis system (with a planned visit to Utah), building an expanded Children and Youth Implementation Plan, and improving the intersection between the criminal justice system and behavioral health. During the Governor's Budget Updates, it was communicated that all state agencies must account for a budget decrease, with BHA's hearing scheduled for December 16, 2025. Workforce updates included strategies for education/training (including a Learning Management System 2.0 and outreach to diverse populations), centralization of credentialing information, and recruitment/retention efforts via career fairs and a Learning Academy for rural areas. Public comment included questions regarding the legality of returned funding and concerns about monitoring provider quality and addressing the shortage of high-acuity workforce providers.

The council established a quorum and reviewed the agenda for the day, including upcoming items for January concerning Safety Net topics. A primary focus was the review and proposal for a Draft Behavioral Health Workgroup, which is intended to be a solution-based group providing direct feedback to the BHA regarding workforce challenges and potential solutions, with Dr. Rob Archuleta volunteering to lead it. Discussions also covered the Provider Rules Update process, noting that community engagement for rule updates would commence in January, aiming for official alignment by July 2027 with the goal of making rules easier to read. Questions arose regarding the advertisement of engagement opportunities, the clarity of ASAM rule changes, and the financial impact on providers, particularly CSNIPs. The council emphasized the need to balance access issues, especially in rural areas, and to distinguish between the needs of addiction care and mental health care. Public comments reiterated concerns about access barriers resulting from the proposed ASAM rules.

The meeting commenced with roll call and confirmation of quorum, followed by a review of the agenda and the approval of the March 2025 meeting minutes. Key discussion points included updates on member recruitment, with recruitment running until April 30, 2025, and recruitment needs for the Report Subcommittee. The Council revisited the Performance Hub presentation, approving the creation of a living document to track feedback and BHA responses to topics such as language access (including Braille), workforce data integration, agricultural engagement, and transparency metrics. A presentation on the Grievance System highlighted an upcoming plain-language complaint form, increased demographic tracking, and clear SOPs for processing complaints, alongside discussions regarding retaliation concerns in rural areas. Commissioner Updates included details about the BHA Summit scheduled for May 27, 2025, and the launch of the BHASO model on July 9, 2025. Public comments addressed fears of retaliation in rural areas.

The agenda for this meeting includes a call to order and roll call, followed by a review of the meeting packet and the minutes from the June meeting. Key discussion points involve a council debrief of the 2024-2025 Council Applicant appointment process and a debrief on the one-page document concerning the grievance system. The council will also discuss a BHAAC Connection opportunity and the BHASO Regional Council Selection Committee, which includes a request for BHAAC volunteers to review applications. A discussion item involves the ASAM 4th Edition: Community Engagement Standard Operating Procedure. Later in the meeting, there will be a meet and greet with new BHAAC members and a council administrative review focusing on the 2024-2025 Annual Report, including reviewing the process, completing feedback forms, and scheduling subcommittee meetings prior to the August BHAAC Meeting. The session concludes with a public comment period.

The meeting included a review of the agenda and a debrief on ASAM 4.0 Discussions, for which running notes were taken. The Chairs plan to send out a survey regarding in-person/hybrid connection meetings, with the first scheduled for October in Castle Rock. During the Council Administrative Review, the Council reviewed and provided feedback on the 2024-2025 DRAFT Annual Report, including the Executive Summary, Introduction, Behavioral Health Definition, and the revision of the Mission and Vision Statement. Key accomplishments reviewed included the election of Council Officers, creation of an Annual Calendar, and implementation of BHAAC Bylaws. Discussions focused on statutory recommendations, such as using the term "legally involved" instead of "justice involved," and preferring "feedback" over "complaint" or "grievance" for the Systemwide Grievance System. The Council also discussed the need for peer support navigators and collaborative approaches rather than punitive ones when monitoring providers. Public comments addressed the use of "Criminal Legal System" and the role of socio-economic status as a determinant of health for underserved populations.