The Forensic Community Based Services (FCBS) team of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is working hard to ensure no Coloradan is left behind during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The FCBS team assists persons found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) and who are transitioning from an inpatient hospital setting into a community-based outpatient setting. With proper treatment, NGRI acquittees have the opportunity for continued independence, recovery and community reintegration yet are among the most vulnerable clients in the state, said FCBS director Bill Martinez.
'Our team's compassion and dedication has been the safety net for so many clients who have the added burden of mental illness during this health care crisis," he said.
Martinez said his staff has gone above and beyond for clients, especially those whose regular treatment was disrupted by service modifications. The FCBS team of case managers, conditional release coordinators and psychiatric providers are coaching clients through anxiety and uncertainty, lending support to those in recovery and connecting clients with available resources.
Some staff members, Martinez said, followed strict social distancing measures to visit clients who have been struggling and are at risk of decompensating. Their quick response allowed clients to get routed to higher levels of care.
"The FCBS team has truly risen up in this time of great need and demonstrated that it is the 'gem of CDHS'" said Martinez.
For more information on FCBS, visit the OBH website.