April 22, 2021: On April 20, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 21-1130 into law. The bi-partisan bill expands the Transition Specialist Program (TSP), which facilitates the transition of children and adults from various behavioral health and substance use treatment settings to community living. HB 21-1130 sponsors included Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Mary Bradfield and Senators Chris Kolker and Bob Gardner.
"Expanding the transition services program...is a lifegiving opportunity for people who are coming out of treatment," said Rep. Jenet during the signing ceremony. "Many times you are coming out of treatment and you just don't know where to go and what to do. This program is the answer to that question."
Transition specialists and peer bridgers provide comprehensive, person-centered support to help individuals and families identify needs, define goals and access resources. The bill expands the definition of "high-risk individual" to allow for more individuals to access services and allows for referrals from facilities such as acute treatment facilities, crisis stabilization facilities and emergency departments, in addition to hospitals and withdrawal management facilities. By expanding who is eligible to receive services and who can refer individuals to the TSP, additional Coloradans will be able to receive behavioral health services in their communities instead of a 24/7 treatment setting.
Read the bill to learn more.