2026 Family Impact Seminar: Youth Mental and Behavioral Health Access

The legislature has historically invested in youth mental and behavioral health. The 2026 Family Impact Seminar on Youth Mental and Behavioral Health Access will present research on emergent trends in youth mental health, strategies that improve access and outcomes, and why access to care often fails.

This 2026 topic of focus was chosen by a bipartisan advisory committee and informed by pressing policy priorities, data showing urgent needs of Colorado families where policy action can help, and existing momentum across executive agencies.

Friday, March 20, 2026 | Capitol Annex Room 1052 | 7:50 to 8:50 a.m.

A continental breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m.

This by-invitation event is open to legislators, staff, and executive branch representatives.

Event Flyer
RSVP Encouraged to help plan for the event

Meet Your Convening Host

The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab connects leaders from all three branches of government with researchers to tackle the state’s biggest challenges. We turn Colorado data and national evidence into actionable insights that shape policy and improve lives.

State policy and budget decisions have lasting impacts on Coloradans. When policymakers have access to rigorous data—and to researchers who can help them apply it—they are better equipped to address the state’s toughest challenges.

Dr. Courtney Everson serves as the Family Impact Seminar Director for Colorado.

What are Family Impact Seminars?

Family Impact Seminars are an evidence-informed model to translate the best available research evidence into action. Each seminar is a nonpartisan, educational session on a pressing family issue chosen by state policymakers through a bipartisan advisory committee. Renowned research experts share the evidence on policy levers, then policymakers explore actionable solutions forward together. The model has three decades of impact behind it in 26+ states. 

  • 2025: Colorado’s inaugural seminar was held on attainable housing, hosted by the Colorado Lab in collaboration with the Research Translation Platform at Penn State University. 
  • 2026: Colorado’s second seminar will be on youth mental and behavioral health access, hosted by the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab.

Benefits of the Seminar Model

The model convenes bipartisan, cross-branch representatives for actionable, research-based discussions about a policy issue chosen by government partners. 

  • Timely Research: Policymakers receive relevant research in a rapid response, low-burden way.
  • Agenda Neutral: Seminars are nonpartisan and do not lobby. 
  • Three Decades of Impact: 26+ states have conducted seminars since 1990, with successful implementation and visible results in evidence-based policy for families.
  • Bipartisan Discussion: The Q&A and facilitated dialogue during and after the event promote productive, bipartisan discussion toward actionable paths forward.
  • Briefing Report: A Briefing Report is created from seminar proceedings as a tangible takeaway, which then can be used in ongoing policy decision making.
  • Post-Session Continuity: Legislative and executive branch relationships are formed with researchers and additional events are hosted to promote actionability of seminar results. 

Seminar Advisory Committee

A bipartisan legislative advisory committee is formed to ensure the research seminar is relevant, timely, and matched to decision making priorities. The advisory committee:

  • Advises on the seminar topic.
  • Encourages participation from fellow legislators, officials, and staff.
  • Provides strategic guidance for seminar planning.
  • Supports evidence-based decision making in Colorado State Government.
  • Advances effective policy solutions for Colorado families, businesses, and communities.

Thank you to Colorado’s Advisory Committee for lending their expertise and passion:

  • Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet
  • Senator Judy Amabile; Aide: Robin Noble
  • Senator Cleave Simpson
  • Representative Lindsay Gilchrist; Aide: Sydney Marler
  • Representative Rick Taggart
  • Senator John Carson; Aide: Aurora Ogg
  • Senator Cathy Kipp
  • Edmond Toy, Colorado Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting
  • Senator Byron Pelton (2025)
  • Representative Ron Weinberg (2025)
  • Representative Ryan Armagost (2025)
  • Representative Kyle Brown (2025)
  • Senator Kyle Mullica (2025)
  • Representative Monica Duran (2025)

Questions about this model or want to get involved?

Connect with the Seminar Director, Dr. Courtney Everson, at Courtney@coloradolab.org