"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 

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. 

This article in the Pueblo Chieftain by John Norton recaps the messages delivered at the recent Annual Meeting of the Spanish Peaks Mental Health Center by several champions for mental health in Colorado.  Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter, George DelGrosso, Executive Director of CBHC, and Gil Sanchez, President of Spanish Peaks Mental Health Center, all delivered a consistent message emphasizing the importance of supporting behavioral health treatment programs, particularly in difficult economic times, and the need to look in to the future with hope and determination to pursue a variety of opportunities to improve the health of the citizens of Colorado. 

To read the full article, click here. 

"In an effort to meet the changing and growing needs of Larimer County‟s most vulnerable children, Larimer Center for Mental Health (LCMH) has chosen to transition the services provided at the Namaqua Center of Loveland from residential to home-based, intensive treatment programs. This transition will allow Namaqua Center to serve nearly ten times the number of children it currently serves." 

 Click here to read the press release highlighting recent changes to the Namaqua Center and to learn how the Center will continue to serve vulnerable kids in Larimer County. 

Lawmakers including Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins; Rep. B. J. Nikkel, R-Loveland; Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins; Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud; Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland; Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins; and Republican County Commissioner Kathay Rennels, recently heard mental health concerns at the annual Northern Colorado Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Larimer Center for Mental Health and Foothills Gateway.  The event was a great opportunity for the policy makers to connect with their local consituency and learn about the issues facing vulnerable populations in their areas.  Lawmakers expressed commitment to supporting mental health and substance abuse services, while noting that tight fiscal constraints will be a continued challenge for the State budget. 

Click here to read more in the Northern Colorado Business Report.   

North Range Behavioral Health will administer a $2 million grant received from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to combat underage and youth binge drinking in Weld County.  Colorado is one of only four states to receive the grant and Weld County will receive about $400,000 annually over the next five years. 

Click here to read more in a Greeley Tribune article by Nate Miller.

A new, online tool, known as the Backseat Budgeter, has been developed by the Colorado State University’s  Bighorn Leadership Development Program to allow the general public an opportunity to try their hand at balancing a simulated State budget.  The program presents a budget deficit similar to that currently facing Colorado, challenging the user to make the necessary adjustments to realize fiscal stability.  The tool incorporates numerous Constitutional restrictions such as limiting the General Assembly’s ability to increase revenues through TABOR, and the mandated increases to spending on k-12 education. 

To read about the tool, click here.

To use the Backseat Budgeter, Click here. 

North Range Behavioral Health has dedicated its Crisis Stabilization Services Center to long time champion of integrated services for those with both mental health substance abuse disorders, Merle Evans.  Mr. Evens passed away two and a half years ago, but his legacy of selfless generosity and respect for everyone will live on at the new North Range facility. 

Click here to read more about the life of Merle Evans and learn about the new Crisis Stabilization Service Center.