2019 LEGISLATIVE IDEAS: INCLUDING AUTHORIZATION TO SEEK SOCIAL IMPACT BONDS TO BRING HOUSING TO SCALE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Form a Stakeholder Group led by the CDHS' Office of Behavioral Health & HCPF to:

  • Determine “Specific” Eligibility Criteria Across Colorado’s Mental Health Continuum of Care that can be clearly understood by individuals and family members
  • Make recommendations to improve Colorado’s Mental Health Continuum of Care, specifically addressing:

CO has one of the Top Economies in the Nation — often ranked #1

  • ​1st Episode Psychosis and lay the groundwork for implementation of the Finnish “Open Dialogue Approach” in Colorado
  • The Need to Include “Strengths” identification and development for people with “Mental Illness” — Develop a Resource Guide to be continually updated.
  • Develop a “Resource Guide” for “Workarounds and Accommodations” for common mental, emotional and/or behavioral issues for people with “mental illness.”
  • Regarding Services for Coloradans with “Invisible”/Cognitive Disabilities including but not limited to: Coloradans with brain injury, mental illness, substance use issues, and developmental disabilities:
  • ​what are the numbers of Coloradans with each of these disabilities and any combination of these disabilities
  • what levels of care do these Coloradans require
  • Make recommendations to the current Medicaid provided Continuum of Care to bring services & treatment to scale @ the level needed. [This is really GOLDILOCKS: IF THE CARE IS TOO MUCH IT IS NOT INNOCUOUS & IT CAN HURT PEOPLE, BUT IF THE CARE IS TOO LITTLE IT CAN DEFINITELY HURT PEOPLE]
  • Bring Assertive Community Treatment to Scale for all people who meet “reasonable medical necessity”
  • Authorize Social Impact Bond Proposal to bring housing to scale for people with disabilities who are homeless and/or leaving incarceration.
  • ​Such disabilities should include, but not be limited to: brain injury, mental illness, substance use issues, and developmental disability and any combination of the above.