Improve Crisis & Acute Services | Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

The Need

Crisis situations can lead individuals who reside in the community to seek treatment or care in a hospital or institutional setting. Unfortunately, these emergency situations can often be the impetus for long-term placement in these settings. If preventive services were expanded, crisis response improved, and Colorado HCBS Spending Plan transitions strengthened, individuals may be able to, instead, return to their homes and communities.

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Initiative 2.01 - Behavioral Health Transition Support Grants to Prevent Institutionalization

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Infographic titled "Behavioral Health Transition Support Grants" from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It addresses the community need for individuals with severe behavioral health needs and a history of institutionalization to receive support when transitioning back into the community. The “Impact” section states that $14 million in grants were awarded to 9 local and county organizations, providing services to over 4,000 Medicaid members. Services included crisis intervention, transportation support, clinical and health worker training, mobile counseling, and housing assistance. A quote from a grantee reads, “We have successfully transitioned 22 clients into permanent and stable housing.” A yellow sidebar highlights the “Improve Crisis and Acute Services” investment category, noting that $11 million was allocated to remove barriers to inpatient care and promote community transitions. The “Going Forward” section affirms continued support for these services and future network capacity building under the behavioral health safety net reform. Bottom icons denote “Healthcare Access & Quality” and “Social & Community Context.”

Initiative 2.02 - Expand Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Teams

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Infographic titled "Expand Behavioral Health Crisis Teams" from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, supported by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It highlights Colorado’s need to expand alternative emergency response methods for behavioral health crises—such as mobile crisis teams—as an alternative to law enforcement or EMS. Under “Impact,” it details that over $1.7 million was granted to 19 mental health centers, clinics, and community providers through a partnership with the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Funds were used to expand Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) staff, purchase equipment (e.g., tablets), and offer 24/7 clinician support. An illustration shows a pink mobile unit with a provider helping an individual in a park setting. The “Going Forward” section confirms that the infrastructure is in place to authorize universal mobile crisis benefits for Medicaid members. A yellow sidebar designates the project under the “Improve Crisis and Acute Services” category, noting an $11 million investment to remove care barriers and support transitions back into the community. A bottom icon emphasizes “Healthcare Access & Quality.”

Initiative 2.03 - Institute for Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion, Risk Mitigation Policy

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Infographic titled "Institute for Mental Disease Exclusion, Risk Mitigation Policy" from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It outlines the challenge that Health First Colorado members with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) admitted to an Institute for Mental Disease (IMD) were only eligible for 15 days of inpatient psychiatric care—often not enough to ensure safe discharge. The “Impact” section describes HCPF’s research on national practices, stakeholder engagement, and policy development to support members during crises and improve transitions back into the community. The “Going Forward” section announces that beginning July 1, 2025, medical practitioners may approve IMD stays of up to 60 days. A yellow sidebar classifies the project under “Improve Crisis and Acute Services,” noting $11 million invested in removing care access barriers and supporting community reintegration. A graphic of hands holding a blooming flower symbolizes care and recovery. Bottom section features the ARPA citation.