Shows
Speak Our MindsStrategic Advice for Long-Lasting Change in our Mental Healthcare System with Mental Health In-Chief Dr. K. Ron-Li LiawAddressing Colorado’s challenges in the children’s system of care and mental health requires innovative thinking and strategic partnerships at the government level. Joining Heidi Baskfield on the Speak Our Minds podcast today is Dr. K. Ron-Li Liaw, Colorado’s first Mental Health-In-Chief for Children’s Hospital Colorado and is also the Division Director of Child and Adolescent Youth Mental Health at the University of Colorado’s Department of Psychiatry. In this episode, Dr. Ron-Li Liaw shares how her groundbreaking role is shaping the design and delivery of mental health care in Colorado. She discusses key steps to create las...2024-11-2527 min
Speak Our MindsEmpowering Families and Voices with Lived Experience: A Conversation with Christine Beyer, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and FamiliesThe New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state’s first Cabinet-level agency focused exclusively on serving and supporting at-risk children and families. Today, Heidi welcomes Christine Beyer, Commissioner of the NJ DCF, to the podcast. Together with its partners, the NJ DCF works to increase kinship placements, strengthen family connections, prevent maltreatment, and promote family stability. They strive to integrate consumer voices in every program, foster accountability, maximize federal support, provide an inclusive system of care for youth, and prioritize both staff safety and professional satisfaction. Join the conversation as Christine shares insights into her ro...2024-11-0432 min
Speak Our MindsA Bold Commitment to Youth Mental Health Reform in Colorado with Senator Barbara KirkmeyerHow can a state transform its approach to youth mental health in the face of bureaucratic challenges? In this episode of Speak Our Minds, we spotlight the passionate advocacy of Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, a fourth-generation Coloradan who has lived in Weld County for over 35 years. From her roots as a county commissioner to her current role in the state senate, Senator Kirkmeyer’s journey is fueled by a deep commitment to improving mental health care for her state's most vulnerable citizens: its youth. She shares her pivotal role in championing Senate Bill 59 and House Bill 1038, both designed to overhaul th...2024-10-2132 min
Speak Our MindsBuilding Responsive Systems: Empowering Colorado Youth to Navigate Mental Health with Te'Andis Elliot and Quatisha BaileyWe continue our fight for youth mental health and are excited to welcome two special guests to the podcast today: Te’Andis Elliot; a community engagement specialist in youth outreach, and Quatisha Bailey (known as Q); the Executive Director of the independent health and wellness consulting firm, Qs with Q. Join the conversation as we discuss their work in supporting youth mental health, explore common struggles faced by teens, and examine the impact of social pressures and the intersection of sexual abuse and mental health. We also highlight the importance of intentionally providing Black males with time, tools, and su...2024-10-1442 min
Speak Our MindsProposition KK: An Issue of Domestic Violence with Majority Leader Monica Duran and Elizabeth Newman from CCASAThis week, we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to address a critical issue: Proposition KK and the rising incidence of domestic violence in the state of Colorado, with many cases tragically ending in fatalities. Joining us are Majority Leader Monica Duran and Elizabeth Newman from the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA). Representative Duran shares her personal journey through a life-defining experience with domestic violence, while Elizabeth provides insights into her role at CCASA, the work they do, and their mission. We also examine the impact of domestic violence on children and delve into the data behind this alarming...2024-10-0737 min
Speak Our MindsCulturally Responsive Care & Education: Reclaiming Our History to Empower the Future with Dr. Terri BissonetteAll too often, discussions about system reform and the youth mental health crisis tend to overlook the specific needs and experiences of Native and Indigenous communities. Today’s episode of Speak Our Minds features Dr. Terri Bissonette, Gnoozhekaaning Anishinaabe, a seasoned educator, independent consultant, and the former Founder and School Leader of the American Indian Academy of Denver (AIAD). Terri shares her insights into the unique needs of Native American students, highlighting the profound impact of intergenerational trauma on their mental health. She also delves into how we can design and reform systems to better support and uplift Native an...2024-09-3036 min
Speak Our MindsThe Future of Youth Mental Health with Dr. Benjamin MillerWhat’s the most significant barrier facing youth and families when it comes to mental health care? Today, Dr. Benjamin Miller, a leading expert in mental health and adjunct faculty at Stanford School of Medicine, joins us to unpack the pressing challenges and opportunities in reforming the youth mental health system. Drawing on his extensive experience, Dr. Miller sheds light on key issues, such as the ongoing struggle for access to care, the complexities of navigating fragmented systems, and the importance of equity in mental health services. He also delves into the vital role of schools and communities in de...2024-09-2333 min
Speak Our MindsWhat is Truly at Stake with the Youth Mental Health Crisis with Jamie UlrichThere is still a long way to go to solve the children and youth mental health crisis in Colorado. But there are many hardworking people creating solutions across our state. One such person is the Director of Human Services for Weld County, Jamie Ulrich, and she joins us today to share her journey to direct service, day-to-day problem-solving work, and insights on what is most needed in our state. Unpacking what children and youth are struggling with most, Jamie highlights the need to establish better lower levels of care and step-down placements. She also gets into the weeds with...2024-09-1636 min
Speak Our MindsLessons from Rosie D. v. Romney with Dr. David KellerWhat can a landmark lawsuit from Massachusetts teach us about improving mental health care for youth in Colorado? Joining us today to unpack this question is Dr. David Keller, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Vice Chair of Clinical Strategy and Transformation at Children's Hospital Colorado, and co-chair of the Legislative Committee for the Colorado chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP). A key figure in pediatric healthcare, Dr. Keller is also an expert on the Rosie D. v. Romney lawsuit: the foundational Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) case that...2024-09-0933 min
Speak Our MindsBuilding a Successful System of Care with Senator Dafna Michaelson JenetWhat does a successful system of care look like for the youth of Colorado? During this episode, Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet is an advocate for youth mental health motivated by her own experience of trying to find the necessary support for her son’s complex needs. Kicking off our conversation, she shares her own story of advocating for a struggling child and how it ignited her passion for youth mental health in Colorado. Led by the hope that other kids will not have to go through the same things as her son, she uses her position to bring about me...2024-09-0228 min
Speak Our MindsKnowing What to Ask ForWhen you’re first seeking care for your child, how do you know what to ask for? During this episode, we are joined by someone who has navigated many challenging circumstances in her personal fight for youth mental health. Kristin Stark is a mother supporting her daughter, Cecilia, as she navigates a wide variety of needs. Speaking to her really helps us bring to life the reasons behind the lawsuit and the need for mental health support. Kristin shares some of the challenges and trauma she and her daughter faced before meeting an advocate who advised her to get a...2024-08-2630 min
Speak Our MindsWhy Colorado Must Do Better for Our Kids’ Mental Health with Kim LewisWelcome to Speak Our Minds: The Fight for Youth Mental Health, a podcast that delves into the inspiring journeys of youth mental health advocates who took a stand to transform the system. Together with your host and seasoned public affairs expert, Heidi Baskfield, we’ll explore the landmark class-action lawsuit that held the state of Colorado accountable for failing to provide essential youth mental health services. In each episode, we’ll unpack the intricacies of the lawsuit, guiding you through the legal battles and the monumental settlement that set the foundation for a functioning mental health system. Today, we are...2024-08-1639 min
Ripple Effect Martial Arts PodcastMartial Arts and Children's Mental HealthHow do we help kids stay strong in mind and body in these challenging times? In this episode we’re talking with Heidi Baskfield and Dr. Bruno Anthony of Colorado’s Partners for Children’s Mental Health, who advise on what you need to know about pressures kids face and how parents, teachers and martial arts instructors can help. Serious, fascinating insight from two fighters on the front for healthier kids!2021-10-1832 min
Good & GroundedA State of Emergency for Youth Mental Health | Heidi Baskfield of Children's Hospital ColoradoOn May 25th of this year, Children's Hospital Colorado declared a state of emergency for youth mental health. “I don’t know how to effectively articulate how bad this is. And it’s not going to get better any time soon,” said Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Vice President of Population Health and Advocacy, Heidi Baskfield. On this episode of Good & Grounded, Jim Licko & Laura Love talk with Heidi about this ongoing issue, how the pandemic exacerbated the problem, and what’s being done to address things going forward.
2021-07-0817 min
Charting PediatricsCOVID-19 School Re-Entry Guidance with Sean O'Leary, MD and Heidi Baskfield, JD (S3:E59)In this our 16th COVID-19 podcast, we will delve into the return to school guidance that both Children’s Hospital Colorado and the American Academy of Pediatrics have released and talk about how pediatricians can be advocates for the safe return to in-person learning in their communities. When schools across the United States halted in-person learning because of COVID-19 this Spring, many of us never predicted that students would remain in a remote learning status for the remainder of the school year. As school districts and teachers worked tirelessly to utilize all resources at their disposal, it be...2020-07-0133 min