Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) supports equitable access to mental health services in Boulder County and improve community reach and access

• ARPA awarded $500,000 mental health trainings to expand or create services for Boulder County residents to nine agencies.
• The selected nine community-based organizations to participate in the program will provide mental health awareness trainings free of charge.
• The equitable access to mental and behavioral health services will support historically underserved communities and decrease the stigma associated with mental and behavioral health.

Boulder County, Colo – The Boulder County Community Services Department (BCCS) is proud to announce the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded mental health awareness trainings now available for Boulder County residents. BCCS selected nine innovative agencies to provide accessible and transformative mental health awareness trainings and support to traditionally marginalized communities in Boulder County.

As part of the greater ARPA mental health and social resilience project to support more equitable access to mental and behavioral health needs, Boulder County is funding mental health awareness trainings to empower Boulder County communities by equipping individuals to effectively support people from all cultures, languages, abilities, races, ethnicities, and other diverse backgrounds.

Maya Sol Dansie, founder of Mayamotion Healing —one these selected agencies— shared, "Thanks to ARPA funding, we've been able to hire four new clinicians. Each is currently working with 15 to 25 clients, and we anticipate this capacity will continue to grow."

Avani Dilger, founder of the Natural Highs agency, also participating in the program, added, “We are extremely grateful to Boulder County's ARPA process that it allowed small grassroots nonprofits like ours to apply and make that connection right.”

The ARPA Mental Health Awareness Trainings program is designed to ensure equitable access to care for rural, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities. This program aims to broaden the reach of service delivery by supporting community-based organizations that provide appropriate services in trusted and comfortable settings.

To make the grant process more equitable and accessible, Boulder County adopted a simplified application process for community agencies and individuals to participate and ensure that the trainings would be delivered by agencies committed to equity and innovation.

Impactful Mental Health Grants for Boulder County Community

The nine local agencies selected for the mental health awareness trainings represent a diverse group of organizations that share a commitment to equity and innovation. Their connection to underserved communities will provide timely access to mental health services tailored to the specific needs of residents in Boulder County. The agencies below have been awarded funding for the following services:

• BOULDERMIND: Mental health awareness and support to rural communities
• Luna Cultura: Mental health awareness trainings for Spanish-speaking and Latinx, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals
• Mayamotion: Mental health focusing on BIPOC youth
• CLINICA Family Health and Wellness: Youth-specific issues and effective intervention strategies
• NAMI: Diverse training and support
• Natural Highs: AcuDetox/AcuWellness trainings with mentors in English and Spanish
• Peak to Peak: Mental Health First Aid and trainings at the Nederland Community Center
• Parent Engagement Network:Educational programs for Boulder County families
• PEN and Hope Coalition: Educational programs on mental health topics such as depression, suicide prevention, and substance use.

For residents interested in learning more about these trainings, visit each agencies’ website or check for updates on the BCCS website.

For more information specific to ARPA funding and mental health awareness training grants, contact Marnie Huffman-Green at mhuffmangreen@bouldercounty.gov.