Catalog

Colorado faces significant challenges in addressing adolescent behavioral health, particularly substance use disorders. Despite a recent decline in overall teen substance use, a concerning treatment gap persists for those needing help. This is especially alarming given the state's recent sharp increase in teen overdose deaths. As a behavioral health professional working with young people, you play a crucial role in bridging this gap.

This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and intervene in adolescent substance use issues. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the risk and protective factors influencing these disorders, learn how to effectively screen for them using Motivational Interviewing techniques, and explore evidence-based treatment options and available resources to support both yourself and the young people you serve.

Welcome to Decision-Making Options training, 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.

Whether you are a medical professional, behavioral health provider, or anyone involved in the care and support of individuals with disabilities, this course will equip you with the knowledge to understand and properly communicate the decision-making options available to individuals in the state of Colorado.

In this course, participants will gain a better understanding of suicide risk assessment, prevention, and intervention for children and adolescents. Participants will learn how to recognize suicide risk factors and warning signs and how to speak with young people who are at risk. Participants will review suicide risk assessment strategies to increase comfortability when speaking with younger clients about suicide. The course will also include a discussion of Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) and additional evidence-based intervention strategies developed to reduce the risk of suicide in children and adolescents.

This course focuses on working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). It will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand and support this population effectively. The course covers a variety of topics that are relevant to I/DD, providing a comprehensive understanding of the unique behavioral health challenges that individuals with I/DD face. 

You will gain insights into the specific behavioral, emotional, social, and medical challenges individuals with I/DD may experience and how these challenges can manifest in various settings. You will see that medical conditions are often at the core of challenging behavior in individuals with I/DD.

Furthermore, the course will emphasize the importance of person-centered approaches and individualized care when working with individuals with I/DD. You will explore strategies for establishing rapport, building trust, and effectively communicating with individuals with communication difficulties. Collaboration with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams will be crucial to supporting individuals with I/DD. You will understand the importance of involving family members and caregivers in the treatment process and collaborating across Colorado's system of care. 

Completing this course will enhance your ability to provide compassionate and effective support for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, promoting their behavioral health and overall well-being.

Screening protocols are essential for helping individuals with brain injuries access the care they need. Brain injuries can significantly impact a person's health, function, and well-being, putting them at higher risk for various physical and mental health challenges. This course focuses on the tools and strategies necessary to assess and evaluate the impact of brain injuries accurately. You'll learn how to gather detailed information about an individual's injury history, conduct comprehensive health history interviews, and recognize when specialist care is needed.

In addition to addressing the direct effects of brain injuries, this course also explores the unique challenges faced by individuals as they adjust to life post-injury. These challenges often include communication difficulties, mood disturbances, and cognitive issues, which can complicate access to care — especially for those with co-occurring behavioral health conditions. By understanding these added complexities, you will be better equipped to support both patients and their caregivers, tailoring treatment plans to meet each individual's specific needs.

This training provides an understanding of trauma-informed care tailored to children and adolescents. Participants will gain insights into the impact of trauma on young individuals and learn evidence-based practices to effectively support and promote healthy outcomes in this vulnerable population. This training will focus primarily on the following developmental stages:

1. Early school age (age 5-7)

2. Middle school age (age 8-12)

3. Early adolescence (age 13-17)