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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.

In this Edition 

• Deadline for Survive and Thrive Applications is March 28 
• Get Your Survive and Thrive Questions Answered!
• In-Person Evaluation Boosts ARPA's Understanding of Mental Health Grant Impact
• Transformative Care in Boulder County Communities: The Mayamotion Healing Approach 

Deadline for Survive and Thrive Applications is March 28  

Get Your Survive and Thrive Questions Answered! 

Need help navigating your Survive and Thrive application? Have questions about the program? We’re here to help. Join our virtual office hours with bilingual (English and Spanish) staff:

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – 12 to 1 p.m.  

In-Person Evaluation Boosts ARPA's Understanding of Mental Health Grant Impact 

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety. The accelerated pulse, the heightened awareness. It's a natural survival mechanism. But what happens when those same responses kick in when there's no real threat? Even something as simple as a Monday morning to-do list can set off that same fight-or-flight feeling. That's the reality for many; their body's alarm system seems always on high alert.

To provide guidance on these mental health issues, Natural Highs, a local nonprofit, offers the interactive community training called “Turn Anxiety into Your Superpower”. “We started this initiative because anxiety and depression have become an epidemic, and teaching the neuroscience behind stress and trauma to people of all ages is incredibly empowering,” said Avani Dilger, Licensed Professional Counselor and Natural Highs nonprofit founder.

In recognizing the critical need for equitable mental health support, ARPA awarded funds to nine organizations, including the local nonprofit organization Natural Highs, to provide mental health community trainings. With the ongoing implementation phase, the focus now turns to measuring the programs' success.

“The ARPA team is piloting an innovative way to conduct program evaluations that include in-person participation in some of these programs funded by the Equitable Access Mental Health community training grants,” Kim Strong, ARPA Team Senior Business Analyst, said.

As part of the ARPA team, Strong is actively involved in better understanding how these grantees are serving the community. “I attend as a member of the public, and I take notes about the qualitative part of the trainings, so we can share those stories about how ARPA is implementing transformative programs,” Kim explained.

One of the first things Strong noted is the accessibility of the program.

 The online registration made it easy to reserve her spot. “They made sure community members felt welcomed and supported. They had dinner available and invited the whole family so children could attend,” Strong said.

"With ARPA grants, Natural Highs is expanding services to offer the free community trauma trainings, including Acudetox/AcuWellness, a 5-needle acupuncture protocol for stress, anxiety, and trauma.” Strong added. “This training gave me a different understanding of how to use anxiety to my advantage and how we can use it to confront life's challenges as a tool."

The demand for mental health practitioners and the cost of appointments may discourage many from seeking help. However, these free community trainings can assist with the understanding and the management of mental health challenges, although they are not a substitute for professional care.

Backed by research, the presentation “Turn Anxiety into Your Superpower” teaches individuals coping skills for managing stress, anxiety, and trauma. Dilger explained, “Anxiety is the acknowledgment of a nervous system reaction that happens to us with what's currently happening encompassing news, social media, personal finances, health issues, and family relationships."

The presentation is available online. However, if you are interested in participating in these free community trainings, visit the Natural Highs website and sign up for Natural Highs emails to be notified when the next free “Turn Anxiety into Your Superpower” events are offered, both in English and in Spanish.

Transformative Care in Boulder County Communities: The Mayamotion Healing Approach

Mayamotion Healing (MMH), a Boulder County mental health nonprofit, is committed to creating a world of wellness, equity and inclusion. This commitment begins with empowering the community through mental health solutions, rooted in a vision described by founder Maya Sol Dansie as anything but ordinary. “Our healing-centered approach, rooted in decolonial practices, provides services at multiple levels. We offer systems-level consulting focused on racial justice and equity, as well as culturally grounded group psychotherapy for individuals, families, and couples.”

With a holistic approach, the organization ensures equitable access to care for rural, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and Spanish-speaking communities, recognizing that true change begins from within—mind, body, soul, and community. “We incorporate somatics—the power of connecting with and becoming more aware of one's body from the inside out—recognizing the essential mind-body connection for sustainable healing and well-being. This practice is woven into our approach, offering a way to connect with our bodies, the land, our community, and our culture,” Maya said.

Mayamotion intentionally designs and adapts its curricula to reflect the lived experiences of everyone they serve. “Sometimes people come to learn skills, techniques, and strategies for personal or familial growth,” added Maya. “Other times, we work with groups reckoning with rupture stemming from discrimination, racism, or other forms of community trauma.”

The Boulder County Community Services Department (BCCS) awarded ARPA funds last year to Mayamotion Healing, among other agencies, to promote equitable access to mental health services in Boulder County. Dansie said, "With ARPA funding, we aim to support mental health access for communities who traditionally lack culturally and linguistically appropriate resources.”

Rooted in the wisdom of Spanish-speaking Indigenous communities, Mayamotion acknowledges the struggles associated with immigration, racism, and systemic oppression. “Our goal,” Maya explains, “is to bridge the gaps and create more equitable access to mental health supports and public health resources, keeping our communities safe and strong.”

Recognizing the need for a holistic approach, Mayamotion creates safe spaces for individual, family, and collective healing. With ARPA support, the organization transitioned from a private practice to a group practice last year. “We now have five clinicians, all rooted in Mayamotion’s healing curricula, committed to social justice, and serving as bilingual, bicultural allies and clinicians of color,” added Maya.

Family therapy at Mayamotion incorporates parents, elders, grandparents, and their children. Navigating the insurance landscape, however, has presented a significant learning curve. As small mental health organizations like Mayamotion often face challenges competing with larger institutions. “We are building increasing confidence and trust within our communities,” Maya shares. “It is your human right to receive mental health support.”

Each clinician currently holds a caseload of 15 to 25 clients, with that number continuing to grow. Mayamotion’s reach has been significant, extending to community groups. Last year, the nonprofit hosted La Cumbre Juvenil, an intergenerational event that brought together over 100 high school students and featured workshops led by Indigenous and local community leaders. If you are interested in learning more about multiple resources and events for your community, visit the MayaMotion Healing website.

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