Colorado Health Access Fund Request for Proposals

“The Denver Foundation has just released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Colorado Health Access Fund. This statewide Fund supports programs and activities that increase access to behavioral health treatment for people in Colorado with high health care needs.  Over the course of eight years (2015 – 2022), the Fund is committed to allocating resources among rural, urban, and suburban areas.

There are two types of funding opportunities through this Fund, each of which has a different proposal due date. Visit our webpage to learn about the support for programs, projects, capital improvements, and general operating to increase access to behavioral health treatment.” [Source: The Denver Foundation]

Substance Abuse Screening Tool

“The CRAFFT is a standardized behavioral health screening tool for use with children or adolescents under the age of 21 and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Substance Abuse. It is free to use and consists of only 6 questions. There are two different versions currently available – one is administered by the provider and the other is self-report (to be filled out by the adolescent). The CRAFFT has been translated into multiple languages, including Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Portuguese, Laotian, Khmer, Japanese, Hebrew, French, and Haitian Creole.

For more information on associated reimbursement, implementation guidelines, and other resources view the Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program Clinical Newsletter.” [Source: CCHAP]

HCPF Updates

“Colorado’s eConsult Survey: HCPF needs your help designing an electronic consultation (eConsult) system to improve access to and utilization of specialty care medical services in the Medicaid program. The Department also plans to provide financial incentives to providers for participating in the eConsult program. Please fill out this brief survey to tell us your preferences for the new eConsult system: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Colorado-eConsult-Survey.

For New Clients: Selecting a Medicaid Health Plan and Provider Online: New Medicaid clients can now go online to select their Medicaid health plan and primary care medical provider through HealthColorado. HealthColorado’s new online form can be used by first-time Medicaid clients who are not enrolled in a Medicaid health plan yet.

Notification of Changes to BHOs: Through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Colorado Access won the behavioral health contract for northeastern Colorado, which will take effect July 1, 2014. Colorado Access will be doing business as Access Behavioral Care (ABC). Effective July 1, 2014, Northeast Behavioral Health Partnership (NBHP) will no longer manage behavioral health services for northeastern Colorado. For more information please see the May 2014 issue of At A Glance.

Medical Services Board Member Needed: The Department is seeking applicants for a vacant position on the Medical Services Board.  The person appointed to this position must reside in Congressional District 7, be either a registered Republican or an unaffiliated voter and have knowledge of medical assistance programs.  The Medical Services Board considers and promulgates rules submitted by the Department.  Anyone who is interested in being considered for an appointment to the Board should submit an application for membership through the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions.

Click here to view the May CICP Newsletter.” [Source: HCPF]

New Framework for School Behavioral Health Services

“The Colorado Legacy Foundation (CLF) recently released the Colorado Framework for School Behavioral Health Services, which includes a best practices blueprint for comprehensive school behavioral health services, a roadmap of critical success elements, and tools and resources to support schools in their implementation of comprehensive behavioral health systems.

The Framework supports the integration of behavioral health supports in schools with local behavioral health systems through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) combined with a System of Care (SOC).  The development of the Framework was guided by a leadership advisory committee comprised of education and behavioral health professionals and was informed by a literature review, interviews and focus groups, and a statewide gaps and barriers analysis.  Click here for more information.”  [Source:  COPrevent]

Integrated Behavioral Health Screening Tools for Primary Care

“The Integrated Behavioral Health Project (IBHP) has released a new electronic quick reference guide for behavioral health professionals. "Integrated Behavioral Health Screening Tools for Primary Care" (Oct 2013) has been produced in conjunction with CPCA and its Behavioral Health Network. This document is designed to provide hotlinks to screening tools and resources recommended for use in primary care. 

AND SEE: The Office of Integrated Healthcare Research and Policy in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine is presenting a monthly webinar series on integrating behavioral health in primary care. Upcoming webinar 11/19." [Source: CCI Voice]

August 29th Webinar: Connecting Two Worlds – States Integrating Primary & Behavioral Health Care

“The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is pleased to announce a new webinar, Connecting the Two Worlds: States Integrating Primary and Behavioral Health Care," on August 29, 2013, from 12:30-2:00 pm (EDT).

As states pursue payment and delivery reform to yield a more integrated delivery system, stronger connections between primary and behavioral health care are essential. This webinar will explore challenges and opportunities to building linkages and care models that meet the needs of patients with physical and behavioral health care needs. It will also examine strategies for blending disparate funding streams from different payers and exchanging data needed to support care coordination and working relationships between varied providers. The webinar will feature the experiences of Washington state, Minnesota, and an innovative community mental health center that is leveraging a Health Care Innovation award from the CMS Innovation Center to integrate care. Register now here.

This webinar is the final installment in a multi-part NASHP series to help states that are ready to take the next step in thinking about multi-payer approaches to payment and delivery reform, moving beyond the medical home. Previous webinars in the series can be viewed here.

Following the webinar, a small group of participating states will be invited to join in a virtual consultation with our featured faculty and project staff around the issues raised in this webinar.

For more information please contact Mike Stanek at mstanek@nashp.org."  [Source:  NASHP]

Web-Based Certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care (IBHPC )

"Offered by the University of Michigan School of Social Work, this certificate program is a blended and interactive web-based learning experience led by a team of national experts, seasoned clinicians, and University of Michigan scholars. Designed for professionals in social work, primary care, nursing, psychology, and other applied fields, participants will gain assessment, intervention, and consultation skills with practical applications in the workplace, and will link with a peer distance learning community to discuss ideas and practice new skills. A special emphasis of the IBHPC certificate program is teaching feasible behavioral health interventions for use in fast-paced clinical environments.  The application deadline is August 2, 2013." [Source: ACU] 

ACC Payment Reform Subcommittee

When: Friday, December 14, 2012 2:30 PM-4:30 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada).
Where: 225 E. 16th Avenue; Room 6 A/B

The meeting is a venue for RHCs, FQHCs, BHOs and RCCOs (Regional Care Collaborative Organizations) to discuss and provide input on Medicaid payment reform. RHC’s are encouraged to participate. See the call-in information below.

Call-in information:
Toll: 1-720-279-0026
Toll free: 1-877-820-7831
Passcode: 610450#  
[Source: Colorado Rural Health Center]

All Together Now: Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care in Medicaid

"Integrating behavioral health and primary care can help the newly Medicaid eligible (and other enrollees) manage mental health and substance abuse issues.  This can improve quality of life, enable self-management, and avoid undesirable acute care utilization...." Read more.  (Source: State Reforum)

Behavioral Health Care Workforce Summit August 4th

Thursday, August 4 ~ 8:30am-4:30pm

PPA Event Center   2105 Decatur St., Denver, CO 80211

Think you have something to say about our behavioral health care workforce? Then register now for Mental Health America of Colorado's upcoming INTERACTIVE Summit! Learn about projects from around the state, but most importantly, come be a part of the discussion to shape the future of our workforce!  To see the detailed agenda for the day, please click here.  Highlights will include: Dennis Mohatt, member of The Annapolis Coalition on the National Behavioral Health Workforce Steering Committee and Director of WICHE's Mental Health Program, will discuss national trends;  The emerging role of consumers and families in mental health care; Networking with state departments, behavioral health providers, advocacy groups, community health organizations, consumer and individuals in recovery and their familes; Innovative programs and ideas around integration and training in Colorado!