(1) The general assembly hereby finds that:

(a) The state operates or state agencies provide funding for a wide variety of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs designed to assist youth in achieving an education, in making informed choices about their health and well-being, in avoiding the juvenile and criminal justice systems, and, generally, in becoming healthy, law-abiding, contributing members of society;

(b) These prevention, intervention, and treatment programs are operated by or funded through several departments within the executive branch, and this high degree of decentralization often makes communications between and among these departments and programs difficult;

(c) There is some overlap among prevention, intervention, and treatment programs, sometimes resulting in the potentially inefficient use of state resources which may result in the provision of fewer services to youth;

(d) The dispersion of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs among state departments makes it difficult for both state employees and the public to determine what programs are available and what services are provided through prevention, intervention, and treatment programs that are operated by or funded through state agencies;

(e) The term limitations placed on persons who serve in public office, including members of the general assembly, make it increasingly important that information concerning the existence, funding, and operation of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs for youth be readily accessible;

(f) In the area of prevention, intervention, and treatment services, there is a critical need for local and state programs to overcome barriers and the categorical requirements of various funding sources in order to design and implement programs that provide a more comprehensive response to the needs of Colorado youth;

(g) Research demonstrates that program coordination among multiple systems for the purpose of improving prevention, intervention, and treatment services results in significant positive outcomes;

(h) A unified, coordinated response to community-based programs for the delivery of prevention, intervention, and treatment services has proven to be an effective and efficient state response to local programs and their needs.

(2) The general assembly therefore finds that it is in the best interests of the youth and families of the state to create a single division in the department of public health and environment to operate prevention and intervention programs and to oversee the provision of prevention, intervention, and treatment services through federally and state-funded prevention, intervention, and treatment programs to ensure collaboration among programs and the availability of a continuum of services for youth.