Colorado's Trauma Informed System of Care, or COACT Colorado, is supported by a cooperative agreement between the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), administered by the Behavioral Health Administration in partnership with the Office of Children, Youth, and Families, and other local partners. The system of care in Colorado builds on existing infrastructure such as the Collaborative Management Program (HB 04-1451). All child and youth serving agencies are involved, including the public mental health system, child welfare, juvenile justice, and education.
A statewide goal for the system of care is to develop a sustainable infrastructure to coordinate and fund services for families of children and youth with complex needs. Colorado is now piloting its first care management entity (CME) in El Paso County. A CME is a centralized organization that blends funding, organizes services and supports, and serves as a hub of accountability across agencies.
COACT Colorado is currently supporting 15 Communities of Excellence in a total of 17 counties throughout the state. Each Community of Excellence receives funding to support wraparound facilitators, family advocates, infrastructure development, and flexible funding services for families. All Communities of Excellence receive technical assistance in family engagement, youth engagement, cultural competency, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) responsiveness. Cross-system trainings are also available on other topics such as trauma informed care and serving youth with both mental health and substance abuse disorders.
To learn more about programs and services visit the COACT Colorado website here.
Contact
Crystal Soto, Project Director
Behavioral Health Administration
crystal.soto@state.co.us