Director's Corner
Many people assume that North Range offers treatment only for teens and adults with behavioral health issues. However, we have long believed that infant and early childhood mental health prevention and intervention services are key to healthier and more successful communities, families, and individuals. Studies show that the earlier parents and caregivers work with children to help them identify and manage their emotions and build safe and trusting relationships within families, the more likely the children will become healthy and emotionally resilient adults. And it’s becoming common knowledge that if a child suffers too many stressful experiences, they may likely suffer from poor psychological and physical health later.
Our early childhood program staff collaborates with talented and compassionate people across our county to promote and support our children’s emotional and social health as well as train parents, caregivers, and teachers. Join us in supporting children’s mental health and the people who make a difference in their lives.
Thanks,
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By the Numbers
- 20% of U.S. children have a mental health disorder.
- Up to 80% of those children do not get the support and services they need.
- 50% of those disorders occur before age 14.
(Center for the Study of Social Policy)
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In addition to traditional outpatient treatment for infants and children, we offer a robust set of programs under our Family Connects umbrella: Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), Parents as Teachers (PAT), SafeCare© Colorado, and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMH).
We recognize that a child’s mental health is directly related to how prepared parents feel as the child’s first and most influential teacher and caregiver. Children who start school behind their peers have a difficult time catching up and may continue to fall behind.
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters--an evidence-based, early literacy program known as HIPPY--outreaches to parents and families in our community to help prepare children for success in school. The focus of the support is equipping parents to support their children’s learning. This year, HIPPY has thirteen home visitors who serve families in several different languages: Rohingya, Somali, Karenni, Caren, Burmese, Spanish, and English. The HIPPY mentors work directly with parents in their homes and provide curriculum, books, and materials that parents can use during daily learning times. As HIPPY Vista Katie Greenwood, says, “HIPPY is discovering new pathways for children to learn and for parents to be active in their child’s learning.” Learn more.
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“I love being a HIPPY mentor. I get to be active in the community while helping families grow in their own unique ways.” Katie Greenwood, HIPPY Vista Mentor
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For more information about our Family Connects programs, please call us at 970.347.2120 and ask for Janis Pottorff or Juanita Puga.
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North Range works closely with the Child Welfare Division of Weld County Department of Human Services. Their mission, "To be a comprehensive, family-focused, and community-based system that promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being for children, youth and their families in Weld County through efficient interventions and service delivery” lines up well with our efforts to support the mental health of children.
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“We communicate with North Range on a regular basis and brainstorm well together to solve problems creatively. Most importantly, after many years of working together, our values and purpose are aligned—we are both committed to the idea that each child gets the right intervention at the right time, and the earlier the better.” Heather Walker, Child Welfare Division Director
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For example, North Range works with the department’s child welfare team to help childcare providers and the families of children who get suspended or expelled from daycare. Expulsions of children with challenging behaviors such as aggression, tantrums, and noncompliance are increasing across the county. We help by creating a wrap-around plan with the daycare and family – a plan that addresses the child’s environment, as well as educates the provider and family to redirect and support the child in more positive ways. This approach provides a stronger, family- and child-centered solution that better ensures the child’s long-term success.
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A child’s brain undergoes massive change and growth, especially from birth to age three—in fact, millions of neural connections are being produced each second in a baby’s brain. Affection, playing games, reading, and the simple act of feeding a child establish connections that build stronger, healthier brains.
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Early experiences affect the development of brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. Brains are built over time, from the bottom up. (Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University)
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The simple act of holding a baby supports development by offering sensory nourishment. Research tells us, too, that the conversations, songs, and stories a caregiver has with a baby in its first two years of life nurture verbal intelligence as well as emotional growth. Interactions with babies are much like a tennis game—what we call “Serve and Return” – and create the emotional and cognitive skills children need to learn and succeed in life. The positive and nurturing experiences a child has during this time determine the architecture of the brain and help them build skills in problem-solving, communication, self-control, and relationships. (Developing Child, Harvard).
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Older Adult Mental Health First Aid
October 19th
Strengthening Families Class
October 19–December 7
Project Connect
October 20th
Adult Mental Health First Aid
October 27th
Adult Mental Health First Aid (Fort Lupton)
December 1st
Colorado Gives
December 5th
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In early August, Senator John Cooke was honored with the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council's (CBHC) 2017 Community Behavioral Health Champion award. CBHC selects legislators who consistently advance public policy related to behavioral health, engage colleagues around behavioral health issues, and work to strengthen Colorado’s community-based behavioral health system. Senator Cooke has served on the North Range Board of Directors and has long been an advocate for behavioral health. Congratulations, Senator Cooke!
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The Female Opportunity Program (formally known as the Female Offender Program) is a collaborative between Weld County Probation and North Range for women involved in the criminal justice program with substance use and/or mental health challenges. In August, we celebrated the women in that program with a BBQ, picnic and rolled out the program’s new name, Female Opportunity Program. These women are doing the hard work of changing their lives, and we are happy to be a part of their recovery.
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Our Glimmer For Hope event was a resounding success! We raised $15,000 and had over 130 participants and 20 volunteers! North Range Suicide Education and Support Services (SESS) holds this annual event to remember those lost to suicide and to honor those who remain.
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Special thanks to all the sponsors of this year’s event!
Title Sponsor: Roche Constructors, Inc.
Platinum Sponsors
- Townsquare Media
- First National Bank Colorado
Gold Sponsors
- THIRST Living Waters Fund
- UCHealth
- Weld RE-4 School District
- Colorado Access
- Greeley Tribune
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Silver Sponsors
- Aims Community College
- Signarama
- Tobacco Free Coalition of Weld County
- BES - Business Equipment Service,Sales and Supplies
- Greeley Grown Golfers Fund
Bronze Sponsor
- A-Train Marketing
- Ketterling Family
- Carey Family
- Jenkins Family
- Computer Services Inc. - Fort Collins
- TCBY Centerplace
- Domino's Pizza - Greeley
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Weld County lost 48 lives to suicide in 2016. To donate to our Suicide Education and Support Services program, you can visit Colorado Gives. You may donate in memory or honor of someone you or a loved one lost to suicide. Your contribution will help support community and school SESS trainings, and survivor support groups.
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