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May 2025
Jeffco CTC Update
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Hello Jeffco CTC Coalition,
Welcome to May! Whether you are celebrating Mother's Day, graduation, Mental Health Awareness Month, rain, or warm weather, we hope you have a great month. Read below for more coalition updates!
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Congratulations to all of you!
It is such an honor for Jeffco CTC to be awarded the 2024 Public Health Champions Award. You do this work and you are the reason Jeffco CTC has been recognized in this way. You are amazing humans! This coalition is special, and it is a privilege to work with each of you.
As you know, the Trump administration has issued multiple executive orders and directives aimed at ending all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These values are the heart of the work we do together, and these values are why we received the 2024 Public Health Champions Award.
If we want to continue to do this vital work together, we need your help. As previously shared, Jeffco CTC is losing 28% of our revenue because we made the decision to forgo future federal funding. Therefore, we are asking you to consider making a donation to support Jeffco CTC. Please know, even a small contribution can make a big difference.
Join us to Act Now. Change Tomorrow. You can easily make a donation through this link or by using the donate button on our website. You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring monthly donation. We truly appreciate any support you can offer.
We also wanted to share some additional ways you can support Jeffco CTC:
Again, congratulations on being awarded a 2024 Public Health Champion. You deserve it!
| Congratulations to Jeffco CTC's New Leadership Team | |
Thank you all for running and voting for Jeffco CTC Leadership positions. Congratulations to the following:
- BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup Co-chairs
- Lisa Long
- Holly Rapp
- Data and Evaluation Workgroup Co-chair
- Marjorie Grimsley
- Executive Committee Board Co-Chairs
- Debby Bower
- Nick Taylor
- Policy and Advocacy Workgroup Co-chairs
- Kelsey Campbell
- Kari Eckert
- Recruitment and Community Engagement Workgroup Co-Chairs
- Jacki Paone
- Padma Polepeddi
Thank you all for taking on a leadership role with Jeffco CTC!
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Come join us Thursday, May 29th, at The Golden Mill (1012 Ford St. Golden, CO 80401) from 4 - 6 pm to celebrate our current, continuing, and recent co-chairs.
Come for light appetizers and good company. See you there!
| Congratulations to Dave Kollar - Recipient of a 2025 Good News Breakfast Award | |
Dave Kollar has been a champion of Jeffco CTC for many years, including as chair of the coalition. During his tenure, Dave provided unwavering leadership and helped the coalition navigate a challenging transition. The foundation Dave has helped to build for Jeffco CTC has allowed the coalition to move into a new chapter and be poised for great growth. Jeffco CTC would not be where it is today without Dave's dedication.
Thank you, Dave!
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Thank you for all that you do,
Jeffco CTC Team
| | Jeffco CTC is a coalition made up of community members, community leaders, youth, workgroup members, etc. Anyone who lives, plays, works, or goes to school in Jefferson County is welcome to be part of and attend coalition meetings. Coalition meetings may include updates from workgroups, time and space for workgroups to collaborate and coordinate their work, training, strategic planning, discussion and decision making, and all things related to Jeffco CTC. | |
April Update
- Reviewed coalition updates (above and below).
- Voted to elect leadership positions and approve a new operating agreement/bylaws.
Asks for You!
The coalition meets on the fourth Thursday of the following months from 4 - 5:30 PM.
- June
- August
- October
- December (The December meeting will be earlier in the month to account for the holidays.)
Please join us for the June Coalition meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 4 - 5:30 PM.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Coalition
| | Jeffco CTC’s Executive Committee is composed of each of the chairs of the coalition’s workgroups as well as co-chairs of the Committee. The Executive Committee provides leadership to the coalition, meeting monthly to discuss key issues, coordinate the collaboration of the workgroups, and provide oversight of the coalition's priorities. | | |
April Update
- Discussed budget and fundraising planning given significant known and anticipated funding cuts.
- Reviewed the compiled indicators for each focus area in preparation for sharing them with Jeffco Teens, Policy & Advocacy, and Data & Evaluation workgroups.
Asks for You!
The Executive Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM.
The next Executive Committee Meeting is Wednesday, May 21st, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
| | The Building Allyship and Diversity in Jeffco (BADJ) project is based on “Out for Safe Schools,” an LA LGBT Center national initiative. The BADJ project expands on the “Out for Safe Schools” concept to train adults who work with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth so they can be visibly identified as trusted adults. The Workgroup is exploring sustainability, including funding, support for current participants, and long-term planning. | | |
April Update
- Planned for Edgewater Pride community engagement event & support for current BADJ holders in 2025, including a survey to gather feedback on support needed.
Asks for You!
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Please email Emily (emilym@jeffcoctc.care) if you would like to help support Jeffco CTC's table at Edgewater Pride (June 7th, 10 - 2:30 pm)
The BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM.
The BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup met on May 6th. The next meeting is Tuesday, June 3rd, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the BADJ Project Ad Hoc Workgroup
| | Jeffco CTC’s Data and Evaluation workgroup reviews youth surveys as well as public data, including the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, to help the coalition select its priorities. The workgroup also monitors changes in community-level outcomes over time and administers the coalition’s evaluation plan to assess its processes and outcomes. | |
April Update
- Updated 10 custom questions for the Communities Organizing for Prevention Survey (COFP) to measure coalition members perceptions.
- Reviewed the Evaluation Plan and the five main Evaluation Questions. The Plan will be updated based on feedback.
Asks for You!
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We are excited to have Marjorie Grimsley as workgroup Co-chair! If you would like to be Co-chair alongside Margie, please email Emily (emilym@jeffcoctc.care) and Sasha (sashah@jeffcoctc.care) for more information.
The Data and Evaluation Workgroup meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM.
The Data and Evaluation Workgroup met on May 7th. The next meeting is Tuesday, June 4th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Data and Evaluation Workgroup
| | The Jeffco Teens workgroup allows youth (aged 11 - 22) to work with each other to identify projects and community issues focused on improving health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County. The workgroup allows youth to learn about coalition work and how they can work in partnership with other Jeffco CTC coalition members to impact the community. | | |
April Update
- Discussed intentions behind partnering with other youth groups in the community, specifically the APEX Center.
- Prepared to collaborate with the Apex Center's Youth Advisory Board on the creation of youth spaces.
The Jeffco Teens Workgroup meets on the first Thursday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM.
The Jeffco Teens Workgroup met on May 1st. The next meeting is Thursday, June 5th.
Email NadiaC@JeffcoCTC.care and Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Jeffco Teens Workgroup
| | Jeffco CTC’s Policy and Advocacy workgroup reviews and monitors local, state, and federal policy that affects the health and well-being of all youth in Jefferson County. The workgroup supports the coalition’s advocacy on policy changes that affect the systems impacting youth health, including adoption, implementation, and evaluation of policy change. | | Jeffco CTC’s Recruitment and Community Engagement workgroup supports youth and member engagement throughout the coalition. The workgroup also focuses on broader community outreach, communication, recruitment, and relationship building for the coalition. | |
April Update
- Worked on recruitment strategy.
- Talked more about high school outreach and confirmed we're on track timeline wise.
The Recruitment and Community Engagement Workgroup meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 - 5:30 PM.
The next Recruitment and Community Engagement Workgroup is Tuesday, May 13th, 4 - 5:30 PM, virtual on Zoom.
Email Info@JeffcoCTC.care to join the Recruitment and Community Engagement Workgroup
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According to participants at the 2024 Youth Town Hall, Jefferson County teens top worries are school/grades and the future. These are followed by acceptance/being liked, expectations/disappointing others/not being good enough, and friends.
If your teen could use additional support, free therapy is available through I Matter in Colorado. Youth being able to access therapy has never been easier, thanks to I Matter. I Matter is making it easy to get therapy and offers up to six FREE sessions with a licensed therapist to any young person in Colorado.
Signing up is easy: Youth, parents, or guardians can simply complete the 10-minute online survey to be matched with a therapist. If a young person in your life is having a hard time with their mental health, I Matter can help.
Visit IMatterColorado.org or YoImportoColorado.org to learn more about free therapy and to get started today.
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According to the CDC, four key elements to healthy coping include: making time to unwind, taking care of your body, connecting with others, and finding ways to calm stress and anxiety.
Ask your teen open ended questions like:
- How can I be there for you?
- What makes you hopeful about the future?
Learn more at: https://jeffcoctc.care/twelve-talks/mental-health/
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Jefferson County Public Health is seeking youth (aged 14 - 22) like YOU (or youth you know) who want to make a real difference by collaboratively designing and sharing authentic youth-centered content that addresses nicotine use and vaping while developing a supportive, non-judgmental community.
This is a great addition to resumes and college applications and youth are compensated for meetings.
| | Foothills Fire and Rescue Annual Pancake Breakfast | | |
The Foothills Fire and Rescue's Annual Pancake Breakfast is Coming Up.
- Sunday, June 1st, 8 am - 12 pm
- Lookout Mountain Fire Station, 67 South Lookout Mountain Rd. Golden, CO 80401
Come for pancakes, community information, family fun (including fire truck rides), and a silent auction.
Jeffco CTC will be there. Come say hi!
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Every time you shop at any of the 1,600+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Jefferson County Communities That Care. It's a free service, and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account.
Start iGiving at: www.iGive.com
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Emily Merewether
Coalition Manager
she/her
Nadia Crowley
Youth Engagement Coordinator
she/her
Sasha Hutchings
Executive Director
she/her
General Information
| | | Jefferson County Communities That Care's mission is -- in partnership with youth -- to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County. | |
About this Newsletter
This monthly newsletter, created by Jeffco CTC staff, is distributed to our coalition's mailing list which anyone can subscribe or unsubscribe to at any time. If you have a suggestion for an item to include in the newsletter, please email us.
Tips:
- View this newsletter as a webpage by clicking the link at the top or here: View as Webpage
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| | This project was created by the Jefferson County Communities That Care (Jeffco CTC) coalition, a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Jeffco CTC is funded through a Coalitions Organizing for Prevention grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and a Drug-Free Communities grant from the Centers for Disease Control. The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the grant providers. | | | | |
