Jump to navigation
The Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act (CYMHTA) (C.R.S. 27-67-101, et. seq.), also called House Bill 18-1094, allows for families to access mental health treatment services for their child or youth. CYMHTA is an alternative to child welfare involvement when a dependency and neglect action isn’t warranted. CYMHTA funding can be available when there is no other appropriate funding source for treatment, such as private insurance.
To be eligible for the Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act, a child or youth:
For additional questions or assistance regarding the Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act, please contact the CYMHTA Program Manager, Stacey Davis at 303.866.7468 or stacey.davis@state.co.us.
The parent(s) or the legal guardian(s) of a child or youth applies for services under the Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act by doing the following:
CYMHTA Liaison Contact ListCYMHTA Provider ListMontana Wilderness School and CYMHTA Flier 2020
For additional behavioral health resources, including residential treatment options, please consult our list of Residential Facilities Utilizing Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents.
Parents or the legal guardians are responsible for 7 percent of the total costs of the treatment services provided under CYMHTA, at minimum paying $50 per calendar month.
If the child or youth is placed in residential level of care under CYMHTA funding, the parent or legal guardian must apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) upon behalf of their child or youth within ten (10) business days.
For a Medicaid child or youth, a parent or legal guardian may request an objective third-party clinical review within five business days after all first-level Medicaid appeals processes for the residential denial are exhausted. This clinical review does not obligate the funding of services.
Please find relevant behavioral health regulations and statute listed below. The online versions of these behavioral health regulations and statute are the most current versions available. However, these are not the official versions. For official publication of these and all State of Colorado regulations, please consult the Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) or contact Lexis-Nexis at 800.227.9597 or the Secretary of State, Information Center at 303.894.2200, x6418.
Standardized Risk Stratification Tool
The Office of Behavioral Health has identified The Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment as the standardized risk stratification tool. The Mental Health Agency shall use the CANS when evaluating a child or youth for eligibility under the Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act to align with statute (C.R.S. 27-67-101, et seq).
The purpose of the Standardized Risk Stratification Tool is to support the determination of the assessment for level of care and eligibility.
The Office of Behavioral Health will post more information, including training and materials, as it becomes available.
CYMHTA Liaison Contact ListCYMHTA Provider List CMHTA to CYMHTA Changes and Updates Effective July 1, 2018 (webinar)Montana Wilderness School and CYMHTA Flier 2020
CYMHTA Liaison Contact ListCYMHTA Provider ListCMHTA to CYMHTA Changes and Updates Effective July 1, 2018 (webinar)CYMHTA HandoutCYMHTA's Impact and OutcomesFrequently Asked QuestionsMontana Wilderness School and CYMHTA Flier 2020
The Child and Youth Mental Health Service Standards Advisory Board is responsible for recommending standards and rules relevant to the provision of mental health services to children and youth. Visit the Board's website to access meeting date/times, membership, and meeting agendas/minutes.
