Susan Thornton writes in this DenverPost.com piece about the newly established Mental Health Court in Colorado’s 18th Judicial District. 

"The court is a specialized treatment court similar to others used in Colorado for drug users and teen offenders. It’s designed to divert nonviolent felony offenders who have a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or major depression, as well as those with a combination of mental illness and substance abuse. It is not open to those with violent behavior or to sex offenders."

Click here to read more about the court and statistics demonstrating the human and fiscal need for such a court. 

This article in the Colorado Springs Gazette by Debbie Kelley discusses a recent federal grant award of $1.5 million to the Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group (PPBHG) to treat and provide job training and education to mentally ill homeless individuals in the Colorado Springs area.  The grant dollars will go a long way to helping PPBHG to not only reduce homelessness, but also to ensuring the appropriate mental health treatment and other skill building resources are in place to help keep these folks off the streets. 

Click here to read more about the grant.

As reported in the Grand Junction Sentinal, the Colorado West Regional Mental Health Center received a visit from Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter recently, as a part of her travels around the state in support of behavioral health and healthcare integration.  The First Lady’s visit to the area also included visits to the Oasis Clubhouse and Marillac Health Clinic.  At both of those sites she emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to healthcare delivery and the need to support vulnerable populations through important community programs.

Click here to read the full article written by Amy Hamilton.

"Paul Siska, Adams County Undersheriff, has been named 2009 Outstanding Board Member of the Year by Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CHBC).  Siska has been active on Community Reach Center’s Systems Board for ten years, including a two-year term as Board President.  His steadfast efforts to improve access to mental health services for criminal offenders and reduce stigma associated with mental illness are extensive.  He chairs the Metro Area County Commissioners Mentally Ill Inmates Task Force, and represents law enforcement on Colorado’s Legislative Oversight Committee and Advisory Task Force, to study treatment of persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system." 

Click here to read the entire Press Release 

Kelly Devers and Robert Berenson of the Urban Institute have completed a policy brief supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examining Accountable Care Organizations in the United States.  Critical questions still exist about how ACOs should be structured, but their approach to addressing coordination of care issues and improving fragmented health care delivery systems is earning the attention of policymakers. 

Click here to read the complete study

The Mental Health Center of Denver recently received several awards for innovative treatment, organizational efficiency and environmental leadership.  Congratulations MHCD on the much deserved recognition!

The Mental Heatlh Center of Denver has been awarded: 

Dr. Barbara Ryan, Executive Director of the Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties, recently had this piece published in the Boulder Daily Camera emphasizing the growing importance of supporting community mental health and other safety net services, as well as praising Governor Bill Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter for their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Colorado. 

Click here to read more  

This article in the Boulder Daily Camera discusses the surge in the number of people seeking mental health services from the Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties.  Increases like this are being seen statewide and are stretching community safety net providers thin as economic challenges persist and funding dwindles. 

Click here to read the entire article written by Laura Snider.