By The Rocky Mountain Voice
Appropriated by Senate Bill 22-196, a $300,000 grant from the State of Colorado has allowed Mesa County Behavioral Health to collaborate with Mind Springs Health to enhance access to mental health care in Western Colorado.
The grant focuses on early intervention and prevention in the criminal justice system, a Mesa County press release reads. It targets at-risk adults, aiming to stabilize and support them through improved intervention strategies.
“We are grateful for the support of the 196 Grant, which enables us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, providing critical behavioral health services to those in need,” said Lisa Mills, Mesa County’s behavioral health director. “Our contract with Mind Springs represents our ongoing commitment to enhancing access to behavioral and mental health services.”
Mind Springs Health contractually joins the Multi-Agency Collaboration (MAC), which serves as the community’s single entry point for case management. MAC will review referrals and assign the level of service and appropriate provider. All referrals will be reviewed, discussed and assigned by MAC team leadership, which includes Mesa County Behavioral Health and contractor supervisors with each contracted agency, the release reads.
The collaboration is designed to enhance the quality of life, guiding participants toward long-term recovery through Targeted Case Management (TCM) services.
Services are designed to prevent homelessness and incarceration, divert individuals from unnecessary inpatient emergency room use and institutional levels of care, and increase community stability and tenure through engagement in behavioral health treatment and support services, the release reads.
Adult services will include comprehensive assessments to determine individual strengths and service needs; development of an individualized, person-centered plan of care with the individual and with informed consent, their family and significant others; connection to community resources; assistance in securing entitlements and benefits; connection to behavioral and somatic health care; assistance in developing social support systems; monitor engagement in services and support; and advocacy on behalf of the individual.
The contract is designed to create a cohesive system of care that prioritizes mental health as a key component of public safety and community well-being with referrals from various community partners, including local hospitals, law enforcement, the City of Grand Junction Fire, the Mesa County Probation Department, Criminal Justice Services and the Mesa County Detention Facility.