(1) The general assembly finds that many parents in Colorado experience challenging circumstances because their children have significant mental health needs. Many times, the parents are loving, caring parents who have become increasingly frustrated in their attempts to navigate the various governmental systems, including child welfare, mental health, law enforcement, juvenile justice, education, and youth services, in an attempt to find help for their children. Frequently in these situations, an action in dependency or neglect under article 3 of title 19 is neither appropriate nor warranted.

(2) The general assembly finds that it is desirable to assist children and youth with mental health needs and their families. The general assembly further finds that it is desirable to make mental health services more available to families who want treatment for their children. The general assembly finds that it is in the best interest of the state to provide a full range of mental health treatment services, including residential care, to children and youth who are not eligible for medicaid. The general assembly further finds that, although the mental health agencies are responsible for providing or coordinating the full range of mental health treatment services, including residential care, for those children and youth who have been found to be categorically eligible for medicaid, there remains a population of children and youth in need of mental health services who are not categorically eligible for medicaid. Accordingly, the general assembly determines that it is appropriate to adopt a program pursuant to which a continuum of services would be provided to these children and youth.

(3) The general assembly therefore finds that children and youth who are categorically eligible for medicaid and who may be eligible for mental health treatment services, including residential care, may need support in identifying clear appeals processes.