Increasing Access to Counseling in Rural Colorado
In 2024, we worked with Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and develop their 2025-2030 Public Health Improvement Plan (PHIP). Ultimately, the CHNA identified increased access to behavioral health resources for youth and adults in the bi-county region as a primary need. LAHCDHD staff, with the foundation provided by the needs identified in the CHNA and outlined in the PHIP, have sought opportunities for funding to help move forward the objectives outlined in the PHIP. When an opportunity arose to apply for funding through the Colorado Trust Community Resilience Initiative, OHI partnered with LAHCDHD, this time to submit a proposal and budget for funding support to create a free telehealth counseling program at the health department.
With the awarded funding, the LAHCDHD was able to once again contract with OHI to develop and roll-out a no-cost telehealth counseling program available to all bi-county residents. As a part of this work, we researched and identified best practices to establish and maintain a behavioral health telehealth program. After sharing our findings, the LAHCDHD determined that a voucher model was the best fit. In this model, clients complete a Google Form to enroll in the program. After answering questions to determine their eligibility, all Las Animas or Huerfano County residents who completed the form are contacted by LAHCDHD staff and navigated to the appropriate resource. In addition to contracting with Colorado-licensed therapists, the LAHCDHD also developed a partnership with the Colorado Agricultural Addiction and Mental Health Program (CAAMHP) to build on their existing resources available for ag-workers in Colorado. OHI developed numerous program documents, including a client disclaimer and workflows for:
Determining client eligibility
Enrolling and notifying clients of enrollment
Following up with enrolled clients who have not participated in a session
Provider Billing and Reimbursement
Templates were created for communication with clients and healthcare providers, and various other materials were also created for the program, including equipment check-out forms and logs, data tracking tools. provider referral letters, tailored promotional materials and scheduling tools for using private counseling rooms.
Through this work, over 200 telehealth therapy sessions have been provided to date to Las Animas and Huerfano County residents at no cost to them. This program is ongoing and we will continue to support the health department as they work towards sustaining this program long-term.
Learn more about our work.