COLORADO TO HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST HEALTHCARE INFORMATION NETWORKS IN THE NATION

Click here to view the press release from Governor Ritter’s Office concerning the collaborative efforts to establish the Colorado Telehealth Network, thanks to nearly $10 million in grants awarded by the FCC.

"The court aims to keep kids out of the corrections system - by offering them a chance at treatment. Host Ryan Warner speaks with K.J. Moore, the judge who handles the cases" (CPR.org)

Listen to the Colorado Public Radio show, Colorado Matters, for Monday morning’s segment focusing on the mental health court in Jefferson County.  Click Here.    

A major study was published on July 30th in the medical journal, Nature, examining characteristics of the human genome of individuals with schizophrenia.  The study may shed new light on how to best treat the condition.  Read the articles below to learn more.

Study finds genetic link to schizophrenia

deCODE and SGENE Consortium Discover Deletions in the Human Genome Linked to Risk of Schizophrenia

Cardiff scientists’ major breakthrough in understanding schizophrenia

The Colorado Rural Healthcare Grant Council has awarded more than $1.9 million in its first year, with a sizeable portion going to Colorado West Regional Mental Health.  Click on the articles below to learn more about what is being funded on the Western Slope.

Health Care Grants go to Western Slope Agencies

- Article from the Grand Junction Sentinel

Colorado West in Glenwood Springs Receives $200K From State to Upgrade IT System

- Article from the Glenwood Springs Post Independent

A Guest Commentary in the Denver Post by Megan Ferland, discusses how Colorado is addressing important issues for children.  Read the article. 

Click here to read the recent article from the Denver Post discussing the national UPenn Collaborative on Community Integration, and an effort to decrease existing stigma concerning mental health issues. 

Sunday, June 22, 2008 article from the Greeley Tribune highlighting an alternative drug treatment program in Weld County that is proving to be a success.  Read the full article here.

"New Weld County program gives addicts another chance to turn around their lives."  Read the inspirational article from Greeley Tribune.

Sharon Raggio has a Toyota 4Runner, and she has been stuck on the wrong side of Vail Pass in blizzard conditions. She has seen elk on the sides of rural Colorado highways.

In other words, Raggio feels as thought she has officially moved to the Western Slope.

Raggio is the new chief executive officer for Colorado West Mental Health Center, which serves 10 counties in western Colorado and has 14 offices across the Western Slope.

Raggio came to Colorado West in March from Pikes Peak Behavior Health Group in the Colorado Springs area where she was the chief operations officer. Raggio is a licensed family and marriage therapist and also has a business degree.

http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/features/stories/2008/04/30/042908_HW3_Colo_West_CEO.html to read the entire GJSentinel article.