DENVER (Sept. 28, 2020) — The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) awarded nearly $4.3 million in grants to fund 26 prevention programs that serve Colorado youth and families, some of which are receiving OBH funds for the first time.
OBH funds prevention programs that aim to lower rates of substance misuse by promoting the wellbeing of children and families.
“Prevention programs are a powerful way to combat substance use because they build and strengthen support systems for Coloradans,” said Robert Werthwein, director of OBH. “We know early and proactive intervention can help Colorado families become more resilient to stressors in their lives, especially during these challenging times.”
The five-year awards range from $100,000 to $200,000 per year and support programs in three categories: priority population (one or more historically marginalized groups); evidenced-based programs; and under-resourced high-needs (URHN) programs. In all, grantees include 14 county agencies and 12 organizations across the state.
In February 2018 OBH released a statewide needs assessment conducted by the Colorado Health Institute that identified counties with the highest risk factors for substance use disorder and gaps in prevention funding. The findings informed the selection of URHN program counties, which are receiving OBH funds for the first time through noncompetitive intergovernmental agreements.
The following grantees are broken out by program category. Intended projects may change based on evolving community needs.
Under-Resourced High-Needs Programs
Bent County
Award Amount: $100,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Form a coalition and enhance prosocial opportunities for youth
Clear Creek County
Award Amount: $120,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Increase prosocial opportunities for youth and enhance local youth leadership opportunities
Custer County
Award Amount: $100,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Botvin Lifeskills programming in the school district; offer Nurturing Parents programming and supplement prosocial activities in the community
Fremont County
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Partner with local nonprofits to implement evidence-based programming to youth
Huerfano County
Award Amount: $100,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Botvin Lifeskills programming and educate community about importance of increasing protective factors
Gilpin County
Award Amount: $150,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Botvin Lifeskills and Sources of Strength programming and bolster prosocial activities for youth
Park County
Award Amount: $150,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Form a substance abuse coalition to examine and address social host liability laws in the county
Prowers County
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Form a coalition to address marijuana paraphernalia sales and make social-emotional learning a part of the school district faculty’s competencies
Teller County
Award Amount: $170,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Keepin’ it REAL, Media Ready and Project Towards No Drug Abuse programming
Priority Populations Programs
Delta Montrose Youth Services, Montrose
Award Amount: $145,547 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement mentoring services and Positive Action programming
Rocky Mountain Youth Services, Steamboat Springs
Award Amount: $174,707 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement experiential and immersive learning through team-centered service projects
Gunnison Valley Mentors, Gunnison
Award Amount: $175,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement mentoring services, wraparound services and parent/youth education components
Teens Inc, Nederland
Award Amount: $158,648 per year for five years
Intended Project: Teens Inc will be implementing social emotional learning
Community Health Initiatives, Glenwood Springs
Award Amount: $174,707 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement FOCUS program to military families to help build resiliency and identify, manage and discuss emotions
Larimer County Partners, Fort Collins
Award Amount: $121,046 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement mentoring services and Botvin Lifeskills programming
Health Promotions at the University of Colorado Boulder
Award Amount: $139,145 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement brief alcohol screenings and interventions for college students
Evidence-Based Programs and Policies
Boulder County Public Health
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Work to limit the density of alcohol retailers in Boulder County and implement Active Parenting and Nurturing Parenting programming
Mountain Youth, Eagle
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement a comprehensive community-based prevention program based in Eagle
Full Circle of Lake County, Leadville
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Active Parenting and Nurturing Parenting programming
Denver Public Schools
Award Amount: $199,950 per year for five years
Project: Fund evidence-based programming in 28 schools, including Positive Action and Botvin Lifeskills programming
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Pueblo
Award Amount: $171,237 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement ACES education and Nurturing Parenting programming
Chaffee County Human Services Family and Youth Initiative, Salida
Award Amount: $199,194 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement a comprehensive social emotional learning model
Colorado Meth Project, Rise Above
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Fund social norming campaigns that address substance abuse throughout the state
Summit County, Family and Intercultural Resource Center, Silverthorne
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement parenting programs
Crossroads Turning Points, Pueblo
Award Amount: $200,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Botvin Lifeskills and Project Towards No Drug Abuse youth and prosocial alternative activities
I Have a Dream Foundation, Boulder
Award Amount: $150,000 per year for five years
Intended Project: Implement Lifeskills and Active Parenting programming
About OBH Community Prevention and Early Intervention Programs: OBH Community Prevention and Early Intervention Programs (OBH-CPEI) are committed to promoting the health and safety of Colorado citizens by working with community partners to improve access to high quality primary prevention of substance misuse programs. For more information on primary prevention in Colorado please visit our website.
Media contact:
Mark Techmeyer, Director of Communications
mark.techmeyer@state.co.us
303.870.7142