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IN THIS EDITION
Did You Know?
Nurturing Futures Direct Cash Assistance Program to Begin Payments in October
American Rescue Plan Act
Boulder County Releases 2024 ARPA Recovery Plan Performance Report
Affordable Housing
Finding a Solution for Mobile Home Communities to Preserve Affordable Housing in Boulder County
Mental Health and Social Resilience
The Parent Engagement Network (PEN) is Building a Kinder, Safer Community for Kids
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Lea el Boletín en Español
For previously published newsletters, go to the ARPA webpage or click on this Newsroom link.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments are making an impact in our Boulder County communities by providing resources to people who were hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this newsletter, we share examples of the ARPA-supported work that is underway. We invite you to visit the Boulder County ARPA webpage
for additional information.
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Boulder County’s ARPA newsletter is now published bimonthly. You will now receive the ARPA publication every two months, which will still include articles, news, and stories to keep you informed about the investment of federal ARPA funds in our communities. |
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Nurturing Futures Direct Cash Assistance Program to Begin Payments in October |
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The Boulder County Human Services (BCHS) Department hosted an enrollment event at the St. Vrain Community Hub to assist families in applying for the Nurturing Futures direct cash assistance program. At the open enrollment community event, Boulder County Human Services staff answered questions about Nurturing Futures and assisted community members with the application process.
Nurturing Futures, known as Cultivando Futuros in Spanish, is designed to support low-income families in Boulder County by providing monthly cash payments. The program will offer $300 per month for two years to up to 725 eligible families with at least one child under the age of four.Funds can be used for any purpose the family deems necessary, such as childcare, food, medical expenses, housing, or other expenses. The program received more than 800 submissions before applications closed on August 27.
Qualified participants will be selected through a lottery system and notified by the end of September. All applicants will receive a text message or email notifying them of their selection status. Payments will begin in October.
KGNU Radio Highlights Nurturing Futures Program
Boulder County’s community radio station, KGNU, recently hosted a special episode of its Spanish-language program Pasa La Voz (Spread the Word) to highlight the new program aimed at supporting families with young children.
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Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin, Nurturing Futures Program Manager Emily Darrel, Bilingual Supervisor at the Sister Carmen Community Center Avi Ocampo, and Bilingual Communications Specialist for BCHS Sebastian Sifuentes, joined the show to discuss Nurturing Futures.
During the hour-long interview, guests talked about the pressing needs of underserved communities in Boulder County and how cash assistance can make a significant difference in the lives of families. They also outlined the application process and eligibility requirements for the Nurturing Futures program.
To listen the interview, visit Pasa La Voz - KGNU website.
Pictured left to right above: Sebastian Sifuentes, Bilingual Communications Specialist for BCHS, Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin, Avi Ocampo, Bilingual Supervisor at the Sister Carmen Community Center and Emily Darrel, Nurturing Futures Program Manager.
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Boulder County Releases 2024 ARPA Recovery Plan Performance Report |
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Boulder County released its 2024 ARPA Recovery Plan Performance Report, detailing the allocation of federal funds to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report outlines programs to address housing affordability, mental health and social resilience, and economic challenges, and to ensure equitable recovery throughout the county.
“Boulder County has awarded and allocated its full $63,359,749 in federal ARPA SLFRF funding received from Treasury and 96% of all Phase 2 recovery projects are either active or are preparing for launch in 2024,” said Commissioner Marta Loachamin. “The report also emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to ensure this recovery reaches all corners of the county.”
American Rescue Plan Act-funded programs include support for vulnerable communities in Boulder County like the new direct cash assistance program, Nurturing Futures, that will provide $300 per month to up to 725 low-income families.
ARPA-funded programs also promote affordable housing. Boulder County’s housing affordability programs include improvements to the living conditions at Casa de la Esperanza, a 32-unit residential complex in Longmont dedicated to housing and supporting agricultural workers and their families. Additionally, the Mobile Home Communities (MHCs) repair and rehab program and Willoughby Corner, Boulder County Housing Authority’s (BCHA) newest development of 400 below-market-rate rental and permanently affordable for-sale homes, are also part of these efforts.
The report provides detailed information on the new, free mental health programs available to Boulder County residents through WellMind Connection and the Crisis Assistance and Treatment (CAT) teams. These services are offered in both English and Spanish. Additionally, the report outlines actions to support child care services, including the renovation of the YMCA Boulder Mapleton site to expand child care capacity and the creation of the Longmont Child Care Hub.
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Maria Gabriela Gutiérrez has called Boulder County home for more than two decades. She and her family settled in the small mobile home community of Columbine after seeking guidance from friends and family. The affordable prices of mobile homes offered Maria and her family the opportunity to achieve their dream of owning a home.
"In this neighborhood, everything is so peaceful," Gutiérrez said. "I have my own space and privacy."
Owning their mobile home in Columbine has been a significant accomplishment. However, aging mobile homes often come with their own set of challenges. A 2023 survey conducted by Boulder County and the University of Colorado, in mobile home communities in Longmont and Lafayette, revealed that most respondents (59%) assessed their homes as being in fair (34%) or poor/bad (25%) condition. Additionally, nearly all respondents identified multiple areas in need of repair, with roof repairs being a particularly common issue (43%).
The survey highlighted the economic vulnerability of mobile home residents. Approximately 70% of respondents reported a yearly household income below $40,000, a stark contrast to the county's median income of $92,466. Many of these residents are aging adults on fixed incomes, and a significant portion (65%) identify as Hispanic/Latino.
For Maria, extreme weather conditions have worsened her property’s condition, and roofing problems have added to the stress of living in the cold winter months.
Pilot Program Provides Critical Support to Underserved Mobile Home Communities in Boulder County
In response to these challenges for mobile home owners, Boulder County launched the Mobile Home Communities program last year. The program aims to repair and rehabilitate manufactured and mobile homes across the county. Currently in its pilot phase, the program has already shown its potential to make a positive impact. Maria recently received a new roof through the MHCs program."I never thought this kind of support was possible," Maria said. "It's a huge relief to finally have this assistance."
"Over the past few months, our program has focused on two mobile home communities: Columbine and Orchard Grove. To date, we've successfully completed repair and rehabilitation work on 35 units across both mobile home communities,” said Francisco Padilla, Mobile Home Communities program manager for the Boulder County Department of Housing Services.
According to Padilla, many of the homes in these communities are over 50 years old, and years of deferred maintenance have led to unexpected problems, including high humidity, pest infestations, mold, and structural deterioration. “These emergency repairs have significantly improved the condition of these homes, positively impacting the lives of the families living there.”
In addition to assessing individual property needs, the pilot program provided valuable insights into how funding could be more effectively allocated to support families residing in mobile home communities.
Boulder County's $400,000 pilot program— made possible with ARPA funding — is nearing its end and has made progress in improving the health, safety, and accessibility of mobile home communities in Columbine and Orchard Groove by prioritizing health and safety measures, energy efficiency, and code compliance.
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Parenthood, often idealized as a blissful journey, is often intertwined with love, joy, and many challenges. Parents navigate unique challenges that shape their lives and their children's. Teenagers and young adults today face a particular set of trials, ranging from navigating social relationships within the digital landscape to confronting the risks of drug and alcohol exposure.
In Boulder County, the Parent Engagement Network (PEN) offers support for parents seeking guidance on how to adapt and acquire skills to bring their best self to face today’s parenting challenges. "We provide them with tools, research, connections, and information they can use to help themselves and their children," says Stacy Cornay, executive director for PEN.
Paula Nelson, PEN’s founder, and program director, emphasizes the importance of removing shame and guilt when asking for help. "We want parents to know that they're doing the best they can with the resources they have," Nelson says.
The organization embraces parents and caregivers letting them know that, in this journey, they're not alone. "PEN has four key pillars to address the most pressing issues in our current landscape," explains Paula. “These topics are building resilient families, parenting in the digital age, managing stress and anxiety, and addressing substance use,” Nelson said.
The topics are discussed in a judgment free environment within a community that supports parents no matter what challenges they are facing. PEN's approach includes workshops, music, dance, and theater.
PEN recently launched the Human Kindness Initiative to foster a community where children feel safe and connected. "We've created 12 events to provide real solutions to parents seeking answers," Nelson said. The kickoff event features a presentation by author Rosalind Wiseman, national speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of nine books including “Queen Bees and Wannabees”. The Human Kindness Initiative kickoff, on September 24, features Wiseman’s conversation: Raising Our Village: Creating a Culture of Dignity with Young People. "We designed the Human Kindness Initiative to build kindness into our communities and our interactions. We need to bring kindness back. It benefits our families, our parents, and everyone," Cornay said.
PEN is a recipient of a new grant program supported by the Boulder County Community Services Department (BCCS). This grant, funded by the ARPA Mental Health and Social Resilience category of the Phase 2 Pandemic Recovery and Relief Projects, aims to promote more equitable access to mental and behavioral health services.
The Human Kindness Initiative Kickoff is next September 24 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Boulder Jewish Community Center. Free tickets are available. Use the promo code COMPDIGNITY when registering for the event to claim your complimentary pass.
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