In 2019, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) commissioned a county-wide assessment to document needs and identify opportunities for developing a comprehensive and integrated behavioral health system, one that ensures timely access to appropriate care for all individuals.

BCPH contracted with the OMNI to conduct the multi-faceted assessment, with a central aim of generating clear, supported, and actionable recommendations for developing and implementing a coordinated behavioral health system. OMNI was tasked with answering two overarching questions: 1) Is it feasible to create a coordinated referral system for behavioral health disorders? And 2) is it feasible to scale up a law enforcement diversion and co-responder program across all of Boulder County?

The Boulder County Project Oversight Team was formed to guide the work at every stage and included leaders from Public Health, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Community Services, and Housing and Human Services. Diverse stakeholder groups at multiple levels across these sectors were also engaged throughout the process through multiple methods including surveys, interviews, and facilitated meetings. In total, more than 200 individuals generously provided their expertise and input to inform the assessment and resulting recommendations.