Blue
Ribbon Policy Council for Early
Childhood
Mental Health
Healthy Minds, Strong Futures Policy Toolkit
Toolkit Sections:
- House Bill 1451
- Mental
Health Special Tax Districts
- Invest
in young children's social and
environmental development - Mental
health is fundamental to the overal
l health and well-being of young children
- Data
and Information
- Quick facts
- Links to other websites
- References
- Strategies
- Educate
and inform policy makers
- Meeting with your public officials
- Testimony
- Legislative briefing
- Effective
strategies for
legislative advocacy
- Getting
the word out through the media
- Public service announcements
- Letters to the editor
- OpEd
- Drop-in article
- Media alerts and news releases
- Press conferences
- T.V. and radio interviews
- Community
awareness: activities and materials
- Billboards
- Shopping Carts
- Community
Events and Activities
- Educate
and inform policy makers
- In the community
- In the classroom
- At colleges and universities
- In faith communities
- Creating
and presenting organized and
compelling speeches - Creating powerful data presentations
- Overcoming stage fright
About the Blue Ribbon Policy Council
- Members
Colorado Opportunities
There are many opportunities in Colorado that communities can use to support early childhood policy changes. The following are two examples that are often overlooked with regard to early childhood.
House Bill 1451 and Mental Health Special Tax Districts
Although young children are not specifically mentioned in the enacting legislation, House Bill 1451 and Mental Health Special Tax Districts are two existing opportunities that can be used to support system integration and service enhancement for young children and their families. They are highlighted in this toolkit because communities often do not include young children in their system and service improvement efforts under these legislative opportunities.
Other legislative and policy opportunities also exist that are specific to young children and their families. These are not included in this toolkit. This is not to say that they are unimportant, but communities are already aware of them to support systems change for young children and their families.
House Bill 1451
Promotes collaboration among child and family serving agencies for children and families who would beneift from multi-agency involvement. Incentive dollars are available for those communities that meet their target outcomes. These dollars can be used flexibly to meet the needs of children and families in the community. In addition, 1451 communities can request waivers of state law and regulations. (C.R.S. 24-1.9-102) (Link To Legislation)
Mental Health Special Tax Districts
Provides legislative permission for local communities to create a mental health special tax district for the purpose of generating tax revenues to be used to address the mental health care needs of adults, children, and families in their communities. (C.R.S. 32-17-101) (LINK to PDF of Legislation)