2 Advocacy 3 Increasing Rural Access
Generous Donor Elevates Pediatric Mental Health as a Policy Issue
Anonymous Donor Aims to Change the Future for Children in La Plata County
The public’ s urgency to address our state’ s youth mental health is high— 70 % of voters acknowledge the crisis; 66 % want bolder action. Yet political attention on mental health care for kids remains scarce.
Thanks to a significant investment from a generous donor family, we stand ready to drive lasting reform with the state’ s strongest team in youth mental health advocacy, trusted across healthcare, education, and government. We are undertaking an 18-month, statewide public campaign to make youth mental health a top-tier policy priority.
Together, we will unite leaders, mobilize voters, and lay the groundwork for sustainable public investment. This ambitious campaign aims to shape policy and funding with expert research and advocacy and align key stakeholders to a single shared vision to address the most urgent needs of Colorado’ s youth and families.
Today, too many young people in La Plata County are facing serious mental health challenges, with one of the highest youth suicide-attempt rates in the state.
Children and families cannot wait for better mental health services. With philanthropic support, Children’ s Colorado is collaborating with local partners to expand access to mental health services in La Plata County, which could include initiatives such as strengthening regional partnerships for coordinated care; expanding access through telehealth; hosting a mental health conference; expanding the presence of licensed mental health professionals; enhancing school-based services; hosting parent workshops to empower caregivers; and encouraging youth engagement to reduce stigma.
Denver
Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, gifts in support of pediatric mental health in La Plata County through Dec. 31, 2025, will help unlock a dollar-for-dollar challenge match up to $ 200,000. Time is running out to double your impact and help Children’ s Colorado secure $ 200,000 in matching funds. Contact James Bjorklund, Senior Director, Southern Colorado, at jbjorklund @ childrenscoloradofoundation. org, today.
Colorado Springs
La Plata County
This donor committed $ 500,000 as a challenge gift toward our advocacy vision as a dollar-for-dollar match. If pediatric mental health care advocacy is your passion, learn more about directing your giving to this effort and help us secure matching funds by contacting Kelly Hercher, Philanthropy Director, at khercher @ childrenscoloradofoundation. org.
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