Overview
The Social Work Consortium meeting discussed the approval of bylaws amendments, with suggestions to clarify election cycles and include ADA accommodations. Jerry Ortiz y Pino provided an update on SB3, focusing on statewide behavioral health planning, including a steering committee and regional meetings. The committee is addressing workforce issues, particularly the role of certified peer counselors. The meeting also covered the development of a new website, emphasizing ADA compliance. Ellen Costilla highlighted upcoming public input meetings on a behavioral health Medicaid waiver. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
Action Items
- Revise the bylaws to incorporate the suggestions made during the meeting, including language around elections, removal from office, and ADA accommodations.
- Review the website development progress and ensure ADA compliance.
- Share the information about the upcoming public input meetings on the Medicaid behavioral health waiver proposal.
- Reach out to the Assistant Secretary Trujillo in Higher Ed to discuss the behavioral health workforce development efforts.
Outline
Bylaws Amendments and Initial Introductions
- Eleanor Chavez calls the meeting to order, outlining the agenda: approval of the agenda, introductions, bylaws vote, SB3 update, committee reports, and school reports.
Introduction of New Members and Bylaws Discussion
- Eleanor Chavez asks for introductions from new members; Kasandra Gandara introduces herself.
- Kasandra Gandara requests more time to review the bylaws, specifically the mission statement.
- Jamii Corley clarifies the documents posted: old bylaws, new bylaws, and the draft revised version.
- Karen Canaday suggests specifying even or odd years for officer elections for clarity.
- Kaity Ellis and other members discuss the need for clear language on ADA accommodations and informed consent in the bylaws.
Tabling the Bylaws Amendments
- Alvin motions to table the bylaws amendments, emphasizing the three-month process and the need for further refinement.
- Kaity Ellis seconds the motion and offers to help formulate the ADA language.
- Eleanor Chavez agrees to table the amendments and revise them for the next meeting.
- The group discusses the importance of informed consent and ADA compliance in the bylaws.
SB3 Update and Planning Efforts
- Jerry Ortiz y Pino provides an update on SB3, focusing on statewide planning for behavioral health expansion and the creation of a Behavioral Health Trust Fund.
- The steering committee includes representatives from the Health Care Authority, Administrative Office of the Courts, and community members.
- The committee is working on a framework for the plan, including five super regions and 13 judicial districts.
- Jerry Ortiz y Pino discusses the challenges of integrating Medicaid spending with the state’s behavioral health efforts.
Questions and Concerns on SB3 Update
- Kasandra Gandara asks about the potential impact of Medicaid cuts on the planning efforts.
- Trinidad Arguello inquires about the role of local collaboratives in the new restructuring.
- Ali Sillas-Future Focused Education asks about the logistics of coordination and point of contact in the regions.
- Jerry Ortiz y Pino explains the need for governmental entities to lead in each region and the role of local
Workforce Issues and Higher Education Involvement
- Alvin raises concerns about workforce issues and the need for a Colorado model for building a behavioral health workforce.
- Alvin also raised a concern about the need for more Social Workers in Behavioral Health and reported that Asst. Sec. Trujillo said HED was looking at the Colorado Behavioral Health workforce model.
- Jerry Ortiz y Pino mentions the importance of certified peer counselors and the need to address professional-level staffing.
- Eleanor Chavez and Alvin discuss the involvement of higher education institutions in addressing workforce needs.
- The group acknowledges the challenges of getting higher education to act on requests for behavioral health education.
Website Development and ADA Compliance
- Jamii Corley and Pamela discuss the development of a new website for the consortium, focusing on branding and social media integration.
- Kaity Ellis emphasizes the importance of ADA compliance for the website, offering to review it for accessibility.
- Eli Fresquez expresses willingness to assist with ADA compliance.
- The group agrees to ensure the website meets ADA requirements and to involve people with disabilities in the review process.
Public Input Meetings on Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver
- Ellen Costilla announces public input meetings on the proposal for a behavioral health Medicaid waiver.
- The meetings aim to gather input from behavioral health service providers and individuals with lived experiences.
- The waiver would support people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and brain injury.
- Ellen Costilla provides information on how to join the meetings and encourages participation.
Conclusion and Adjournment
- Eleanor Chavez acknowledges the need to reschedule some discussions due to the LFC meeting.
- The group agrees to catch up on the missed topics at the next meeting.
- Eleanor Chavez calls for a motion to adjourn, which is seconded by Ellen Costilla.
- The meeting is adjourned, and participants are thanked for their contributions.