Jail Based Behavioral Health Services (JBBS)

In May 2010 the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 10-1352, which substantially altered Article 18, Title 18 concerning Uniform Controlled Substances. HB 10-1352 lowered the penalties for drug use and possession and directs expected savings to the Drug Offender Treatment fund for substance use disorder treatment of offenders. 

The HB 10-1352 oversight committee supported having the Division of Behavioral Health target the population of people in jail, which is one of the populations identified in the statute to be served with these dollars. Jails are operated by Sheriff Departments, and have oversight and control of services being provided.

The DBH has $1.5 allocated for the JBBS program. The JBBS program supports the County Sheriffs in providing screening, assessment and treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders to people who need such services while they are in jail.

The goal of the JBBS program is to provide appropriate behavioral health services to inmates while supporting continuity of care within the community after release from incarceration. This approach should result in shorted jail sentences and decreased recidivism through better identification and treatment of behavioral health needs. 

Ten awards were made to the following counties based on a competitive bid process:

Program Contact:
Jagruti Shah, MA, LPC, CACIII
Manager- Jail Based Behavioral Health Services Program
Phone: (303) 866-7504
Email: Jagruti.shah@state.co.us