Free Training Opportunity for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Workforce

Employment First and Disability Benefits through a Person-Centered Lens

The "Employment First and Disability Benefits through a Person-Centered Lens" training explains Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) and Employment First concepts, and encourages direct care workers (DCWs) to consider ways to support a member's employment journey in their current roles. Training is available live, virtually, or self-paced. HCBS agencies can also schedule training exclusively for their provider organization.

Virtual Live Training Dates

(All trainings below will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, Aug. 13 and Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

Monday, Aug. 26 and Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

There is no cost to attend the training, but advanced registration is required.

HCBS providers can request financial assistance from this opportunity to support the cost of their DCWs to attend. This training is provided by the Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) through funding from HCPF's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) HCBS Training Fund initiative.

Colorado Direct Care Training (CDCT) Standardized Curriculum Pilot 

Pilot Description:  

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is looking for Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) and Long-Term Home Health (LTHH) providers to participate in the Colorado Direct Care Training (CDCT) standardized curriculum pilot. This curriculum prepares direct care workers with the skills and knowledge needed to provide professional care across various settings and populations, ensuring that direct care workers can meet high-quality standards in their service delivery. 

To support participation, HCPF is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to offer a short-term incentive. Participating agencies will receive a $25 incentive per unique module review and feedback survey completed by the end of the pilot. 

Project Timeline:  

• Deadline for Applications: Ongoing through August 5, 2024, 5:00 PM MST
• Project Timeframe: August 1, 2024 - August 30, 2024 

Participant Qualifications:  

Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Be a current enrolled HCBS Waiver or LTHH Provider
• Have at least two (2) direct care workers employed
• Provide module reviewers with the resources (computer, tablet, WiFi) to complete the module and feedback survey
• Pay at minimum the state-required wage for reviewers' time

How to Apply: 

Complete the CDCT Curriculum Pilot interest form by August 5, 2024, 5:00 PM MT. 

Resources for Behavioral Health Providers - New Training Library Page, Upcoming Office Hours, & FAQs

The new Training Library page has launched! There are over 30 trainings available for you to take at any time, organized by category:

• Behavioral Health Basics
• BHA Licensure and Approval
• Payment
• Quality Improvement and Capacity Building
• Serving Specific Populations
• Workforce

Go to the HCPF Safety Net Providers webpage to register today for upcoming office hours. They are an opportunity for questions and discussion about how reform initiatives will impact your organization. 

• Click here to register for Friday, August 30 at 12 p.m.

Have you checked out the FAQs on the HCPF Safety Net Providers webpage? See the most commonly asked questions from providers, covering topics including:

• BHA Licensure/Approval
• HCPF Enrollment
• Safety Net Provider Types
• National Provider Identifier (NPI)
• Billing and Reimbursement

Join the Behavioral Health Provider TTA newsletter to stay up to date.

Wellness Education Benefit Draft Rule to be Reviewed – Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024

HCPF has posted the Wellness Education Benefit Draft Rule on the Community First Choice (CFC) webpage. This document will be reviewed at the next scheduled CFC Council meeting.

The meeting will be held:

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024

10 to 11:30 a.m. MT

Join via Google Meet

Join via Phone:

1-260-230-1249, PIN: 719 313 221#

Please review the document prior to the meeting and feel free to outreach HCPF at hcpf_cfc@state.co.us with any comments or questions.

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ARPA Quarterly Update Webinar

On Thursday, Aug. 15 the newest ARPA Quarterly Update Webinar will be released. Following a successful new approach last quarter of pre-recording the webinar and releasing it to be viewed by stakeholders at a time that fits with their busy schedules, this webinar series will be "on-demand" from this point forward. Thanks to all of the readers of this newsletter who submitted their overwhelmingly positive feedback about this new approach.

An alert will be sent to subscribers of this newsletter when it has been released and it will be posted on the HCPF YouTube channel.

The webinar will be released:

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

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Criminal and Juvenile Justice Collaborative (Virtual and In-person) Meeting Series

The HCPF Criminal and Juvenile Justice Collaborative provides ongoing feedback to ensure robust stakeholder participation in the development of criminal justice projects including:

• ARPA 8.10 - Criminal Justice Partnerships
• Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) - Juvenile Justice
• 1115 Re-entry Waiver

The Collaborative meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 to 2 p.m. MT. The specific location at 303 E. 17th Ave for the in-person meeting will be posted on the collaborative website prior to each meeting.

The next meeting will be held:

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

1 to 2 p.m. MT

In-person meeting location:

303 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203

Virtual meeting access:

Join via Zoom

Join via Phone:

(Toll-free): 877-853-5257

Webinar ID: 895 8171 8788, Passcode: 011267

For more information about the Collaborative and its meetings, including location, please see the Criminal and Juvenile justice collaborative webpage. For any questions, please email Hannah Hall.



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Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify John Barry at 303-866-3173 or John.R.Barry@state.co.us or the 504/ADA Coordinator at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.