Community Behavioral Health

The Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) exists within the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH).  DBH works collaboratively with the OBH Deputy Executive Director to execute the State’s federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and the Single State Substance Abuse Authority. DBH is responsible to administer, license, and regulate the provision of community-based public behavioral health system, specifically the substance use prevention, mental health promotion and early intervention, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health treatment services for the State of Colorado. DBH formulates and implements public policy delineating the availability, effectiveness, funding, and diversity of public behavioral health services; contracts and monitors State and federally funded behavioral health service programs and coordinates with other existing human service agencies and program providers; develops performance standards, rules and regulations; licenses, approves designates, and monitors the public behavioral health system and service providers; conducts state-wide research and program evaluation; and provides expert technical assistance, training, and consultation in the areas of public policy, finance, research and evaluation, prevention, early intervention, and clinical treatment practices to support and enhance the provision of high quality behavioral health care.

Mission and Goals

 
Mission Statement: We are dedicated to strengthening the health, resiliency, and recovery of Coloradans through quality and effective behavioral health prevention, intervention, and treatment.

Overarching Goals

• Continually improve the quality of prevention, intervention, and treatment services
• Advance collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
• Enhance knowledge, understanding, and awareness of behavioral health disorders
• Secure, preserve, and maximize resources
• Strengthen the system infrastructure and workforce
• Design, develop, and maintain a comprehensive evaluation and reporting system

Values and Principles

The values and principles that guide our work include:

• Proactive behavioral health state leadership in a dynamic environment
• Promotion of workplace satisfaction, staff development, and quality hiring and retention practices
• Policy and service level participation of consumers, families, and communities
• Collaboration and partnership building with providers and other stakeholders
• Establishment and maintenance of high standards for service delivery
• Resiliency and recovery-focused systems of care
• Culturally responsive, inclusive, and welcoming of diversity
• Continuous quality improvement
• Dedication to evidence-based and promising practices
• Comprehensive and integrated continuum of care
• High standards for ethical and professional conduct
• Exemplary customer service and satisfaction
• Strengths-based and solution-focused
• Innovation, creativity, and effective use of technology
• Research, analysis, and information-driven decision making
• Cost-effective, fiscal accountability, and maximization of public funding
• Maintenance of safety net for populations