ADE590E91B55A7D8872584F900652A0F Hearing Summary

Representative McCluskie, sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1006 and distributed two handouts (Attachments D and E). 

This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop and implement a statewide voluntary program of early childhood mental health consultation by July 1, 2022.  The program is intended to increase the number of qualified mental health consultants supporting professionals who work with young children and to give guidance and support to families, caregivers, and providers in addressing the social-emotional developmental needs of children through age eight.  In developing the program, the DHS must create:

•    a model of consultation that includes qualifications, outcome, and job expectations for mental health consultants, and guidance on ratios between consultants and the setting they support by July 1, 2021;

•    a professional development plan to support mental health consultants in meeting expectations by July 1, 2021;

•    a certification process for mental health consultants by July 1, 2022; and

•    a data collection and information system to analyze implementation and outcomes of the program by July 1, 2022.

The bill also requires the DHS to present to the General Assembly on the number of available and needed mental health consultants and any adjustments needed to meet the consultants' targeted caseload.  Finally, the bill requires the DHS and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to explore funding options for the program and report their findings to the Joint Budget Committee by January 1, 2022. 

Representative Sirota, sponsor, discussed the provisions of the bill.

The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Committee questions to the sponsors continued.

Dr. Sarah Davidon, Mental Health Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.

Dr. Bruno Anthony, Children's Hospital Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill.

Dr. Jose Silva, Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health, spoke in favor of the bill.

Dr. Silva, Dr. Anthony, and Dr. Davidon responded to questions from the committee.

Michelle Dalbotton, Step by Step, spoke in favor of the bill.

Rachel Schiff, Clayton Early Learning, spoke in favor of the bill.

Jean Cimino, Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health, spoke in favor of the bill.

Ms. Cimino, Ms. Schiff, and Ms. Dalbotton responded to questions from the committee.

Holly Calvert read the testimony of Darlene Jilil, a preschool Director who is opposed to the bill.

Kimberly LeBlanc, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Denice Dirks, Concerned Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Dirks responded to committee questions.

Representatives McCluskie and Sirota distributed and explained amendments L.001 and L.002 to the committee (Attachments F and G).

Committee discussion ensued regarding possible amendments.

Representatives McCluskie and Sirota gave closing remarks on the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.