2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 25 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT (§§ 25-1-101 — 25-59-106) › PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND TREATMENT SERVICES (§§ 25-20.5-101 — 25-20.5-2207) › Article 20.5 - PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND TREATMENT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH (§§ 25-20.5-101 — 25-20.5-2207) › Part 20 - REGIONAL health connector program (§ 25-20.5-2001) › Section 25-20.5-2001 - Regional health connector program - creation - third-party contract - department duties - rules - definitions

(1)
As used in this part 20, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)
"Locally based host organization" means a regional organization chosen to hire and support the regional health connector in the organization's region.
(b)
"Program" means the regional health connector program created in subsection (2) of this section.
(c)
"Regional health connector" means a designated person hired and supported by a locally based host organization to engage in the activities described in subsection (4) of this section.
(2)
There is created in the division the regional health connector program for the purpose of convening and engaging local primary care practices, other health-care providers and partners, public health agencies, and community resources to identify and address specific health-related issues and health-related social needs in communities throughout the state. The division shall administer the program, and the department shall contract with a third-party entity to coordinate and oversee the program. The division shall promote alignment between division priorities, programs and partners, the contracted entity, and locally based host organizations.
(3)
Contract applicants shall demonstrate how the applicant will:
(a)
Engage and coordinate with local public health agencies, the department, and other agencies and organizations, including the department of health care policy and financing, the behavioral health administration, the division of insurance in the department of regulatory agencies, the Colorado health extension system, the primary care payment reform collaborative, health-related nonprofits, and health professional organizations;
(b)
Establish and align statewide and regional health goals and priorities;
(c)
Hold regional health connectors accountable for meeting objectives; and
(d)
Collect and report data to the division on the effectiveness of regional health connectors.
(4)
The contracted entity shall distribute money appropriated pursuant to subsection (7) of this section to each locally based host organization for the regional health connector to:
(a)
Identify available resources and support existing partnerships by strengthening connections between primary care and community organizations, coordinating activities to reduce fragmentation in the health system, and integrating clinical and community-based strategies to address local priorities, health equity, and social determinants of health;
(b)
Work with practice transformation organizations, practice facilitators, and clinical health information technology advisors in assisting primary care practices and other care organizations to improve care;
(c)
Create and support partnership development activities among practices and local and regional community-based organizations;
(d)
Collaborate with regional accountable entities, community mental health centers, local public health agencies, foundation partners, and statewide organizations;
(e)
Identify and assist system navigators, including care coordinators, care managers, health navigators, and community health workers; and
(f)
Align with state health priorities, programs, and partners.
(5)
The contracted entity may retain a percentage of the money appropriated pursuant to subsection (7) of this section for the administration of the program, and the contracted entity may subcontract with other statewide organizations and collaborate with the division to help with setting priorities and evaluating programs.
(6)
The department may promulgate rules as necessary for the implementation of this part 20.
(7)
(a)
For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate one million five hundred thousand dollars from the general fund to the department of higher education for use by the regents of the university of Colorado for allocation to the school of medicine for the purposes of section
23-21-901
.
(b)
For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, and each state fiscal year thereafter, the general assembly shall annually appropriate one million five hundred thousand dollars from the general fund to the department for use by the division for the purposes of this section.
Added by 2023 Ch. 436,§ 2, eff. 8/7/2023.
2023 Ch. 436 , was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).