Press Release
Colorado Behavioral Health Task Force recruiting begins
DENVER (April 19, 2019) — A newly created task force, intended to shape the future of behavioral health services and access in Colorado, is seeking applicants dedicated to creating a system that emphasizes serving Coloradans in their own communities.
Gov. Jared Polis and CDHS launch Child Abuse Prevention Month
DENVER (April 2, 2019) — Gov. Jared Polis and Michelle Barnes, Executive Director of Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), joined community partners, county leaders and child advocates to launch Child Abuse Prevention Month at an event at the State Capitol today. The occasion reinforced the importance of individuals and communities working together to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
Colorado receives $5 million to enhance mental health services for homeless youth
DENVER (April 9, 2019) — The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) has been awarded the Healthy Transitions: Improving Life Trajectories for Youth and Young Adults with Serious Mental Illness grant totaling $5 million over five years. The project is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
CDHS Announces New Contracts for Colorado Crisis Services
DENVER (March 26, 2019) — The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health has announced new contractors for Colorado Crisis Services regions statewide and the crisis line, as well as planned improvements to the crisis system. The comprehensive statewide behavioral health crisis care system for individuals, families and communities was created in response to the Aurora theater shootings in July 2012 and has provided more than half a million services to Coloradans.
Agreement aims to expand community behavioral health services and shorten wait times
DENVER (March 15, 2019) — The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) has reached an agreement that resolves an eight-year-old federal lawsuit over wait times for court-ordered competency services by expanding community-based services, providing treatment for people in jail waiting for services, and expediting inpatient services for Coloradans experiencing a serious mental health episode.
Commission to hold public meetings about rural sign language interpreting services
DENVER (March 1, 2019) — The Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind (CCDHHDB) is holding informational meetings this month in Steamboat Springs and Frisco to let rural Coloradans know about a new pilot program that will provide sign language interpreting services outside the Front Range.
Colorado selected as a partner site for federal grant
DENVER (Feb. 21, 2019) — The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is one of eight sites across the nation selected to partner with the National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (NTDC). CDHS will partner with the NTDC team to develop and evaluate a state-of-the-art foster and adoptive parent training program to include intensive preparation and on-going development components that reflect the capacities required of successful foster and adoptive parents.
Gov. Polis appoints Michelle Barnes as executive director of CDHS
DENVER (Feb. 8, 2019) - Gov.