CHI Identifies the Risks and Reach of Colorado’s Early Childhood Mental Health Investments

For Immediate Release
Jan. 14, 2018

Denver, Colorado – Parts of Colorado are more at risk when it comes to early childhood mental health (ECMH) needs. And some of those high-risk areas, which include southern Colorado and Adams County, are not getting a proportionally high level of services and funding compared with other parts of the state, according to new research from the Colorado Health Institute (CHI).

Cause Effect Advisory Services, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood and with support from the Piton Foundation, retained CHI to conduct an analysis of Colorado’s ECMH system — the risk it addresses, its reach, and the resources or investments that support it.

To conduct the research, CHI characterized ECMH needs using nine risk indicators, including family background indicators such as poverty and maternal age and mental health events and outcomes such as maternal depression. Colorado experts helped select 12 ECMH programs and services to analyze by funding and service provision. By comparing ECMH risks with the reach and resources available through those 12 programs, the report identifies opportunities to strengthen the system.

“This analysis offers an additional tool to current and future governmental and non-profit leaders to focus their efforts to promote the social and emotional health of children and families statewide — and to ensure they are funded adequately,” said Jordana Ash, Director of Early Childhood Mental Health at the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood.

The report builds on similar analyses such as Dr. Geoffrey Nagle’s research at the National Center for Children in Poverty and his report, “Early Childhood Risk and Reach in Louisiana.” It’s the first report of its kind nationwide to focus on early childhood mental health and include philanthropic funding data.

CHI presented the findings in November 2018 to a diverse group of close to 50 early childhood mental health leaders, advocates, and funders in Colorado.

(Find the report and an interactive map showing funding and services here)
(Find a two-page summary of the report's findings here)

Media Contacts:
Alexandra Caldwell, Director
Colorado Health Institute
caldwella@coloradohealthinstitute.org
720.382.7084

Jordana Ash, Director of Early Childhood Mental Health
Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood
jordana.ash@state.co.us
303.866.6361
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