Health Education & Services

Served 462 in 2007

Health Education and Services became a new department at Mountain Resource Center in 2008 as a direct response to the growing need for access to health care for the uninsured and under insured residents in mountain communities between Evergreen, Morrison, Conifer, Kenosha Pass and Deckers.

For Health Assistance Call: 303-838-7552 x 21

The program is currently being developed and the website page pending.
Following is the press release:

Increasing Access to Health Care Project
- A grant to the Family Resource Center Association from The Colorado Health Foundation -

Background and Overview

Mountain Resource Center is part of a statewide association of family resource centers across Colorado who are members of the Family Resource Center Association (FRCA). In November 2007, FRCA received a 4.5 million dollar grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to be used by the Association’s 24 centers over a three-year period to improve health care in their communities.

 

Mountain Resource Center will receive $74,000 in the first year of the grant cycle.

Specifically these funds are earmarked to:

• Help under- and uninsured families in our community
  
• Identify and document barriers that block families from medical coverage or from finding “medical homes” (places that serve as a regular source of care)
  
• Hire and train health advocates to assist vulnerable families in obtaining quality health care. Advocates will:
  
  • work with local health partners, clinics and providers to identify insurance options and address barriers that block families from finding a regular source of health care
  • provide case management, health and education services

The project aims to help underserved families assume leadership in managing their wellness and advocating for their own healthcare needs.

 

Goals of the Project Help underserved families enroll in health insurance plans (Medicaid, CHP+, Medicare and others) that will promote regular, preventive visits to doctors and clinics and reduce visits to emergency rooms for health services Gather and document obstacles to health care Develop case management systems Establish long-lasting relationships with families who with support and training will take charge of their health

In Our Community

It is our goal to work collaboratively with all public, private, governmental and nonprofit organizations in our community to prevent duplication of services, and to expand, enrich and extend the services available to improve the health and well-being of all in need. We will begin by:

• Welcoming Kelly E. Hall, LPN as the new Health Services Director for MRC
• Establishing a community Health Services task force that will help us identify gaps in health services for the uninsured and under insured in our service area (Currently Mountain Resource Center has recruited Susan Brace, PHD, PsyD as the chair of the newly forming MRC Health Services Task Force, which will be working with MRC staff in making contacts with local healthcare providers and assessing community needs.)
  
• Replacing lost on-site health services for the uninsured, because of the closing of the Jefferson County Health Clinic
  
• Identifying uninsured & under insured residents to provide information, referrals and health services resources

The Family Resource Center Association provides public-policy advocacy, capacity building and resource development to bring help and hope to Colorado Families www.COfamilycenters.org

The Colorado Health Foundation works to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation by improving access to affordable, quality health care and encouraging Coloradoans to make healthier lifestyle choices. www.ColoradoHealth.org.