Colorado Nurse - February 2022

The Official Publication of the Colorado Nurses Foundation in partnership with the Colorado Nurses Association February 2022 | Colorado Nurse • 5
Peer Assistance
We are writing this as the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic
approaches. For 91 weeks we have been tracking public health orders and
relentlessly following our own office policies. As we follow threats of new variants
and breakthrough cases - trying to stay safe and healthy as a staff—and as a team—
challenges us all. When you read this in February we hope for improved data and a safer
environment.
Reflecting on FY 20/21, we are reminded that the continued demand for services
demonstrated that our screening, brief intervention and peer health assistance programs
are vital to communities statewide. We have relied on the talents and energy of our
team; we relied on their dedication to our mission and to each other. Here are a few
highlights:
Training: Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment
The SBIRT team exceeded expectations, providing 58 live virtual trainings to 700
professionals in 44 sites that included hospitals, primary care clinics, and school-based
health centers. These trainings augment the professional development of Colorado’s
health and mental health workforce. Implementation support was provided to 23 clinics
throughout northeast and southeast Colorado. We submitted proposals to three of
Colorado’s four Managed Services Organizations as part of the funding made available
by HB20-1411 – COVID Cares Act to provide SBIRT training and technical assistance,
training-of trainer sessions, measurement-based care implementation support, and
enhanced online training available 24/7. We expanded the team’s skill for training with
integrated suicide prevention by leveraging the SBIRT model, or universal screening, to
identify the risks associated with substance use and mental health concerns.
Health Professionals; Peer Health Assistance Programs
The Peer Health Team provided services to over 1100 health and mental health
professionals. The increasing number of those with Rehabilitation Contracts
demonstrates the continuing need for programming for individuals with substance use,
mental health, physical health, and related concerns. Safety to practice is supported
through constructive case management and monitoring.
The closure of many businesses, including drug testing sites, has presented unique
challenges for PAS clients. Alternative drug testing options were implemented, allowing
clients to maintain compliance with monitoring requirements. The tremendous need
for health and mental health professionals in the workforce resulted in increased
employment opportunities for health and mental health professionals working with
PAS, though employment in a pandemic has caused amplified stressors, due to long and
demanding work hours, increased exposure risk, and isolation due to disease exposure.
The Nursing Peer Health Assistance Program provided these services throughout
the Pandemic:
- 823 RN’s, and LPN’s accessed services including evaluation, case management,
short-term problem resolution, or referral to treatment.
- 267 RN’s and LPN’s received a comprehensive biopsychosocial evaluation.
- The average number of nurses receiving case management, monitoring, and
support is 363 – majority of whom are employed using their license.
- Program awareness information was distributed regarding the availability of
24/7 services.
- Virtual presentations were provided to nurses in hospitals, schools, and clinics to
address substance use and mental health concerns exacerbated by COVID-19.
- Outreach to thousands of Colorado nurses through numerous avenues
including The Colorado Nurse
Government Affairs &
Public Policy Committee
Mary Satre, MSN, MBA, RN
CNA Board Member Region 3, Co-Chair of GAPP Committee
The first 2022 meeting of the Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) Government Affairs
and Public Policy Committee (GAPP) coincided with the start of the Second Regular
Session of the Seventy-third General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on
January 12, 2022. These meetings, resuming their semi-monthly schedule during the
legislative session on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 6:15 to
8:00 pm, will continue in virtual format via Zoom for the foreseeable future, allowing
participation of membership across Colorado. CNA’s Director of Practice and Government
Affairs, Colleen Casper, DNP, RN, MS, is the spokesperson for this Committee and
represents CNA as required in matters relating to policy and legislation. Contract Lobbyist
Gil Romero and his team cover the action in the State Legislature and update the GAPP
members on committee activity as well as budget allocation. With three billion federal
dollars available to Colorado this year and many health care measures on the table, GAPP
will be monitoring activity closely.
The presentation of the Governor’s FY 2022-2023 budget in early December gave a
preview of the issues that will be under consideration as the legislative session proceeds.
Our lobbyist team anticipates a very busy season, and the agenda for GAPP meetings
will be full as health care related bills are presented and discussed. Member experts,
some with decades of experience in their specialty areas of practice, contribute substance
to the discussions as they debate the pros and cons of each bill, ultimately making
recommendations to support or oppose a bill or remain neutral. A number of state
legislators have worked diligently with Dr. Casper and the team to advance supported
bills through the House and Senate. As such, the recent redistricting in Colorado and its
ultimate effect on representation has been on the GAPP Committee’s radar.
In a year where the nurse staffing shortage has been declared a crisis at the national
level by the American Nurses Association, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to
highlight this shortage, the collective voice of nurses raised in defense of safe practices
and indeed their own safety is paramount. GAPP meetings are open to all CNA members
and students are encouraged to visit the website (https://www.coloradonurses.org/gov-taffairs-public-policy-gapp-)
to register to attend as guests.
GAPP encourages all nurses as health care professionals to cultivate connections with
their respective state legislators to enable efficient delivery of relevant messaging. GAPP
stands ready to support this process.
We are grateful to provide this column in The Colorado Nurse which helps us
with important outreach. PAS provides the statewide Nursing Peer Health Assistance
Program through a contract with the Colorado State Board of Nursing, Department
of Regulatory Agencies. www.peerassistanceservices.org
For more information contact Annie Klein, Communications and Program
Outreach Manager, aklein@peerassistanceservices.org; 303-369-0039 x224.
Office locations:
2170 South Parker Road, Suite 229 200 Grand Avenue, Suite 270
Denver, CO 80231 Grand Junction, CO 81501
303-369-0039 970-986-4360
Weld County Public Health
(Greeley, CO)
invite applicants to apply:
Public Health Nurse I or II
(Nurse-Family Partnership)
To view the complete job
announcements and apply online:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/
careers/weld