The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shared new and updated communication resources that may be useful.

In an effort to best organize and make readily available the wide array of health care provider vaccine resources, trainings and materials related to the COVID-19 vaccination program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has created the online Colorado COVID-19 Health Care Provider Vaccine Information Toolkit. The toolkit has a variety of robust elements. Please share!

The Fort Morgan Times published an article on the mental health needs of the agricultural community. This article talks about the stress that farmers and ranchers face and how the suicide rate among those in agricultural production remains high. This is a great resource for Northeast Health Partner's region-specific community.

The Colorado office of Behavioral Health stands in solidarity with people who have family in Ukraine, were born in Ukraine or have been through war. Colorado Crisis Services crisis counselors and peer specialists are available 24/7 to speak with anyone struggling with the events unfolding in Ukraine. Reach out at 844.493.8255. Translation services in more than 200 languages, including Ukrainian and Russian, are available upon request. Visit the Office of Behavioral Health's Find Behavioral Health Help web page to find a provider in your community.

Colorado is busy preparing for the launch of 988, the new, nationwide, three-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. Colorado's call line vendor, Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners (RMCP), is ramping up its hiring of new crisis counselors and peer support positions. Visit RMCP's website to apply. Commissioner Medlock recently explained to USA Today how Colorado is preparing and why new funding is critical for states' ability to meet demand. Note that 988 is expected to be fully operational by July 16, 2022. Coloradans may continue to call 844.493.TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 for 24/7 crisis support from Colorado Crisis Services. Learn more on the State's 988 web page.

Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), a peer-led program that gives members the tools they need to stay healthy after leaving your care to help members reach their goals of mental and physical wellbeing. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s intense, two-day training program empowers your peer counselors to play a critical role in treating clients whose mental health challenges are compounded by conditions like diabetes, heart disease and obesity. They will learn how to identify clients’ strengths, develop a realistic action plan, and help clients create and sustain new health behaviors through self-management. Use this link to sign up to train your peer counselors in WHAM to give your clients the confidence to manage their whole health.

Please make sure that your provider directory is updated with your contact information, specialty, cultural competency, ADA compliance, and all other categories. For behavioral health providers, here is the link to update your information in Provider Connect. For primary care providers, update your contact information here.

In March 2022, a new redetermination process for all Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members was implemented.  For more information, see the Renewal Revamp presentation, workbook and FAQ on HCPF's Eligibility Partner Trainings webpage or view the Renewal Guidance for Medical Assistance Memo. 

April is stress awareness month. Please utilize these resources specific to provider stress and specifically, provider stress during the Public Health Emergency.

April is alcohol awareness month. Pamphlets and resources from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are available for providers to utilize and distribute. These pamphlets include resources and facts about harmful interactions: mixing alcohol with medicines, rethink drinking alcohol and your health, alcohol and your pregnancy, and much more.

HB22-1243 proposes to extend the I Matter program, which offers all Colorado youth free mental health sessions in English or Spanish, past its initial expiration date of June 30, 2022. To date:

Access the I Matter digital toolkit and order free print materials to promote I Matter. Visit IMatterColorado.org or YoImportoColorado.org to sign up for services.

Here is a link to resources that were offered in previous month's Beacon roundtables including information on Mindsource, trauma brain injury, and psychiatric rehabilitation.

As a reminder, you can access both the primary care provider and behavioral health Provider Handbooks on Northeast Health Partners' website under the Provider Handbooks & Policies section. Please utilize these resources to answer questions in regards to member services, provider information, key performance indicators, etc.

Northeast Health Partners believes that care coordination must address members’ medical, behavioral and social needs in an integrated fashion and must address the full continuum of acute, chronic, long-term services and supports, and preventive health needs. NHP care coordinators ensure members are connected to all aspects of care needed, please see the Care Coordination and Behavioral Health Providers Fact Sheet to learn more.

This webinar is designed to help health centers understand the importance of access to gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. If providers would not like to register for webinar, they can also download the slides for free.

The Office of Suicide Prevention will be hosting additional free, virtual CAMS trainings for Colorado providers on Tuesday April 26, 2022 and Thursday May 19th, 2022. Both trainings will be in 8-hour, single-day, online format.. 

CAMS APPLICATION LINKS (select ONE)

RAE ROUNDTABLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH---2nd Fri of every month at 11am

Please join the Beacon Provider Relations team for relevant behavioral health trainings, resources, and discussion every month. Click here to join the webinar. March will cover information on justice involved members and updating provider demographics in Provider Connect.

Visit the NHP website for details on previous calls.