CO SB010

Creates a behavioral health care professional matching grant program administered by the Department of Education to provide funding to schools for mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral health services.

Expands the definition of "school health professional" to include mental health professionals licensed under Colorado law, and expands "behavioral health care" to encompass prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and social-emotional health support.

Grant recipients must use funds to increase school health professional staffing and provide services including screenings, counseling, therapy, referrals to community organizations, and staff training; may contract with community partners or use telehealth technology to deliver services.

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the marijuana tax cash fund for fiscal year 2019-20 to implement the program, with funding based on an assumption of 1.0 additional FTE for the Department of Education.

Application prioritization criteria include demonstrated need for school health professionals based on student alcohol or drug use data, mental health factors, and access to behavioral health care; emphasis on evidence-based programs; and commitment to staff training related to behavioral health supports.