New Pilot project to deliver enhanced, integrated Behavioral Health
services to Child Welfare adolescents

CDHS Executive Director Reggie Bicha announces that El Paso County Department of Human Services will be leading an integrated behavioral health pilot project.

On May 21, the Colorado Department of Human Services announced that El Paso County Department of Human Services has been selected to lead a pilot project. A new home and community based behavioral health model will provide wraparound behavioral health and community services to families of adolescents in the child welfare system, as well as youth on probation.

The project will serve youth ages 10 to 18 years old with complex mental health needs, and will focus on delivering mobile services and comprehensive supports to assist these children and their families in their own homes and communities.

“Serving people in their own homes and communities will help us drive better outcomes for children and families. El Paso County has implemented many strong practices, and will be a great pilot county to develop improved services, leading to a more efficient and effective system,” said Colorado Department of Human Services Executive Director Reggie Bicha.

The $300,000 grant funded project will create intensive care coordination services, family and youth peer supports, expanded behavioral health services and an extensive quality assurance process.

The project will determine the impact of innovative funding strategies to facilitate service flexibility, reduce service/funding silos and reduce the financial burden to any individual system or agency while meeting tailored youth and family needs.

“El Paso County is excited to be chosen as the pilot county for the Care Management Entity Distribution Project. This is an opportunity to give some of the most troubled youth in our community and their families extra assistance; all while keeping a close eye on the outcomes to hopefully set the stage to expand this program into other Colorado communities,” said Sallie Clark, Commissioner El Paso County.

“This project will mean fewer barriers and easier access to services, and ultimately better outcomes for those children and their families struggling with behavioral health problems who are involved in multiple systems such as child welfare and juvenile justice,” said Claudia Zundel, Director of Child, Adolescent and Family Services for the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Partners in this effort include the El Paso County Department of Human Services, AspenPointe Health Services, AspenPointe Health Network , Value Options, the Fourth Judicial District Office of Probation, the Fourth Judicial District Department of Youth Corrections, Manitou Springs School District 14 and Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Find us on Facebook.