Behavioral Health Administration to reform services
- The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) in Colorado was established in 2022 to reform mental health services, consolidating fragmented systems into a more accessible, equitable, and comprehensive framework aligned with Medicaid regions.
- Key initiatives of the BHA include expanding the peer support workforce, strengthening the overall behavioral health workforce, and enhancing system coordination to provide person-centered, culturally relevant services across Colorado.
- Through partnerships with state departments, local governments, and community organizations, the BHA aims to streamline behavioral health services, elevate lived experiences, and ensure community involvement, guided by Commissioner Dannette R. Smith.
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A New Era in Mental Health Services
The state of Colorado has taken a significant step towards addressing the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding mental health by creating the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) in 2022. This new agency, established to tackle the pressing needs of Colorado's residents, has been working tirelessly to reform mental health services and make them more accessible, equitable, and effective.
The Need for Reform
Over one million people in Colorado require behavioral health services, yet the current system faces numerous barriers. These include inconsistent quality, cultural disparities, challenging access, poor accountability, and unaffordability. The current system is also described as disconnected and difficult to navigate, leading to frustration and inefficiency in delivering care.
The Birth of BHA
Colorado House Bill 22-1278 operationalized the BHA, creating a new cabinet-level agency within the Department of Human Services. This legislation aimed to consolidate fragmented behavioral health networks into one administrative services organization (ASO) per region, aligning these regions with Medicaid regions to streamline the system and reduce bureaucracy.
Key Initiatives of BHA
Expanding the Peer Support Workforce
One of the top priorities for the BHA is to expand and strengthen the peer support workforce throughout the state. The peer support model allows for tiered entry into the workforce, elevates lived experiences, and reduces traditional barriers to entering the workforce.
Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce
The BHA has an ambitious plan to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in Colorado. This involves reviewing current workforce efforts, noting progress toward goals, and outlining next steps over the next two years (2023-25). The goal is to ensure a behavioral health system that offers meaningful, culturally relevant, and trusted services.
Creating a Coordinated System
The BHA is designed to lead the coordination of behavioral health efforts across agencies. It aims to create shared goals, improve collaboration, drive accountability, and transparency for a person-centered, outcome-oriented behavioral health system for all Coloradans.
Elevating Lived Experiences
By elevating the voice of individuals and family members with lived experience of behavioral health, the BHA seeks to make the system more responsive to the needs of those it serves. This involves engaging diverse community groups and providers to expand services and ensure that all voices are heard.
Structure and Governance
The BHA is led by a Cabinet Level Commissioner and is composed of six internal divisions. The agency operates within the Colorado Department of Human Services until a permanent location is determined by the General Assembly on or before November 2024. The BHA also works closely with the Cabinet to ensure a seamless and connected approach to behavioral health in Colorado.
Collaboration and Partnerships
To achieve its goals, the BHA collaborates with various state departments, including Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) as the state Medicaid agency, and the Division of Insurance (DOI), as the regulator of private insurance. It also partners with local governments, intermediaries, providers, and other key stakeholders to generate solutions and build shared accountability for outcomes.
BHASO: Regional Intermediaries
As outlined in Colorado House Bill 22-1278, the BHA will consolidate Administrative Services Organizations (ASO) and Managed Service Organizations (MSO) into regional intermediaries known as Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASO). These BHASOs will be responsible for the provider network of mental health, substance use, and crisis services, as well as care coordination across regions.
Commissioner Dannette R. Smith
Commissioner Dannette R. Smith has been appointed by Gov. Jared Polis to lead the BHA. Her appointment reflects extensive stakeholder feedback and the governor’s commitment to bringing transformational change to Colorado’s behavioral health system. Under her leadership, the BHA aims to increase access to quality behavioral health services by engaging diverse community groups and providers.
Community Involvement
The BHA is deeply committed to community involvement. It works hand in hand with community mental health centers (CMHCs) to provide mental health treatment services to individuals and families with low incomes or no insurance. Additionally, the BHA contracts with Administrative Services Organizations (ASOs) for walk-in crisis centers, crisis stabilization centers, and respite and mobile crisis services.
Future Plans
The BHA has a clear roadmap for the next few years. It plans to continue hiring behavioral health leaders to bring new expertise to the team. The agency will also engage in ongoing stakeholder meetings and solicit input on upcoming rule changes to ensure that the system remains transparent and accountable. By Fall 2024, the winning proposals for BHASO regions will be announced, marking another significant milestone in the BHA's journey.
Conclusion
The Behavioral Health Administration represents a significant step forward in Colorado's efforts to address the multifaceted issues surrounding mental health. By consolidating fragmented services, elevating lived experiences, and ensuring equitable access, the BHA aims to create a comprehensive and effective continuum of behavioral health services that meets the needs of all Coloradans. As the BHA continues its transformative work, it remains committed to creating a world where every person in Colorado can experience whole-person health.
