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Leadership and structure

Leadership team

Last updated June 30, 2025

Dannette R. Smith

Dannette R. Smith, Commissioner

Biography

Commissioner Smith has spent 30 years serving families, children, the aging population, and people experiencing homelessness. She’s led human services departments across the country, most recently serving nearly five years as the Chief Executive Officer at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services where she led five divisions: Behavioral Health, Children and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid & Long-Term Care, and Public Health.

During her tenure in Nebraska, Smith convened a statewide behavioral health task force; focused on opportunities to improve behavioral health services for adults and children, as well as initiated the exploration of Medicaid utilization as a payer for behavioral health services; and redesigned the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center system to include intensive clinical and therapeutic services in the juvenile justice system. While in Virginia Beach, she collaborated with the Sheriff’s Office to provide enhanced behavioral health services in the jail system and provided strategic oversight in the development of the “First Responders” initiative to provide behavioral health services in the community with the Virginia Beach Police Department as part of their service calls.

The 2023 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), Commissioner Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois Chicago. She’s also completed the Kennedy School of Government, Child Welfare Executive Leadership Program at Harvard.

Kelly Causey headshot

Kelly Causey, Deputy Commissioner

Biography

Kelly Causey joined BHA after seven years as president and CEO of the Colorado Children's Campaign, where she advocated for Colorado’s children, and was responsible for the strategic leadership and advancement of the organization’s mission. Prior to that, she served for 18 years as CEO of Mile High Youth Corps, which employed, educated and trained young adults who served on community-based projects and delivered services in 15 counties.

Kelly holds a Ph.D. in health and behavioral sciences from the University of Colorado Denver and a B.A. in psychology from Scripps College. She has been in Colorado for almost 30 years, and in her free time she can be found at a CU game or the theater.

Les Becker, Deputy Commissioner of Administration

Les Becker, Deputy Commissioner of Administration

Biography

Les joins the Behavioral Health Administration from the Washington State Department of Health where he has served as Chief of Innovation and Technology since 202. Les has led efforts in data, informatics, health technology services and Innovation and project management.

While serving in Washington, Les also provided strategic consultation on IT and data strategy implementation including Washington State’s 988 systems. And, prior to his role in Washington, he served as the Deputy Director of Harris County Public Health in Texas. With over 18 years of public service leadership, he holds a B.A. in Management and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from LeTourneau University.

Structure

The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is designed to be the single entity responsible for creating a coordinated, cohesive, and effective behavioral health system in the state of Colorado. BHA is led by a Cabinet Level Commissioner with six internal divisions. BHA is a model of networked government, grounded in a people-first approach. The BHA Advisory Council (BHAAAC) is a central part of the BHA governance model and brings the voice of individuals, family members, providers, local government, and other sectors and subject matter experts to inform BHA. BHA also works hand in hand with the Cabinet to ensure a seamless and connected approach to behavioral health in Colorado.

BHA officially launched July 1, 2022. Per legislation, BHA has two years to build full functional capacity and operations. BHA is currently operating within the Colorado Department of Human Services until a permanent location is determined by the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2024. Ultimately, BHA will have approximately 180 staff across its six divisions. The divisions will administer statewide behavioral health programs such as crisis and care coordination as well as programs funded through the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other state funds. BHA divisions will also be responsible for cross-agency and cross-sector strategic planning and support to create a coordinated behavioral health system.

Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASO) and Colorado LIFTS

As outlined in Colorado ​House Bill 22-1278, BHA will consolidate the Administrative Services Organizations (ASO) and Managed Service Organizations (MSO) structure into regional intermediaries that are responsible for the provider network of mental health, substance use and crisis services, and for care coordination. Behavioral Health Administration Service Organizations (BHASOs) provide a new way for uninsured and underinsured people in Colorado to get behavioral health services and care coordination. People of Colorado can connect to a BHASOs provider by visiting the OwnPath Care Directory and Colorado LIFTS care navigation. This website provides access to a statewide connected network of mental health, substance use, and crisis support services.