Some of Coloradoâs most vulnerable, traumatized and challenged children could get caught in a web of well-intended but misguided new state and federal rules. It could undermine the stateâs ability to meet these childrenâs needs for mental health, behavioral and substance-abuse care. That, in turn, could cause a ripple effect throughout Coloradoâs system for children who cannot be cared for in their own homes.
A statewide network of residential child care facilities â with highly skilled, licensed and trained professionals â long has provided behavioral health services and substance-abuse treatment for hundreds of children and teens a year. Many of these children do not have viable families; without residential treatment, they would be left out in the cold.