Colorado State University Launches $6M Center for Behavioral Health

UPDATE: Colorado State University (CSU) has just announced a groundbreaking initiative to expand Colorado’s behavioral health workforce with a $6 million investment from the state. This new center, established in Fort Collins, aims to enhance access to critical mental health services for thousands of families across the state.

The newly formed Colorado System of Care Workforce Capacity Center will focus on training providers to deliver timely, high-quality behavioral health services to approximately 1,000 youths and families in its first year. Services include counseling, therapy, and support groups, particularly vital in rural areas where access is often limited.

CSU President Amy Parsons emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting behavioral health across Colorado, stating,

“This collaboration with the State of Colorado reflects CSU’s land-grant mission and commitment to supporting behavioral health across the state.”

The center will be led by CSU faculty members Marc Winokur and Nate Riggs, who will co-direct its operations.

Currently, many youths facing significant behavioral health challenges are placed in residential facilities, isolating them from their families and communities. The new center aims to provide intensive home-based treatment options, allowing these youths to maintain connections with their support networks. A key component of this initiative is the High Fidelity Wraparound model, which fosters a team-based approach to care.

One parent shared the transformative impact of the Wraparound approach:

“Before Wraparound, I was overwhelmed and alone… With Wraparound, we had a team that listened, planned together and supported us. My son is thriving in school again, and I finally feel hope.”

The establishment of the Workforce Capacity Center is expected to have a profound impact on families and care systems statewide. CSU’s initiative aims to improve the availability of trained providers, ensuring greater consistency in care and better long-term outcomes for Colorado’s youth.

The investment is part of a larger, seven-year plan focused on building workforce capacity within the state’s behavioral health framework. This first phase is particularly aimed at rural and frontier communities, ensuring equitable access to mental health resources.

Robert Werthwein, senior adviser for behavioral health at the state’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, reinforced the importance of this initiative:

“Through our partnership with CSU as the Workforce Capacity Center, we’re taking meaningful steps to strengthen care for children and youth with behavioral health needs for all of Colorado.”

The center will support evidence-based training programs and comprehensive assessment approaches to bolster local provider networks. CSU’s Lise Youngblade, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with CSU’s mission to serve the community:

“We are proud to support positive family and community outcomes, student preparation for meaningful careers in behavioral health.”

As this urgent initiative unfolds, the focus remains on enhancing mental health support for Colorado families. CSU’s new center is a vital step towards a more resilient and capable behavioral health workforce, promising significant improvements in care delivery across the state.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Colorado takes critical steps to uplift its mental health services.