All Courses

People with mental illness deserve adequate, effective treatment that addresses their needs and helps them remain in their communities. National estimates suggest almost half of people in jail (44%) report having a previous mental health diagnosis, and 26% showed symptoms of serious psychological distress within the last month (SAHMSA, 2024). These numbers may be even higher in Colorado, with reports suggesting that more than 50% of people in Colorado county jails have a serious mental illness (Boulder County Reporting Lab, 2023).

This course equips Colorado clinicians working in jails with the awareness and knowledge required to better meet the needs of their caseload and enhance behavioral health services for individuals who are incarcerated with mental illness. Jail clinicians will examine how treating criminogenic risk factors in combination with mental illness can improve antisocial thinking and behavior patterns, ultimately reducing future involvement in the legal system and psychiatric hospitalizations.

This course will emphasize therapeutic and group therapy elements and describe the clinical considerations for effectively treating criminogenic risk factors in combination with mental illness. Upon completion, you will be better prepared to apply interventions based on empirical evidence in jail settings.

 

People in jail or prison are over 10 times more likely to have a substance use disorder (SUD) than the general population.

As a behavioral health professional working with individuals who are incarcerated, your role in addressing this disparity is critical. This course provides an overview of how incarceration affects SUD treatment needs, examines both pharmacological and psychosocial treatment approaches, and underscores the importance of maintaining continuity of care across transitions.

Throughout the course, you will gain knowledge that will help you to provide more effective care and treatment for individuals with SUD in correctional settings, ultimately leading to better health outcomes during incarceration and after release.

An overview of key principles of early childhood mental health and strategies for applying these principles to working with young children (0 to five years) and their families, including how to approach assessment and case conceptualization.

Welcome to Understanding Decision-Making Options, presented by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing.

This course provides an overview of the legal and practical aspects surrounding decision-making options for individuals with disabilities. It specifically focuses on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are more often placed under restrictive decision-making arrangements.

This course begins with a historical perspective to highlight the importance of advocating for individuals' rights to make their own decisions. We will then explore various decision-making options, including guardianship and supported decision-making, to provide you with a thorough understanding of their purposes and implications. Finally, we will cover best practices for evaluating decision-making capacity, providing you with guidance to conduct assessments that respect the individual's autonomy and serve their best interests.

 

An overview of opioid treatment programs (OTPs), regulatory and accreditation standards, recent regulatory changes, associated treatment outcomes, and opportunities for expansion of OTP services.

An overview of the intersection of public health and behavioral health treatment, including the role of public health in identifying and addressing the risk factors and health disparities associated with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

An overview of the utility of Functional Family Therapy and Multisystemic Family Therapy approaches to serving Colorado's youth and their families. Includes a discussion of application, similarities and differences.