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Federal, state, and local entities work to deliver programs and initiatives to increase food security and accessibility for Coloradans. This issue brief provides an overview of key programs and efforts within the state, including beneficiaries, operations, and funding.

The quality of child care is a key concern for parents and policymakers.  Child care allows parents to remain in the workforce and contributes to a child’s development.  This issue brief provides an overview of the financial assistance available to families needing child care, briefly describes the licensing of child care centers, and explains where to find child care quality ratings.  

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado’s newest state department, began operations in July 2022 to provide a range of programs and services that support young children, families, and the professionals that serve them.  This issue brief provides an overview of the CDEC, including its creation, programs and services offered through the department, and budget for FY 2022-23.

The health care system frequently distinguishes between physical and behavioral health.  Physical health refers to the condition of the body. Behavioral health refers to the condition of cognitive processing systems.  Behavioral health services include, among others: individual and group therapy; psychiatric care; assertive community treatment; substance use disorder services; and prevention and early intervention activities.

Respite care provides temporary relief to a caregiver from the physical and emotional impacts of caring for a person with special needs who requires assistance to care for themselves.  Care can be provided for a few hours, overnight, or on an extended basis by a friend, family member, volunteer, paid service provider, or in a community-based care setting.  This issue brief provides an overview of state respite care services.

Colorado's Adult Protective Services (APS) system, first established in 1983, protects at-risk adults who, because of mental or physical ability, are unable to obtain services or otherwise protect their own health, safety, and welfare.  This issue brief provides an overview of the APS system in Colorado, highlights data on APS reports and investigations, and outlines how information on APS investigations is stored and used in the Colorado Adult Protective Service Data System (CAPS). 

This issue brief explains Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, known as Colorado Works, which provides financial and other assistance. The federally funded program is overseen at the state level by the Department of Human Services and is administered at the county level.

This issue brief outlines Colorado's efforts to address issues associated with persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system.

Colorado was tied for the fifth highest suicide rate in the nation in 2014, the most recent year of nationally available data.  In 2015, there were 1,093 suicides among Colorado residents, which is the highest number of suicides in the state’s history.  This issue brief outlines legislative actions taken in recent years to address Colorado’s high suicide rate and resources for those in need of assistance and support.

Colorado currently administers 11 Home-and Community-Based Services Medicaid (HCBS) Waivers. This issue brief discusses the six waivers available to adults. An issue brief entitled Medicaid Waiver Programs Part I – Home- and  Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers for Children discusses the five waivers available to children.

Colorado's Adult Protective Services (APS) system, first established in 1983, protects at-risk adults who, because of mental or physical ability, are unable to obtain services or otherwise protect their own health, safety, and welfare. In response to greater awareness of at-risk populations, between 2013 and 2016, legislation expanded the scope of the system by implementing mandatory reporting for certain groups and establishing protections for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Respite care provides temporary relief to a caregiver from the physical and emotional impacts of caring for a person with special needs who is unable or needs assistance to care for himself or herself. It can be provided for a few hours, overnight, or on an extended basis by a friend, family member, volunteer, paid service provider, or in a community-based care setting. This issue brief provides a brief overview of state-funded respite care services and information about the Respite Care Task Force, which met during the 2015 interim.

This issue brief provides information about Community-Centered Boards (CCBs) and recent legislation enacted to promote CCB transparency.