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 A Note from the CEO
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Dear Friends & Supporters,
I have excellent news to share with you! Community First Foundation has awarded Community Reach Center's integrated pediatric primary care program - Mountainland Pediatrics - a grant in the amount of $150,000 over two years to support the Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Practices: Ages Zero to Five Initiative.
Community Reach Center purchased Mountainland Pediatrics (MLP) in 2008 with the express purpose of developing an integrated primary care and mental health practice. MLP has been at the forefront of integration. Over the first two years, MLP and Community Reach Center worked to fully integrate a psychologist into the care team.
The "so what" about integration is that it means a care team treats the whole person/family and can address physical health care needs, life stressors, mental health and substance use/abuse issues via one care plan in one office. Community Reach Center is currently the only behavioral healthcare agency in the Rocky Mountain Region to fully integrate primary pediatric care into its system of care.
MLP has a strong commitment to screening and early intervention. Funds from this grant will allow us to expand and refine our services in the following ways:
- Train all medical staff to be adept at the recognition of early childhood developmental issues, leading to better detection of issues that may not be initially discovered via traditional screening tools alone.
- Train all medical staff in how to present information to parents about any delays detected in their child.
- Develop a strategy to improve parents' follow through on referrals to at least 60%, which is the current Colorado average. Additionally, the grant will help eliminate major barriers to access by helping families offset the cost of transportation and child care as needed.
- Improve ease of access and use of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) - a family-friendly way to screen children for developmental delays between one month and 5½ years. Electronic access to the ASQ will be developed so parents can complete the ASQ online before their scheduled Well Child Check, or complete it in the office on an iPad that would then directly import the results into our EHR and also enable electronic transmission of the ASQ with any referrals.
- Analyze data specifically on our 0-5 year old population to identify trends and propose a Quality Improvement project to address improvement in the identification and treatment of young children.
- Participate in the Reach Out and Read program, which provides an age appropriate book to children starting at the age of 6 months at each Well Child Check until the age of 5 years. Medical Providers provide education to parents on the importance of reading to their child as a way to prepare them for kindergarten.
The downstream effect of early intervention and treatment of development delays for children is HUGE in terms of setting them up for optimal academic achievement, reduced substance abuse and better overall health and wellness. We are profoundly grateful to Community First Foundation for their support of this important initiative.
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Regards,
Rick Doucet
CEO, Community Reach Center
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Community Reach launches Autism Spectrum Disorder Program
The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program at Community Reach Center is dedicated to the compassionate support and treatment of children ages 2-12 years with an ASD diagnosis and their families.
What Is Autism? What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
According to Autism Speaks, ASD and Autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development that are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. These disorders used to be labeled as distinct sub-types, including Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. In May 2013 the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) merged all Autism disorders into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD.
Community Reach Center's ASD Program specializes in culturally competent evaluation and treatment of children with an ASD diagnosis and their families. The multi-disciplinary ASD team is comprised of Licensed Psychologists, Care Navigators, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and Child and Family Therapists. If necessary, the ASD team can also provide referrals to outside professionals such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychiatrists, and case managers.
Assessments and services are provided at 8889 Fox Dr., Thornton, CO 80260 and include:
- Initial intake evaluation and early developmental screenings
- Care Navigation
- Diagnostic evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist
- Home-based intensive behavior therapy services
- Group support and therapy for children and caregivers
- Parent and family therapy to develop coping skills and resiliency for families supporting their autistic children.
- Crisis support 24/7/365, as needed.
If you have concerns regarding your child and Autism, and your child's primary care physician or other professional has identified risk for ASD through early screenings, please contact the ASD Program at Community Reach Center. Together, we will decide the appropriate steps to take to get the support needed.
Click here for more information, or contact
Loretta Bozeman, LMFT
ASD, Program Supervisor, at 303-853-3762.
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Target.com Gift Registry Goes Live for Consumer Holiday Gifts!
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Space Available in Mental Health First Classes!
Community Reach Center offers MHFA classes monthly - FREE of charge for anyone who lives or works in Adams County. Join the more than 20,000 Coloradoans currently certified in MHFA.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is a fast-paced, dynamic class that teaches you to recognize risk factors and warning signs for a range of behavioral health problems - PLUS a five-step Action Plan to provide basic assistance to someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
The MHFA course is designed for the general public. The Adult Module covers depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and substance use disorders. The Youth Module is for anyone who is involved with adolescents and covers various mental health challenges common among youth 12 to 18 years of age. All modules teach the evidence-based five-step Action Plan.
CLICK HERE to view the MHFA class schedule. More class dates are frequently added to this site.
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Parent Workshop: How to talk with your teen about substance use
The perfect workshop for parents or guardians committed to preventing substance use in their teens - and for those currently facing this issue who want to learn how to motivate and support behavioral change for their teen.
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Community Reach Center is a top-tier behavioral health and wellness provider serving people all ages at seven outpatient offices and over 100 community-based sites throughout Adams County, Colorado. The Center has worked diligently to preserve and promote a commitment to excellence, professionalism and integrity within our community healthcare system for nearly 60 years - currently serving more than 13,000 individuals annually throughout the northern Denver metro area. We currently employ more than 500 highly trained professionals committed to providing you with real help for real life.
At Community Reach Center, you have access to nearly 100 programs that address behavioral health issues such as clinical depression, postpartum depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorder. Services include counseling for individuals, couples, and families.
The Center is a leading integrated care partner in Colorado - meaning that you have convenient access to mental healthcare, primary medical care and even dental services in one location at dozens of clinics throughout the north Denver metro area. Integrated care provides you with a better healthcare experience at a lower cost, and improved overall health and recovery. Integrated pediatric care is available at Mountainland Pediatrics - Community Reach Center's pediatric care affiliate.
Community Reach Center accepts most major insurance providers, including Medicaid, Medicare, and most major credit cards. For those without insurance, the Center also has an ability-to-pay policy based on income, size of family, and other factors.
A healthy mind needs a healthy body. Strengthen both at Community Reach Center - your total health connection!
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