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Behavioral Health Administration outlines BOSO consolidation, data priorities and budget requests
Summary
BHA reported organizational realignment into BASO/BOSO administrative service organizations, new data products for bed tracking and provider directories, four strategic priorities focused on access and crisis care, and FY2027 budget requests emphasizing program continuity and administrative reductions.
Danette R. Smith, Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration, told the committee that BHA has reorganized and realigned staff to implement an administrative service organization model and to consolidate mental‑health, substance‑use and crisis networks into a unified set of statewide contractors.
"In the Basel model, these three discrete networks have been consolidated into one network called Colorado LIFS," Commissioner Smith said, describing a centralized point of contact for individuals seeking behavioral‑health services regardless of insurance status. She emphasized goals to expand access, integrate crisis services, improve children and youth upstream care, and streamline behavioral health and criminal justice intersections.
Marquay Green (Technology & Data) described digital tools released or in development including an online provider directory and a client care search to track inpatient and residential bed availability. Green said BHA is rolling out analytics to monitor performance on WIGs such as timeliness of crisis calls and same‑week access to outpatient services.
CFO Monique Morris summarized BHA’s FY2027 budget: a $312 million total budget with half general fund, 25% cash funds and the remainder federal or reappropriated money; BHA proposes administrative reductions and program refinements intended to limit service impacts while preserving core supports. The department also proposed shifting some grant programs to marijuana tax cash funds and to repeal a third‑party contracting requirement for technical assistance tied to treatment capacity work.
Committee members sought details about bed capacity dashboards, overlap with other agencies, and how oversight of recovery residences will be handled; Commissioner Smith said BHA will take a more active direct oversight role and work closely with sister agencies to coordinate services and staffing protocols.
