A regional networking event called NECO-S.T.I.R organized by Sarah Arntt, Administrator of the New Vision withdrawal management service at CommonSpirit St Elizabeth Hospital was held in Yuma Colorado on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
Arntt recognized the need for a collaborative approach towards resource sharing and the need for increased community education around what resources are in the northeastern region of Colorado. To help usher in the needed collaboration Arntt created the group Northeast Colorado- Share, Talk, Interact, Remember. NECO-S.T.I.R is a quarterly event hosted at different location around the region. The 2025 first quarter event was co-hosted by LaRetta Mallory of Community Blessings for Hope a non-profit organization in Yuma Colorado and the North Colorado Health Alliance Sterling team. NECO-S.T.I.R had more than 30 attendees from over 20 different organization and agencies from across the region and providers joining from the front range area.
The meeting started with attendees introducing themselves and their organization. A round table discussion was held on how to help break down barriers community members experience when looking for supports around mental health and behavioral health issues. Agencies represented where Yuma and Morgan County Department of Human services, Northeast Health Partners, Yuma District Hospital, Wray Hospital and Clinic, SARA House and many more. Arntt led the discussion by asking thought provoking questions including how can our agencies collaborate to support each other creating a regionally strong network? Where can outreach efforts go to better reach targeted audiences?
Attendees discussed issues such as transportation, stigma, and lack of awareness to what resources are available in the area. Dante Gonzales director of Centennial Mental Health (CMH) shared CMH can assist with transportation in the Sterling, Fort Morgan, and Yuma areas. Jannette Sims a supervisor at North Colorado Health Alliance (NCHA) Sterling office shared NCHA can support with transportation across the region as well and shares a transportation vehicle with Advocates for Recovery Sterling Chapter for addition transportation supports. Jack Devie of Milestone Community Wellness shared the struggles often felt in the Sedgwick and Phillips County areas around both lack of transportation options and in-person supports. All agencies participated in the discussion on ways to reduce stigma, increase community education about substance use prevention and treatment, mental health support, and how to help create an inclusive community for those in recovery.
Community Blessings for Hope is an organization founded to support individuals who are in the role of being a care giver. A care giver is someone who takes care of another person with life limiting conditions or chronic medical issues. Community Blessings for Hope is a place where the care giver can receive support, enjoy activities and self-care services at no cost through the non-profit program located 107 West 2nd Avenue , Yuma, CO 80759 for more information please reach out to LaRetta directly at (970) 302-9428 or communityblessings4hope@gmail.com
North Colorado Health Alliance is funded through Northeast Health Partners and is a service provided to individuals who receive Health First Colorado Medicaid benefits to offer peer supports and community care navigation services. For more information, please visit their website at https://northcoloradohealthalliance.org with offices located in Evans, Greeley, Loveland, and Sterling. To access or to learn more about New Vision withdrawal management please call toll free 800-939-2273 or to reach the Fort Morgan office located at 1000 Lincoln St Fort Morgan CO 80701 call 970-528-9916 or visit www.specialcarecorp.com.
If you would like to take part in the next NECO-S.T.I.R event to be held in Julesburg Colorado please email Sarah Arntt at sarntt@specialcarecorp.com to get on the invitation list.