Last Resort /last-resort “Last Resort” is a Colorado ڱ Collaborative-led four-part investigation by ChalkbeatColorado, The Colorado Sun and KFF Health ڱ into the collapsing system of schools that serve some of Colorado’s most vulnerable students. The state is now scrambling to shore up what are known as facility schools, which enroll thousands of students a year with intense mental and behavioral health needs. en-US Copyright KUNC/Community Radio for Northern Colorado 2020 Thu, 18 May 2023 12:07:00 GMT How Colorado is filling gaps as last-resort schools dwindle /news/2023-05-18/how-colorado-is-filling-gaps-as-last-resort-schools-dwindle Experts are hopeful a new state law will lead more facility schools to open. Meanwhile, school districts are creating their own programs, and creative and skilled educators are finding ways to meet students’ needs in traditional classrooms. Thu, 18 May 2023 12:07:00 GMT /news/2023-05-18/how-colorado-is-filling-gaps-as-last-resort-schools-dwindle Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado, and Rae Ellen Bichell, KFF Health ڱ Colorado is pouring funds into schools for kids with behavioral health issues and disabilities /news/2023-05-17/colorado-is-pouring-funds-into-schools-for-kids-with-behavioral-health-issues-and-disabilities The special schools have no central oversight and instead are the responsibility of multiple state agencies. A new law aims to increase accountability. Wed, 17 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT /news/2023-05-17/colorado-is-pouring-funds-into-schools-for-kids-with-behavioral-health-issues-and-disabilities Jennifer Brown, The Colorado Sun, and Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado Last Resort: Students in Rural Colorado Are Left Without Options as Specialized Schools Close /news/2023-05-16/last-resort-students-in-rural-colorado-are-left-without-options-as-specialized-schools-close Part 2 in a 4-part series by COLab, Chalkbeat, Colorado Sun and KFF Health ڱ focuses on hard hit rural Colorado. A new state law aims to keep the doors open at schools that accept students with intensive needs. One preteen in rural Colorado shows how the current system leaves some students bouncing between institutions far from home. Tue, 16 May 2023 12:02:00 GMT /news/2023-05-16/last-resort-students-in-rural-colorado-are-left-without-options-as-specialized-schools-close Rae Ellen Bichell and Helen Santoro | KFF Health ڱ Schools that take Colorado’s ‘most vulnerable’ students are disappearing. Can they be saved? /news/2023-05-15/schools-that-take-colorados-most-vulnerable-students-are-disappearing-can-they-be-saved Colorado is racing to save the schools that serve children whose home districts can’t or won’t meet their intense needs. This is part 1 in a four-part COLab, Chalkbeat, Colorado Sun and KFF Health ڱ series examining Colorado's collapsing system of schools that serve students with intense mental and behavioral health needs. Mon, 15 May 2023 12:31:00 GMT /news/2023-05-15/schools-that-take-colorados-most-vulnerable-students-are-disappearing-can-they-be-saved Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado promises $70 million over 3 years, hopes to see 12 new facility schools open /news/2023-05-15/colorado-promises-70-million-over-3-years-hopes-to-see-12-new-facility-schools-open The additional support will help the beleaguered facility school system grow by 40% statewide. Mon, 15 May 2023 12:30:00 GMT /news/2023-05-15/colorado-promises-70-million-over-3-years-hopes-to-see-12-new-facility-schools-open Jennifer Brown, The Colorado Sun