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Health Coalition of the Gunnison Valley
The Health Coalition of the Gunnison Valley is a collaborative community effort, with partners ranging from XXXXXX that aims to bolster community health and wellness efforts in the Gunnison Valley. The three sub-groups (health and wellness, basic needs, and positive youth development) meet regularly to determine action steps that can be taken to address any relevant gaps associated with each group. To get involved and learn more, continue reading below.
Rural Communities Opiod Response Program
In the summer of 2019, the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) was created as part of a planning grant which began as a collaborative effort between Gunnison County, The Center for Mental Health, Western Colorado University, and the Health Coalition of the Gunnison Valley. These organizations applied for and received funds for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program planning grant.
Since then, 30 individuals and organizations have joined together to make up a consortium with the goal of addressing needs and gaps in opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery in the Gunnison Valley. It is important to note that although the focus of the grant is on opioid use disorder, this group is approaching the issue from a poly-substance lens. To get involved or learn more about the consortium's sub-groups, review the tabs above for each area.
Understanding Addiction
When conducting our Environmental scan and gaps analysis, one of the major gaps we identified was the stigma associated with addiction, and how that stigma often acts as an insurmountable barrier for those seeking treatment. This video, featuring community members and professionals, is an effort to start the conversation and change the narrative on addiction.
The education subcommittee meets every month to talk about and brainstorm education events can be implemented for the benefit of the public. To date, educational events have included trainings for medical providers that granted CME credits, and events for the public that are aimed at de-stigmatizing addiction.
To learn more or to participate, contact Kari Commerford via email at kcommerford@gunnisoncounty.org.
The messaging subcommittee focuses primarily on messaging efforts that are associated with the work the consortium has been doing. For example, recent efforts have focused on creating advertising materials for upcoming education events, such as the much anticipated showing of our locally made video “Understanding Addiction Through Connection”. Other efforts include spreading the word about the availability of Naloxone and upcoming drug take-back events.
To learn more or participate, contact Kyle Tibbett at ktibbett@gunnisoncounty.org.
The sober activities subcommittee focuses on brainstorming and implementing substance free events in Gunnison County. Historically, Gunnison County fosters a culture of substance use that can make it especially difficult for individuals who may be in active recovery. The sober activities subcommittee strives to implement sober-free activities as a measure of 1) assisting those who are in recovery, and 2) bolstering Gunnison County’s prevention efforts.
To learn more or participate, contact Eric Barker at ebarker@gunnisoncounty.org.