2017 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 27 - Behavioral Health
Mental Health and Mental Health Disorders
Article 69 - Family Advocacy Mental Health Juvenile Justice Programs
§ 27-69-102. Definitions

As used in this article 69, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Co-occurring disorders" means disorders that commonly coincide with behavioral or mental health disorders and may include, but are not limited to, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, fetal alcohol syndrome, and traumatic brain injury.

(2) and (3) Repealed.

(4) "Family advocacy coalition" means a coalition of family advocates, family systems navigators, or family advocacy organizations working to help families and youth with mental health problems, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and other co-occurring disorders to improve services and outcomes for youth and families and to work with and enhance state and local systems.

(5) "Family advocate" means a parent or primary caregiver who:

(a) Has been trained in a system-of-care approach to assist families in accessing and receiving services and supports;

(b) Has raised or cared for a child or adolescent with a mental health or co-occurring disorder; and

(c) Has worked with multiple agencies and providers, such as mental health, physical health, substance abuse, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, education, and other state and local service systems.

(5.5) "Family systems navigator" means an individual who:

(a) Has been trained in a system-of-care approach to assist families in accessing and receiving services and supports;

(b) Has the skills, experience, and knowledge to work with children and youth with mental health or co-occurring disorders; and

(c) Has worked with multiple agencies and providers, including mental health, physical health, substance abuse, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, education, and other state and local service systems.

(6) Repealed.

(6.5) "Office of behavioral health" means the office of behavioral health in the department of human services.

(7) "Partnership" means a relationship between a family advocacy organization and another entity whereby the family advocacy organization works directly with another entity for oversight and management of the family advocate or family systems navigator and family advocacy demonstration program, and the family advocacy organization employs, supervises, mentors, and provides training to the family advocate or family systems navigator.

(8) "System of care" means an integrated network of community-based services and support that is organized to meet the challenges of youth with complex needs, including, but not limited to, the need for substantial services to address areas of developmental, physical, and mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, and education and involvement in or being at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. In a system of care, families and youth work in partnership with public and private organizations to build on the strengths of individuals and to address each person's cultural and linguistic needs so services and support are effective.

(9) and (10) Repealed.