Colorado Revised Statutes Title 27. Behavioral Health § 27-66.5-103. Community transition specialist program--program requirements--acceptance of referrals--contract for services--rules

(1) The community transition specialist program is established in the behavioral health administration. The program coordinates referrals of high-risk individuals from withdrawal management facilities, facilities providing acute treatment services, facilities providing crisis stabilization services, and hospitals or emergency departments to appropriate transition specialists.

(2) On or before January 1, 2019, the program must be available statewide, subject to available appropriations. The program must have a process to accept referrals for high-risk individuals and coordinate contact between referred high-risk individuals and appropriate transition specialists. To the extent possible, the coordinated contact must take place prior to the release or discharge of the high-risk individual from a facility.

(3) The program must encourage, but cannot require, withdrawal management facilities, facilities providing acute treatment services, facilities providing crisis stabilization services, and hospitals or emergency departments to contact the program before releasing or discharging a high-risk individual.

(4) The program may encourage, but cannot require, a high-risk individual to accept services from a transition specialist. Participation by a high-risk individual is voluntary and the individual has the right to decline community transition specialist services.

(5) The BHA may contract with a vendor to provide the referral and coordination services required by this article 66.5.

(6) The state board of human services may promulgate rules necessary for the implementation of this article 66.5.