Mental health diversion program expanded in Boulder County

BOULDER — Mental Health Partners has helped expand the “Early Diversion, Get Engaged” (EDGE) program to three additional Boulder County communities —  Superior, Lafayette and Erie. EDGE is a law enforcement and behavioral health co-response program that helps prevent incarceration and hospitalization of individuals with behavioral health issues by diverting the individuals into appropriate treatment. 

A Peace Officer Mental Health Support Program grant that Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle received from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs made the expansion possible. The purpose of the Peace Officer Mental Health Support Program is to help law enforcement engage mental health professionals to provide on-scene response services to support peace officers’ handling of persons with mental health disorders. 

“Unfortunately, our jails have become default mental health facilities,” Pelle said in discussing the expansion. “Expanding the EDGE Program into other jurisdictions in Boulder County is an important step to help achieve better outcomes for the low-level offenders who are struggling with addiction and mental health illness. This program will also reduce the impact of mentally ill offenders on our jail and courts.” 

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“MHP was selected to help implement the program in these new communities in part due to the wonderful working relationship we already have with Boulder County law enforcement,” said Maigan Oliver, director of acute and forensic services at Mental Health Partners.

In order to meet the needs of the EDGE expansion, Mental Health Partners is actively hiring co-responder clinicians who can effectively manage crisis intervention, de-escalation, and referrals to treatment.