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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
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View previously published ARPA newsletters.
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
- Boulder County's Survive and Thrive Program Awards $7.8 Million in Grants to Support Child Care and Nonprofits
- Boulder County Family Connects: 1,000 Visits Strong
- WellMind Connection New Campaign to Support Community Mental Health
- ARPA-funded programs present at the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Longmont
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Boulder County's Survive and Thrive Program Awards $7.8 Million in Grants to Support Child Care and Nonprofits
 Boulder County Human Services is pleased to announce that the Survive and Thrive program is awarding $7.8 million in grants to local child care providers and nonprofit organizations across Boulder County. These funds, supported by Boulder County and the City of Boulder's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations, are intended to provide essential support to child cares and nonprofits as they continue to recover from the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grant recipients include licensed child care providers, unlicensed family, friend, and neighbor providers, and nonprofits providing safety-net services. These funds are designed to help address continued economic strain from the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding will be distributed across three groups of service providers, as follows:
- Licensed Child Care providers: $3,990,000
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Unlicensed Family, Friend, and Neighbor Providers: $210,000
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Nonprofit Organizations: $3,600,000
The amount of funding awarded is based on various factors, including the negative impact experienced due to the pandemic, the population served, and the services provided. With this funding, organizations will be better equipped to navigate a changing economic landscape and continue providing valuable services and support to the Boulder County community.
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Boulder County Family Connects: 1,000 Visits Strong
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Family Connects is a program offering voluntary home visits from registered nurses for all Colorado families with newborns, and it just achieved a major milestone: The Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) program has now provided more than 1,000 home visits to families in Boulder County. "Meeting this milestone means we are getting out in the community, helping our clients connect with the right resources, and giving the professional care they need,” said Tina Cartelli, Family Connects Nurse Lead.
From weight checks and safe sleep guidance to understanding childcare options, the program is designed to support newborns and their families during the critical first weeks after birth. Felicia Cain, Family Connects Program Coordinator at BCPH, said, “The fourth trimester—the first three months after giving birth—is a tender moment that lays the foundation for the rest of life, not just for the newborn, but for the mother, father, siblings, and primary caregivers, too. It's a time when the health of the newborn and mother, or primary caregiver, is intertwined. It's a vital period where growth, development, and healing take place.”
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For Cecilia Escobar, first-time mom and program beneficiary, one of the tips she valued the most was how to manage her baby’s fussiness. “Since I had a C-section and my husband had to leave for work, I needed to learn ways to make the baby comfortable. This was the best!”
Boulder County is the only Family Connects program in Colorado to offer Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) consultation. “Helping a mom with her mental health and providing resources during the postpartum time is crucial,” Cartelli said. “We provide resources, including infant early childhood mental health consultants, to support our families.”
The innovative service is not included in the standard Family Connects model but has helped Boulder County families to address postpartum depression and other mental health challenges difficult to identify in these first months.
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This service provides parents and caregivers with an unparalleled support system during the critical transition period after a baby is born. “Too many families struggle alone and don't know where to turn for help, and Family Connects is an important service that shows up for families during a pivotal moment,” Cain said.
The BCPH program is open to all families in Boulder and Broomfield Counties who give birth or adopt at a county hospital, including immigrants and refugees. With the support of local and state leaders, Family Connects is today a model to follow. Cain added, “My hope is that we will see increased demand for our service and secure sustainable funding.”
For more information about the Family Connects program, visit the Family Connects website or schedule a Family Connects visit.
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WellMind Connection New Campaign to Support Community Mental Health |
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WellMind Connection and the Crisis Assistance and Treatment (CAT) team launched a new promotional campaign aimed at supporting mental health within the Boulder County community. The campaign, developed by the advertising and design agency Mise Studio, seeks to connect individuals with images and messages to help them find timely mental health support.
The campaign's development involved a thorough discovery process, including interviews with community leaders and team members, to understand the audience's needs and how to effectively communicate the message of support.
“It was important to us because mental health carries so much stigma,” said Aly Lopez, Mise Studio co-founder. “We are looking to connect with our audience whether they're dealing with trouble at home or relationship issues— or financial problems— and let them know that WellMind Connection is there for them."
WellMind Connection provides comprehensive mental health support in Boulder County, offering services such as a 24/7 crisis line and a walk-in center for immediate crisis intervention. Their bilingual team of English- and Spanish-speaking experts serves individuals seeking behavioral health, mental health, or substance use treatment. This new campaign aims to help people identify these resources for the community.
 The creative executions of the campaign feature visuals and language designed to be relatable and approachable.
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 "We describe things in metaphor with visual representations of thoughts of stress and anxiety and everything that surrounds our mental health so people can identify themselves in these situations and know that there is nothing wrong if they ask for help.” Michelle Azzi, Mise Studio co-founder, said.
The campaign will utilize a mix of digital and social media platforms, including local podcasts and Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram, to reach a broad audience within Boulder County. The social media ads will run during WellMind's operating hours to maximize relevance and timelines.
In addition to the digital campaign, Mise Studio is developing bilingual collateral materials, such as postcards and brochures, to support community outreach efforts. These materials will be available for WellMind and CAT to distribute at community events and to partner organizations.
The WellMind Connection and CAT campaign represents a collaborative effort to address mental health needs in Boulder County with empathy and practical support, aiming to connect people with vital mental health services.
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ARPA-funded programs present at the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Longmont |
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Saturday, May 3rd, Longmont marked its 22nd year of celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a lively festival showcasing Mexican culture.
Families enjoyed a full day of traditional shows, engaging kids' activities, a popular car show, and entertainment designed for all ages.
Adding to the community focus, Boulder County staff participated by sharing details about ARPA programs and other valuable services available to residents.
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