The package is the largest single-year investment lawmakers have ever put into behavioral health, the report said. Most of the money comes from federal COVID-19 relief funds. Gov. Jared Polis has signed or is expected to sign the package’s constituent bills into law.
Among the package’s bills are measures to:
1. Add capacity for youth and adult mental health patients who need full time residential treatment;
2. Streamline behavioral health administration and increase transparency;
3. Improve services for those in the justice system;
4. Divert people with behavioral health problems into treatment instead of jail;
5. Increase funding for youth, families and schools;
6. Bolster the behavioral health workforce;
7. And provide grants to providers to address gaps in the system.
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
