Pitkin County has launched a new Behavioral Health Strategic Plan webpage as a centralized online resource aimed at increasing transparency, community engagement, and access to information about the county’s behavioral health priorities and initiatives. The webpage, part of the county’s commitment to implementing the Behavioral Health Strategic Plan released in August 2025, defines behavioral health as “a person’s mental and emotional well-being” that encompasses both mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
The webpage and the county’s open recruitment for a new Pitkin County Behavioral Health Facilitator represent the first steps in implementing the strategic plan. Jenny Constable, Programs, Education & Partnerships Manager for Pitkin County Public Health, stated that “the web page will help all the partners and the public see how the plan’s execution is moving forward.” Jordana Sabella, Public Health director for Pitkin County, emphasized that “The Behavioral Health Strategic Plan web page is an important step toward making our work more accessible and accountable to the community.”
Historical context and stakeholder involvement
Pitkin County Public Health has been involved in the mental and behavioral health space in the Roaring Fork Valley since 2017, when a funders’ group was created to pool funding and allow stakeholders to collectively fund behavioral health services. Since then, funders have included the city of Aspen, Aspen School District, Aspen Valley Hospital, Pitkin County, and the towns of Snowmass Village and Basalt.
The new webpage provides an overview of the Behavioral Health Strategic Plan, including goals, focus areas, and opportunities for collaboration. According to Constable, accessing resources through the webpage is “key” to helping those in the valley struggling with mental health or substance use. “We’ve found that there are a range of services available for community members in need of support, but getting those clients connected to the right care can be difficult for a variety of reasons,” she explained. “The plan asks work groups to directly address these barriers to care.”
The Behavioral Health Facilitator role
The Behavioral Health Facilitator will play “a central role” in continued progress, “convening partners, supporting cross-sector collaboration, and advancing the strategies outlined in the plan.” Key qualifications include “the ability to facilitate broad coalitions and build relationships with partners, project management, strategic planning and implementation, systems thinking, and excellent communication skills.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.aspentimes.com/news/pitkin-county-takes-first-steps-in-behavioral-health-strategic-plan/