Date: 09/21/2015
Final
Discussion of Future Activities of the Advisory Task Force
TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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02:48 PM -- Discussion of Future Activities of the Advisory Task Force
Camille Harding, Task Force Concerning the Treatment of Persons with Mental Illness in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems (MICJS) Task Force Co-chair and representing the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, introduced herself. She provided the following four handouts to the committee: MICJS Legislative Oversight Committee Meeting Responses from Tuesday, August 18 (Attachment G), Table of Preferred Formulary Psychotropic Medications (Attachment H), MICJS Jail Recidivism and Behavioral Health Services Focus Group Questionnaire (Attachment I), and The Colorado Opportunity Project Life Stages diagram (Attachment J). She reviewed information related to the preferred formulary psychotropic medications and medication consistency efforts.
15MICJS0921AttachG.pdf 
15MICJS0921AttachH.pdf
15MICJS0921AttachI.pdf 
15MICJS0921AttachJ.pdf
02:51 PM
Ms. Harding discussed recidivism data from the Department of Corrections, the Division of Youth Corrections in the Department of Human Services, and jails. Senator Martinez Humenik commented on the gaps in available data on recidivism. Ms. Harding discussed the MICJS Jail Recidivism and Behavioral Health Services Focus Groups that will be conducted in October in partnership with the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization. Ms. Harding answered questions about information sharing between various agencies. Senator Martinez Humenik commented on information sharing between jurisdictions and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Ms. Harding referenced Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations and discussed the differing interpretations of those regulations.
03:00 PM
Ms. Harding outlined the strategies for improving access to mental health and addiction treatment services in rural parts of the state. She discussed the Colorado Opportunity Project and the life stages diagram in regards to outcome measures and tracking youth who enter the juvenile justice system. Ms. Harding stated that the Department of Public Safety is still waiting to find out if it has received the Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to develop a statewide interagency strategic plan for a justice and health information exchange infrastructure, as was discussed at the August 18, 2015, MICJS Legislative Oversight Committee meeting. She said that even if the department does not receive the grant a technical assistance request will be submitted to the Bureau of Justice Assistance to seek funds for strategic planning regarding the project. She outlined the counties that have jails that provide jail based behavioral health services. Ms. Harding answered questions about how law enforcement agencies address the mental health needs of prisoners if the agency does not provide jail based behavioral health services.
03:08 PM
Ms. Harding discussed the availability of data regarding juvenile competency evaluations and restoration services. She stated that a work group of the MICJS Task Force met on August 28, 2015, and determined that the task force would like to study the availability of restoration services in the community. There was discussion about the possibility of addressing juvenile competency through legislation. Senator Martinez Humenik commented on the ability of the task force to bring forth legislation in the coming years. Senator Newell shared her experience serving on the committee. Senator Newell discussed the efforts by the task force to address juvenile competency and housing issues. Senator Martinez Humenik expressed the need to make the task force more efficient. Ms. Harding commented on providing better reporting to the committee when issues are addressed in a nonlegislative manner.
03:24 PM
Ms. Harding stated that she is still working on collecting additional data requested by the committee regarding the number of people who are released from the criminal justice system with mental illness who qualify for disability benefits, and how many are veterans. She discussed the MICJS Task Force retreat scheduled for September 25, 2015. Discussion occurred about studying the barriers to workers' compensation for law enforcement officers, corrections employees, and other first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Ms. Harding again referenced the MICJS Jail Recidivism and Behavioral Health Services Focus Group Questionnaire that will be used in focus groups being conducted in October and said the report resulting from the focus groups should be available in November.
03:29 PM
In response to a question, Ms. Harding discussed the fragmentation of data and providing services across state agencies. Senator Martinez Humenik thanked the MICJS Task Force for their work. She suggested the task force focus on a few key priorities. Senator Martinez Humenik encouraged the committee members to attend the MICJS Task Force retreat on September 25, 2015. Ms. Harding discussed the importance of data sharing between systems and the ability to reimburse certain programs through Medicaid for providing medically necessary services. Senator Martinez Humenik discussed the number of providers for restoration services.