2019 POLICY AND ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO
Healthier Kids Through Public Policy
Here at Children’s Hospital Colorado, advocacy is a core part of our mission. That
means speaking up for patients and families, kids in our community and kids across
the country to ensure each of them has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.
We know the public policy decisions made by our cities, states and federal government can dramatically shape the health of
children, for better or for worse.
For example, in 2018, Children’s Colorado worked with advocacy partners to pass House Bill 1094, a reauthorization
of the successful, 20-year-old Children and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act.
BEFORE AFTER
the passage of
House Bill 1094 the passage of
House Bill 1094
Here’s a look at how passing this bill has the ability to change the trajectory of a child’s life:
Caleb has a severe mental health condition characterized by:
More Colorado children have access to
timely residential or community-based
treatment, thanks to doubled funding
for the Children and Youth Mental
Health Treatment program
Caleb’s parents must choose
between either:
• Profound depression and anxiety
• Physical aggression
• An intellectual disability that co-occurs with his mental
health conditions
When Caleb becomes a threat to himself and others, his parents
take him to Children’s Colorado’s Emergency Department. He’s
admitted for an inpatient stay in the Pediatric Mental Health
Institute at Children’s Colorado.
Caleb is ready for discharge from Children’s Colorado to a
residential facility or to continue mental health treatment in
his community.
Surrender custody
of Caleb so that he
can access services
through Medicaid’s
coverage for foster
children Continue trying to
manage his severe
mental health needs
on their own, even if
professionals advise
it’s unsafe
Caleb’s family would
be split up at a time
when they are in
critical need of support Caleb may continue to
be a threat to himself
or his family and the
entire process is likely
to repeat if Caleb is
readmitted to the
Emergency Department
These results are neither
compassionate nor cost
effective.
The program helps ensure families stay
together
Following treatment, 87% of children
avoid transition into the child welfare or
juvenile justice systems after treatment
$
Cost savings for the state and county
governments
The improved mental health
system helps enable a more
hopeful future for each child
served.
But before he is released from the hospital, Caleb’s parents
realize their private insurance only covers limited residential
mental health services. They can’t afford to pay for residential
services on their own.
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