All Access Wellness creates equitable community access to integrated wellness services.

All Access Wellness (AAW) will continue and enhance the established program for uninsured and underinsured children, youth and families in rural Jefferson and frontier Park counties, which was facilitated with funds from El Pomar foundation from June 2021- November 2022. This program provides financial support for clients who cannot initiate or maintain mental or behavioral health services due to financial barriers such as being uninsured or underinsured (high copays or deductibles). AAW, with contracted staff at Conifer Counseling, recruited more than 20 behavioral health providers in the foothills to participate in this program, called the Wellness Collaborative. AAW created a referral system and developed an invoicing and tracking system. Approved providers applied for funds on behalf of their clients by demonstrating financial need. Providers were expected to create a long-term sustainability plan with their clients such as obtaining benefits or employment, or in successfully completing treatment.

The program aims to reach populations in our rural mountain (mountain Jefferson and Park) communities that are diverse socioeconomically and very isolated, which has exacerbated the impact of Covid-19 for many mountain families. We know that financial struggles and isolation are risk factors for domestic violence, substance use, and child abuse/neglect. Complications due to this pandemic have already caused a spike in severe child abuse cases, law enforcement calls regarding domestic violence, calls to crisis lines, and completed suicides. There is a dearth of quality mental health services in rural Colorado, especially frontier Park County. Quality and trauma informed mental wellness services are imperative to combat the daunting impacts of Covid-19 in our mountain communities. AAW is well positioned to respond to the unique and complex needs of the members of our communities as we partner with providers who already serve families with Medicaid insurance and those connected to our local nonprofits. The director of Park County Human Services and the Boys and Girls Club of the High Rockies (BGCHR) report that 25% of Park County residents are receiving Medicaid benefits and 70% of school aged children attending BGCHR are on free or reduced lunch. AAW’s no cost therapeutic services for the uninsured and underinsured will be aimed to assist community members with financial barriers to accessing outpatient services to now include community members impacted by the PHE unwind starting March 2023. The outpatient services provided will be affirmative and inclusive.

Conifer Counseling, AAW's contracted agency, has been a valued, service minded, fixture in our community since 2012, established as one of the primary referral sources for programs working with our most vulnerable populations, such as Park Family Connections (PFC, HB1451); the Mountain Resource Center (MRC); Park County Department of Human Services, child welfare and probation; Boys & Girls Clubs of the High Rockies (BGCHR), Foundation 1023, and PeaceWorks Domestic Violence Shelter. Conifer Counseling has trusted referral systems with these entities and established programs, such as the Love and Logic parenting program designed and implemented together with BGCHR since 2017 (funded for two years by Caring for Colorado). Sara Peterson, Executive Director, sits on the Board for the Park County Mental Health Alliance and chairs its Outreach committee, which is a testament to her respected responsiveness, service, leadership and trust within the community. Sara also has close connections with Diversus Health, CCHA, and Beacon. Conifer Counseling, by way of AAW, has secured thorough connections with over 20 providers from Conifer to Fairplay to cohesively work to meet the behavioral health needs of the rural mountain foothills communities. These partnerships are embedded in the community, which is essential in reaching isolated vulnerable members.