An Innovative Model for Integrated Care
A Guide for Community Mental Health Centers Interested in Adopting Integrated Care
Transforming care. Improving lives.
The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) was a governor's office initiative with a bold vision of transforming the state's healthcare landscape by lowering costs, improving access to care, and enhancing population health. Central to transforming the Colorado health system is the integration of behavioral health and primary care. The development of the model was based on evidence which emphasizes a strong correlation between the treatment of physical health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders while also recognizing the need to reduce unnecessary health care costs and address the ever-increasing burden of chronic disease.
About the Report
Beginning in 2015 and concluded in July of 2019, The Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) partnered with the Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) Office to facilitate and manage the Bi-Directional Integration Demonstration and Practice-Based Research Pilot Program. Through this program, four community mental health centers (CMHCs) were selected to begin piloting models of bi-directional integrated care.
This report includes a highlight of the program approach, results achieved by the CMHCs, and a summary of best practice guidelines designed to help other organizations implement similar programs.
Our Partners
Where Innovation and Collaboration
Converge to Make a Difference
Community Reach Center serves the area of Adams County and created the Commerce City Health Home in partnership with Salud Family Health Centers (Salud) with a primary focus on serving adults with serious mental illness (SMI).
Jefferson Center for Mental Health serves the area of Jefferson, Gilpin, and Clear Creek counties and is partnered with Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN) for their SIM clinic. The Jefferson Plaza Family Health Home, located in Lakewood, Colorado, is a facility primarily serving children and families.
Mental Health Partners serves Boulder and Broomfield counties and partnered with Clinica Family Health Services and Dental Aid for their SIM program. Their clinic is the Boulder Integrated Health Home located at the Ryan Wellness Center in Boulder with a primary patient emphasis on adults with serious mental illness.
Southeast Health Group (SHG) serves clients in six counties of southeastern Colorado. Rather than partnering with a federally qualified health center (FQHC), Southeast Health Group hired in-house primary care providers to integrate services for adults with serious mental illness at four clinic site locations: Lamar, La Junta, Las Animas, and Rocky Ford.