Approximately 13% of youth ages 8 to 15 experience severe mental disorders in a given year; a rate that increases to 20% for youth ages 13 to 18. Rates increase to over 50% when mild and moderate mental disorders are also included. In Colorado and across the nation, uncoordinated care is consistently cited by consumers, families, practitioners and other stakeholders as being a primary barrier to quality and cost effective care. The COACT project also...

The purpose of the Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (ECMHS) program is to increase the availability of mental health services to young children, birth through 5 and provide consultation and coaching/training to families and early learning programs. The ECMHS program focuses on developing and strengthening the social emotional skills of young children through timely screening and assessment, increasing the parent and the early learning provider's...