Congressman Crow Delivers Over $1.2 Million in CO-6 Community Project Funding

AURORA & CASTLE ROCK — Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) delivered over $1.2 million in community project funding that he helped secure to address the mental health needs of Colorado’s 6th District. The funding includes $668,313 to Children’s Hospital Colorado for programs to address the multilingual needs of Colorado’s youth receiving mental health care as well as $629,970 to Douglas County for their Douglas Enhanced Model of Services to expand access to ongoing, mental and behavioral health treatment. 

These are two of the 15 community projects Congressman Crow secured funding for through the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations process to directly benefit Colorado’s 6th Congressional District.

"Mental health is foundational to a happy and fulfilling life. As a Dad, I want my kids to have access to any mental health support they might need, and as a Coloradan, I want every family to have the same access,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’ve partnered with these incredible organizations to deliver much-needed funding to develop a youth-focused mental health workforce and expand access to multilingual services to support our diverse community. If any of our young people are in need, I want them to know they have someone to call.” 

The Children’s Hospital Colorado Pathway Program and Bilingual Incentives Program 

Currently, Colorado lacks an adequate number of youth mental health workers able to meet the needs of our diverse community. In Aurora and the broader Denver metro area, where families speak over 160 languages, kids without fluency in English often face prolonged wait times for mental health consultations and continued treatment.

The funding Crow requested and secured will help Children’s Hospital Colorado address the growing need by establishing two programs in partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

1. The Pathway Program will provide unlicensed psychotherapists with the professional supervision and training required for them to obtain a license; and  

2. The Bilingual Incentive Program will provide a stipend for mental health providers and other staff to attain a clinical level of fluency in a second language.

These programs will enhance access to mental health care and improve linguistic responsiveness in mental health services for children and youth in the district.

At Children’s Hospital Colorado, Crow was joined by leadership of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute, the Behavioral Health Care Program, leadership of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team at the hospital, and mental health providers.

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Rep. Crow with leaders of Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Mental Health Institute and behavioral health programs, and providers involved in the Pathway and Bilingual Incentives Programs.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Jason Crow

“Amid an ongoing youth mental health crisis, Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Pediatric Mental Health Institute is proud to advance a youth and family-centered system of mental health care with collaborative partners, ensuring equitable access to high-quality, evidence-based care and prevention. As our state continues to design and build an integrated system of care for kids and families, a robust mental health workforce is essential. We are grateful for these federal investments that will enable us to continue to grow and retain the next generation of mental health professionals who can strengthen patient care in the years to come,” said Sandra Fritsch, MD, Medical Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Mental Health Institute. 

The Douglas County Enhanced Model of Services Project

Compounding the youth mental health crisis, behavioral health services for children and adolescents exceeds the capacity of services throughout Colorado. According to the Colorado Health Institute, suicide is now the leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24. 

In partnership with Douglas County, Crow advocated for and secured funding for their Enhanced Model of Services to meet the increased demand for behavioral health services – from acute treatment for youth in crisis to ongoing mental health care for families. With the funding, Douglas County will provide: 

• A new Walk-In Crisis Center (WIC) for all ages, and a 16-bed Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) for children and adolescents in partnership with AllHealth Network; 

• Community-based intensive in-home and outpatient services, including resiliency development and peer support programming;

• Technology enhancements to coordinate care and strengthen links to community resources; and  

• A continuum of care covering direct coordination with Co-Responders, safe and secure transportation to the WIC/CSU, wrap-around services, partnership with schools and child welfare, and collaboration with the justice system.

This project will offer reliable follow-up support to keep youth and families engaged in treatment following a crisis, help ease the strain on the emergency system, and increase access to care for vulnerable populations. 

During a press conference at the Douglas Board of County Commissioners Chambers, Crow was joined by Douglas County Commissioners and local mental health partners. 

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Rep. Crow with Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon - District 1, George Teal - District II, Lora Thomas - District III, and community partners of the Enhanced Model Services project.

Photo courtesy of Douglas County

“About a decade ago, we created the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative – a partnership that, today, includes more than 40 entities – all working together to tackle the mental and behavioral health needs of Douglas County,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon, Board Chair. “This new federal funding will enhance the work of our Mental Health Initiative and save even more lives.”