Access to quality, affordable and convenient behavioral health care was one of the most prominent themes heard throughout the state on the #HeathiestCO Statewide Listening Tour. In addition, The Colorado Health Foundation heard about the lack of behavioral health providers across the state; high rates of suicide; high rates of opioid and heroin use and overdose; toxic stress resulting from poverty; and adverse childhood experiences.

The foundation is offering one-time funding to support organizations that aim to improve Colorado’s behavioral health – inclusive of both mental health and substance use – and outcomes through programs or projects that include:

• Creative, innovative and/or culturally responsive ways of increasing awareness about behavioral health, building communities of support and promoting life and wellness skills
• Promising practices for behavioral health outreach, education and training for behavioral health and non-behavioral health providers (e.g. librarians, teachers, etc.)
• New organizational practices, processes or procedures to improve collaboration, cultural responsiveness, recovery, efficiencies or revenue streams within behavioral health
• Programs that expand culturally responsive, behavioral health access to Colorado’s immigrant and refugee communities