Resources, Forms & Trainings

This toolkit includes a wide range of documents and resources that provide detailed guidance on the independent assessment process.

Family First Independent Assessment Fact Sheet

This operation memo informs county departments of the current practice guidance recommended and to be in effect as of October 1, 2021 until Volume VII rules are promulgated regarding county responsibilities when placing a child/youth in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP)

This video was created to help families understand the independent assessment process.

This 8-minute video provides county perspectives on the process of rolling out Family First independent assessments.

As the Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) comes into effect in Colorado, child welfare staff need to understand and have the tools to accurately enter child and family data in Trails. This tipsheet provides guidance on data entry.

This 52-minute town hall recording explores the funding continuum and how it relates to the Children and Youth Mental Treatment Act (CYMHTA), Family First Independent Assessments, and Medicaid.

This video explains what a Qualified Individual does when they are completing an independent assessment.

The Colorado Department of Human Services and the Colorado Human Services Directors Association have created a guide to support county directors in the implementation of Family First. Each section of the guide is formatted to include: (1) an introduction, (2) “what county directors need to know,” on the topic and (3) suggested “action steps” that are designed to be practical and easily digestible.