This recommendation creates pilot options to provide quality care for individuals held in jail who have acute behavioral health needs that are beyond the ability of the jail to manage and who do not meet criteria for diversion with the goals to develop information and experience necessary to advance a state-wide solution. This recommendation proposes the following:

- A care transitions partnership between local and regional acute care hospitals and county jails that provides quality care for jailed individuals who have acute behavioral health needs that are beyond the ability of the jail to manage.

- The target patient population includes those who are not eligible for diversion programs due to the serious nature of the criminal charge and whose behavioral health needs surpass the capacity of the jail to manage with existing in-house medical and/or mental health service providers.

- This partnership allows for the transfer of jailed individuals to acute care facilities for provision of appropriate services and is modeled after, and expands upon, the existing partnerships and transfer protocols for individuals experiencing a medical crisis while being held in jail.

- To support the development of initial pilot sites and to allow for one-time building modifications or other required changes, it is anticipated that additional state funds will need to be allocated to pilot this solution in one rural region and one urban region.

This recommendation proposes the development of pilot programs for pre-file mental health diversion in judicial districts where the option or resources for the option may be lacking. The pilot will:

- Develop post-arrest, pre-file diversion programs specifically for individuals experiencing mental health disorders and who meet specific criteria and are determined able to benefit from diversion to treatment rather than being processed through the criminal justice system.

- Create pre-file mental health diversion programs that utilize a stakeholder-created, reviewed, and approved model [A proposed model may be found in Appendix A at the "Recommendation Text" link to the full recommendation.].

In addition, local officials should promote the utilization of Adult Pretrial Diversion Programs and funding as created by §18-1.3-101, C.R.S.

Position the Colorado Crisis Services System as the comprehensive response to behavioral health emergencies in all Colorado communities by making the following reforms: a) Strengthen and enhance existing crisis services and resources; b) Amend §27-60-103 to clarify the intent of the crisis system; c) Undertake conforming regulatory changes to crisis system contracting; and d) Commit resources to incentivize the development and expansion of the crisis services provider network.

Amend Title 27 of Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S), section 65-105, to remove jails and correctional facilities as a placement option for individuals on an M1 (emergency mental health) hold. Introduce language that allows intervening professionals to transport individuals to an outpatient facility for immediate evaluation for treatment based on evidence of need.

Officials from the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) will work with staff from the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) to review and include Mental Health First AidŽ training through POST for the purpose of training up to 200 officers per month on this topic with training beginning in the spring of 2017.

Officials from the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) will work with staff from the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) to review the Mental Health First AidŽ curriculum, and modify when possible, for inclusion in the POST basic academy standard curriculum.