Health Colorado Inc.

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Chesley Sterling to the role of Director of Children, Youth, & Family Systems at Health Colorado. Chesley has been an invaluable member of our team for nearly two years, serving as a Crisis Resolution Team Care Coordinator. During this time, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of those we serve in crisis and on Medicaid. Her commitment to implementing a statewide pilot project and developing the infrastructure for the Region 4 Crisis Resolution Team has been instrumental in our success in serving children, youth, and families in crisis. She brings a unique skill set by navigating multiple systems such as child welfare, probation, courts, schools, mental health providers, Medicaid health plans, crisis services, etc. Utilizing her knowledge ensures collaboration across numerous systems to provide whole-person care to the children, youth, and families that we serve. In her new role, Chesley will oversee and advance our initiatives for children, youth, and families, driving strategic growth and enhancing our systems collaboration to serve individuals better and meet community needs. We are confident that her expertise and vision will continue to elevate our mission and impact. Please join us in congratulating Chesley Sterling on this well-deserved promotion! #HealthColorado #ChildrensMentalHealth #YouthDevelopment #FamilySupport

Health Colorado: Share the Vital 988 Mental Health Crisis Support Information Health Colorado ensures our members access essential mental health crisis support services. We urge you to share this important information about the 988 Lifeline with your networks. What is 988 and How Does it Work? - 988 is a new, easy-to-remember number for mental health crisis support. - - Whether you need help for yourself or are concerned about a loved one, you can call or text 988, or chat at [988lifeline.org](https://988lifeline.org). - No matter where you are in the U.S., 988 connects you to a caring, trained counselor 24/7. These counselors can assist with: ->Thoughts of suicide ->Mental health or substance use crises ->Emotional distress 988 Lifeline ensures you have the support you need whenever you need it. Help us spread the word about this critical resource. Share this post to raise awareness and ensure everyone knows about the support available through the 988 Lifeline. Together, we can make a difference! #MentalHealthMatters #CrisisSupport #YouAreNotAlone #988Lifeline #CommunityHealth Click this link to learn more! https://lnkd.in/g8Unk9VH

Health Colorado Recognizes Kelli! A Dedicated Member of the Member Engagement Advisory Council (MEAC) Health Colorado is proud to recognize MEAC Member Kelli. We had the pleasure of interviewing Kelli about her experiences with MEAC meetings, and here’s what she shared! Name: Kelli Age: 37 Hometown: Pueblo How did you first get involved with the MEAC meetings? "I don't remember exactly, I think I got an email invitation?" What motivates you to participate in the MEAC meetings each month? "I have always liked giving my opinion and helping shape the groundwork for how things are done, but the gift cards are a great bonus!" Can you share a memorable experience or achievement from your participation in MEAC meetings? "Because of my participation in the Member Engagement Advisory Council (MEAC), I had the opportunity to attend a Dancing With the Stars Pueblo event when some last minute tickets opened up. It was such a fun evening and I really enjoyed it." How do you think your contributions have impacted the Medicaid community? "I'm not sure, but hopefully I am helping to make the communication between the community and the corporation more easily accessible. I also hope to help the member's services be more beneficial in the areas that are needed and not waste resources on benefits that aren't being utilized." What do you enjoy most about being part of the MEAC? "I enjoy the group and the community that we have and that we are able to give our opinions without judgment and are able to listen to each other and work together to better a service that we all use." Do you have any advice for other Medicaid members who might be interested in joining the MEAC meetings? "Do it! It's a great way to get involved, especially if you have something that you don't like about Medicaid or you have something you wish was different about a service you receive (or maybe one you don't receive that you think should be added!). This is the place to start making those things known and advocating for a change. I have learned about several other benefits that I didn't even know I could receive, just through my participation in the MEAC group. Plus, you get a gift card for your participation and that's a sweet treat!" #MedicaidMember #MEAC #HealthColorado #HealthEquity

?? Grantee Recognition for CASA of Pueblo! ?? We are thrilled to announce that CASA of Pueblo, serving the counties of Pueblo, Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Bent, Crowley, and Otero, has been awarded a total of $55,800 from Health Colorado to help continue funding for vital programs. This support, led by our Executive Director, Zane Grant, is crucial in empowering our mission to advocate for the health and well-being of the youth in our community. Purpose This funding will provide essential salary support, data and software enhancements, and volunteer support across our three CASA programs. Our dedication to health advocacy is reflected in our Wellbeing Assessments, conducted three times a year, ensuring the social, educational, and health needs of our youth are met. Impact CASA volunteers are uniquely positioned to build rapport with children and identify special needs, disabilities, and family challenges. Through high-frequency in-home visits and comprehensive Wellbeing Reports via the secure Optima program, we develop detailed advocacy plans tailored to each child’s needs. Goals and Objectives Health and Development Advocacy: - 2023 Achievement: 85% of volunteers identified unique health needs, resulting in 74% of recommendations being implemented. - 2024 Goal: Achieve an 80% or higher health advocacy rate. Educational Advocacy: - 2023 Achievement: 98% of volunteers identified educational needs with 74% effective advocacy. - 2024 Goal: Maintain an 80% advocacy rate for educational needs. Extracurricular Activities: - 2023 Achievement: 95% of children were identified for extracurricular needs with 53% successful advocacy. - 2024 Goal: Increase advocacy to 60% for extracurricular activities. Wellness Checks: -> Ongoing Goal: Ensure a minimum of two home visits per month, targeting 95% compliance. Wellness Reporting: -> Ongoing Training: Conduct Wellbeing Assessment training three times a year for new volunteers and annually for current volunteers. Here at Health Colorado, we are proud of our CASA volunteers' dedication and positive impact on the lives of the youth we serve. Together, we are fostering healthier, more supportive environments for our children. Thank you for your continued support! #CASA #CommunitySupport #ChildAdvocacy #VolunteerImpact #Pueblo

Health Colorado Celebrates the Success of Pueblo Cooperative Care Center's "Sponsor a Senior Event" We are delighted to share the success of the "Sponsor a Senior Event" held on July 23, 2024, at the Pueblo Cooperative Care Center. This impactful event was dedicated to supporting homebound seniors in Pueblo who face challenges accessing food resources. The event raised significant funds for our Nutrition On Wheels (NOW) Program, which addresses our senior community's unique health, social, and nutritional needs. The NOW Program delivers food sacks and essential supplies to older adults who cannot visit distribution sites. Health Colorado was happy to help sponsor this cause, which aims to enhance seniors' quality of life by helping them stay healthy and remain independent in their homes for as long as possible. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants who made this event a tremendous success. Your mission and commitment have made a significant difference in the lives of our seniors, ensuring they have the resources they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. #SponsorASenior #PuebloCooperativeCareCenter #NutritionOnWheels #SupportOurSeniors #CommunityCare

Reflecting on the Statewide CMP Meeting hosted by Health Colorado last month, I'm still inspired by the spirit of collaboration and dedication we witnessed. This event brought together all RAEs and MSOs, highlighting our unified effort to put Members first. Our collective work continues to strengthen our community, ensuring our Members receive the best possible care and support. It was a fantastic opportunity to build a brighter future through partnership and dedication. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this milestone. Let's keep this momentum going!

Grantee Spotlight: Lake County Department of Human Services We are thrilled to spotlight the Lake County Department of Human Services as our June Grantee! Awarded $50,000, this grant supports their Wraparound program, addressing the urgent need for emergency shelter and housing in Lake County. In recent years, the Wraparound program has seen an increase in homeless youth and families. Last year alone, they served 12 unaccompanied youth and identified 58 families as homeless. With no homeless shelters in the county, securing funding for emergency shelters is a top priority. The program leverages various funding sources to coordinate care and immediate crisis stabilization, significantly benefiting local families, unaccompanied minors, and youth. This project aims to offer a secure and comfortable living environment for 15-20 families/unaccompanied youth during crises, supporting their well-being and success. The Wraparound unit also ensures timely Medicaid enrollment, reducing emergency room visits and overall Medicaid costs. In 2022, they served 74 individuals, 60% of whom were Medicaid enrolled. Through HCI's 2024 Health and Wellness Program funding, the Lake Wraparound program intends to establish an emergency transitional housing fund for distressed families. This initiative aims to bridge the gap left by existing funding sources, providing much-needed support to families experiencing homelessness. We commend the Lake County Department of Human Services's dedication to supporting our community! #HealthColorado #GranteeSpotlight #LakeCounty #WraparoundProgram #CommunitySupport #EmergencyHousing #Medicaid

?? Breaking News! ?? Health Colorado officially joins forces with Wisdo Health in our statewide campaign against social isolation. This collaboration opens doors to a transformative journey for Health Colorado members, offering them access to a free app called "Wisdo," an evidence-based peer support social health platform. Why is this partnership so powerful? Wisdo's platform has demonstrated its effectiveness in driving remarkable reductions in loneliness, depression, and anxiety rates. Moreover, it's proven to enhance the overall quality of life while seamlessly connecting individuals to crucial behavioral health resources. Incredible Fact: Over 13,000 adults across Colorado have already embraced the Wisdo platform, experiencing firsthand the profound impact it can have on mental well-being. Together, Health Colorado and Wisdo Health are poised to make a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals, nurturing stronger communities and healthier minds across our beautiful state. Let's unite in this mission to foster connection, support, and resilience! ?? #HealthColorado #WisdoHealth #MentalHealthMatters #CommunitySupport #EndLoneliness #ColoradoStrong

As we bid farewell to Erika Retzlaff, our esteemed Director of Community Engagement, I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for her incredible contributions to Health Colorado. Erika has been a pivotal part of our team, and her efforts in strengthening our community ties have left an indelible mark on our organization. Under Erika's leadership, we've seen significant enhancements in our community outreach programs, establishing partnerships that have benefited HCI and the broader community we serve. Her passion, dedication, and innovative approach to helping southern Colorado have been truly inspiring. Tomorrow marks Erika's last day with us as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. While we are sad to see her go, we are excited about her future. Please join me in wishing Erika the very best in her new endeavors. We are confident that she will continue to have a profound impact wherever she goes. Thank you, Erika, for everything. You will be greatly missed!

Today, on Administrative Professionals Day, Health Colorado sincerely expresses our deepest gratitude to the outstanding individuals essential to our operations. A special shout-out to Bonnie Myers (left), our esteemed Executive Admin, whose dedication and expertise continue to be instrumental in our success. We also want to recognize Heather Kilby (right) for her outstanding temporary admin support. On behalf of Health Colorado, thank you for all you do! #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay #HealthColorado #TeamAppreciation #ThankYou