DENVER, CO (January 17, 2024) - The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Erin Wester as the Deputy Commissioner of Systems and Programs. In this role, Erin will help BHA operationalize its major reform efforts aimed at strengthening Colorado's behavioral healthcare system.
Erin brings a wealth of experience and an innovative approach rooted in BHA's purpose to ensure that all people in Colorado experience whole-person health.
"The need for quality mental health and substance use care has never been greater in our state. Having spent 30 years in Colorado, I feel deeply connected to this community and am committed to supporting BHA in executing its mission to improve access to affordable behavioral health care in Colorado," said Erin Wester, Deputy Commissioner of Systems and Programs at BHA.
In her new position, Erin will provide direct oversight of the regulatory, contract monitoring, programmatic, technology, and analytic functions of BHA. This includes leadership over the Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health Analytics, Epidemiology, and Evaluations (BHAEE), Statewide Programs, and Quality and Standards teams. Erin will be a member of the senior leadership team.
“With a background in working within and across behavioral health system operations, I am confident in Erin’s ability to lead bold initiatives that result in systemic change for all people in Colorado. She is the right person at the right time for Colorado,” said Michelle Barnes, Interim Commissioner at BHA.
Erin comes to BHA after an impressive 13-year tenure at Jefferson Center for Mental Health, where she managed contracting, quality, compliance, and operations for a community mental health center. Her journey began as a family services clinician, allowing her to build a strong foundation and passion for serving people in Colorado. Transitioning from direct client care, Erin took on operational roles, utilizing her clinical and business knowledge.
Erin holds a master's degree in healthcare administration from Colorado State University Global, an M.S. in marriage and family therapy from Seattle Pacific University, and a B.S. in human development and family studies.
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About the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is the state administration responsible for ensuring all people in Colorado have access to quality mental health and substance use disorder services, regardless of where they live, or ability to pay. As a regulatory body, BHA brings together community groups and governmental agencies to create a behavioral health system for all people in Colorado that is easy to access, and offers high-quality care that considers the whole person and their needs. Find us online at https://bha.colorado.gov/ or follow us on social media at @BHAConnect.