Community Mental Health Supports Waiver

Age 18 & Up

The Community Mental Health Supports Waiver(CMHS) provides assistance to people with a mental illness that require long-term supports and services in order to remain in a community setting.

Visit the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing website for the most current information about the CMHS Waiver.

To qualify:

  • Be willing to get services in your home or community. 
  • Require long-term support services at a level comparable to services typically provided in a nursing facility.
  • A person experiencing severe and persistent mental health needs that require assistance with one or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL),
    • 18 years of age or older with a severe and persistent mental health need,
    • Currently has or at any time during the past year leading up to assessment has a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and
    • Has a disorder that is episodic, recurrent, or has persistent features, but may vary in terms of severity and disabling effects, and
    • Has resulted in functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major activities.
  • A severe and persistent mental health need does not include:
    • Intellectual or developmental disorders, or
    • Substance use disorder without a co-occurring diagnosis of a severe and persistent mental health need
  • Meet financial determination requirements as outlined in the Colorado Code of Regulations and as determined by your local Department of Human Services.

Services & Supports

If you are enrolled in the CMHS waiver, you will receive regular Health First Colorado benefits. Additionally, you will also receive the following services specific to the CMHS waiver:

  • Adult Day Services
  • Alternative Care Facilities
  • Home Delivered Meals
  • Home Modifications
  • Homemaker Services (with Remote Supports options)
  • Life Skills Training
  • Medication Reminder
  • Non-Medical Transportation
  • Peer Mentorship
  • Personal Care (with Remote Supports options)
  • Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
  • Respite Care
  • Transition Set Up

Service Delivery Options / Additional Benefits

  • Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) 

Connected with DP and wanting to know more?

Contact your Case Manager (or Service Coordinator) for help or assistance

Not yet connected?

Not sure where to go?
Call our main line at
303-360-6600
Need to contact our Intake team? Please fill out our Intake Referral Form or leave a message with our intake team by calling
303-360-6600, press 3, then press 2
For helpful guides and information about our services, please visit our Helpful Tools page