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Colorado: C

Grading the States 2009 Report Card: Colorado

In 2006, Colorado received a U grade for “unresponsive” because the Division of Mental Health (DMH) did not assign staff to complete the survey. Three years later, transparency has returned, and the state’s mental health care system receives a C grade. It is a baseline to measure future progress. Full narrative (PDF).

Grades by Category Detailed Score Card (PDF)

  1. Health Promotion and Measurement: F 25% of Total Grade
    Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices, emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds by setting.
  2. Financing & Core Treatment/Recovery Services: B 45% of Total Grade
    A variety of financing measures, such as whether Medicaid reimburses providers for all, or part of evidence-based practices; and more.
  3. Consumer & Family Empowerment: C 15% of Total Grade
    Includes measures such as consumer and family access to essential information from the state, promotion of consumer-run programs, and family and peer education and support.
  4. Community Integration and Social Inclusion: D 15% of Total Grade
    Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.

Innovations

  • "Data dashboard" initiative
  • Connection to benefits legislation
  • Expansion of parity legislation

Urgent Needs

  • Crisis services
  • Alternatives to incarceration
  • Interagency health information systems
  • Non-Medicaid mental health services

Additional Information and Resources

Full Narrative (PDF) | Detailed Score Card (PDF) | Full Report | Order Hard Copy

NAMI Colorado: Connect with the NAMI nearest you.

Grading the States Online Discussion: Share your comments, reactions, personal stories, and ideas around NAMI's report on the state of America's health care system for serious mental illness.

Grading the States 2006 Report Card: Colorado

"There is little care available if you have no insurance or Medicaid. Also, most people do not have a clue how to navigate the system."

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