Mental Health Colorado

Programs and community resources: the organization has played a key role in operationalizing several direct-service initiatives in the community including the safer program, which provides temporary housing and wrap- around services for individuals who are at the nexus of homelessness, Mental Health issues, and law enforcement contact. The pathways home program also utilizes peer mentoring to transition individuals from the jail setting to life after release. The organization continues to support its toolkits in support of state-wide Mental Health.

Safer fiscal sponsorship. Mental Health Colorado serves as the fiscal sponsor for safer, a separate legal entity formed in Colorado. Safer provides short-term housing in a hostel setting with goals of Health stabilization, basic resource access assistance, employment assistance, and next-step housing for unhoused individuals experiencing Mental Health and/or substance use concerns at risk of or experiencing justice system involvement.

Public policy and strategic initiatives: the organization presses insurers and regulators to comply with state and federal law - including the guarantee of Mental Health as an essential benefit, the adequacy of provider networks, and the enforcement of Mental Health parity. The organization also champions measures to integrate Mental Health care into the primary care system; to address the shortage of Mental Health professionals, especially in rural Colorado; and to disentangle Mental Health and criminal justice.