COLORADO (July 1, 2022) - The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), a new cabinet member-led state agency designed to improve mental health care and substance use treatment in Colorado, launched today with a virtual community event & press conference.
The event was unique, beginning with a meditation and movement session and ending with a “generational Impact” dance party. The event represents the BHA’s values as we build trust in a reimagined system.
“We are showing up and getting personal with the work at hand. This is not just about us building a system that is meaningful, accessible, and trusted. It is about building a system that we would want our own family members to be a part of,” said Dr. Morgan Medlock, Behavioral Health Administration Commissioner.
Event speakers focused on the BHA’S values and plans of action, and introduced the BHA Senior Leadership Team, as well as, the newly appointed members of the Behavioral Health Administration Advisory Council (BHAAC). A recording of the press conference and Q&A session can be found on our YouTube page.
“We stand on the shoulders of amazing leaders who pushed the needle forward inch by inch, and now we finally have the platform to make historic change. With Colorado’s support and trust, we will bring to life the needed solutions that have been in the works for decades,” said Dr. Medlock.
With over one million people in Colorado in need of behavioral health services, we must strengthen our system—from prevention to recovery and so much more. Groundbreaking initiatives being developed by the BHA include the implementation of provider performance dashboards for patients to review prior to service, universal contract provisions for all behavioral health providers to ensure accountability and consistency of practices, and an equitable system ensuring all Colordans have access to quality services, regardless of ability to pay.
The BHA believes all people in Colorado deserve to experience whole-person health, and we envision a world in which behavioral health services in Colorado are accessible, meaningful, and trusted. Therefore we have made it our mission to co-create a people-first behavioral health system that meets the needs of all people in Colorado.
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About the Behavioral Health Administration
The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is a new cabinet member-led agency within the State of Colorado, housed within the Department of Human Services and is designed to be the single entity responsible for driving coordination and collaboration across state agencies to address behavioral health needs. Find us online at https://bha.colorado.gov/ or follow us on social media at @BHAConnect.