What does a successful system of care look like for the youth of Colorado? During this episode, Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet is an advocate for youth mental health motivated by her own experience of trying to find the necessary support for her son’s complex needs. Kicking off our conversation, she shares her own story of advocating for a struggling child and how it ignited her passion for youth mental health in Colorado. Led by the hope that other kids will not have to go through the same things as her son, she uses her position to bring about meaningful change in the legislature. Hear more about her efforts to create a neuropsychological facility, the neverending challenge of opening up more placement opportunities, and the root of the most significant obstacles limiting progress in this area. Senator Michaelson Jenet expands on the idea of a successful system of care, where it begins, and why there is such a sense of urgency around this topic. Join us for a realistic look at the realities faced by our youth and a hopeful look at what the future might hold. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet.
• Why she is passionate about the topic of youth mental health.
• Volunteering at juvenile facilities in Colorado. 
• The biggest challenges she faced while trying to meet her son’s needs.
• Working in the legislature to create the necessary support for the youth of Colorado. 
• Senator Michaelson Jenet’s thoughts on why it has been so difficult to create progress in this area.
• How education about behavioral health has progressed. 
• New opportunities that stem from reform efforts to ensure that young Medicaid recipients get what they need.
• What a successful system of care means for youth and where it begins. 
• The risks faced when a system is unsuccessful at responding to the needs of our youth.
• How State leaders can ensure that stakeholder processes are done well.
• Why there is a sense of urgency around this topic.
• The model provided by New Jersey and how it is guiding decision-making in Colorado. 
• How you can get involved in advocating for legislative change. 
• What is behind Senator Michaelson Jenet’s belief that positive change is coming. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet on Facebook

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet on X

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet on Instagram

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet Email

Colorado State Assembly

Speak Our Minds on Instagram

Speak Our Minds on YouTube
Speak Our Minds on Facebook

Speak Our Minds on X

Speak Our Minds

Heidi Baskfield